Emma Broadhurst placed seventh in the world triathlon championships at Wollongong, Australia, last week.
Here she tells her story of the day.
The calm before the storm
Up at 6 a.m. for the classic combo of porridge, banana, and two cups of tea (one simply isn’t enough before a world championship). Tattoos went on — slightly off-centre, but nobody was checking for artistic accuracy — and I was soon making my way down to transition.
Race prep
Transition was a sight to behold: a sea of awesome bikes, Aussie kits everywhere, and that delicious hum of pre-race focus.
My kit was dialled in — wetsuit ready, bike primed, and new goggles straight from the expo. A few fellow competitors borrowed my pump (always happy to share some race-day karma), and after a final gear check, it was time to focus.
Swim: 750m of controlled chaos
Conditions outside the harbour had gone a bit wild, so the swim course was adjusted last minute. I got down early to check it out and for a quick acclimatisation dip — I somehow found myself the first in the starting pen. The announcer joked that I’d take “gold” if he didn’t let anyone else through. I briefly celebrated. I liked him immediately.
On the start pontoon, I lined up beside Naomi Reynolds (2025 AG European Champ) and her super-fast Kiwi mate. Bold choice, I know. The horn went and I raced in. The lead pair vanished, so I tucked into the chase pack, exiting the water somewhere around 7th, heading into T1 with purpose. A quick transition set the tone nicely — one of my best yet.
Bike – drafting, drama, and dodging disaster
Out onto the bike, I found an ally in Helen Hutchinson from Australia, who introduced herself as “actually British” as we came together — which immediately made her my favourite person on course. We worked brilliantly together, taking turns and keeping the pace between us.
Then — drama. The 180° turn appeared out of nowhere. I slammed the brakes, skidded, and my back wheel bunny-hopped like a caffeinated kangaroo. Somehow, I stayed upright and on course. I breathed a sigh of relief. The chase pack caught us midway through the second lap — faster pace, less effort — the sweet spot. It was a tactical decision to remain with them and not to try and make any moves now.
There’s nothing quite like the energy of a pack— focused, fierce, and absolutely flying. We all hit T2 together, where the drama continued as both Ami Hodges (fellow GB’er) and I managed to lose a bike shoe in the dismount. The official yelled, “Keep going!”, so we did!
Run – the showdown
The run course was buzzing — crowds, flags, cowbells, and that magical mix of exhaustion and adrenaline. I settled into pace, trying to stay composed as I faced the most important 5km run I’d ever done. I could hear the cheers all along the route. It was incredible!
By the final lap, a few small battles played out on the road, each one pushing me a little harder. The finish carpet came into view, the roar of the crowd got louder, and I emptied the tank completely.
I crossed the line in 7th place in the world, with mere seconds separating several of us — a proper world championship finish!
The post-race zone was perfect: medals, massages, and food (free food — the best kind). I tracked down my missing shoe, swapped stories with new friends, and basked in that finish-line glow.
Celebrations took an unexpected detour when Iris needed a hospital trip for an X-ray (thankfully just a sprain), but we still made it back to cheer on Patience Lamb in the junior elite race before rounding off the day with a well-earned BBQ.
Final thoughts
Wollongong delivered an incredible race — beautiful course, world-class competition, and a fantastic atmosphere. Every second counted, every turn tested us, and every cheer helped us find another gear.
I’m thrilled with 7th in the world, grateful for the support from everyone back home, and my entourage who have followed me to the other side of the world, literally. I’m already looking forward to what’s next…