Harry Wiltshire has announced himself on the British long course racing scene by winning the 3rd edition of the award winning Outlaw. After suffering the disappointment of failing to be selected as part of the British Olympic squad – Wiltshire has embarked on a series of races to get over it quickly.

A very competitive run at Ironman 70.3 UK followed by this win at Outlaw has demonstrated that the former ITU star has what it takes to be a name at the longer racing. I caught up with Harry to hear about how he found the race and what changes he needs to make to further adjust to the long course game.

Hi Harry, congratulations on winning Outlaw! Your first long-course race – how did it pan out from your point of view?

It was my first Ironman, but I had a go at Alp d’huez long course a few years ago and ended up doing it on a borrowed bike after mine was stolen on race morning.  I ran a similar time to James Cunnama at Alp d’huez, but  a marathon off a bike was a whole new experience.

The swim and the bike went well. I’d been doing big swim bike weeks in the build up to Olympic selection, but I had not been running. I put in one 70k swim week so 3.8k wasn’t a problem.  Time trial bikes are very new to me and Outlaw was the third time I had ridden one, so I struggled the second half of the bike and the run was just survival. 

Entering Outlaw was a bit last minute – I presume you were looking to serve your apprenticeship at the long distance rather than having peaked your training towards this one?

The guys at Huub had asked me to do the swim as part of a relay team. The team didn’t come together and I said I’d do the bike as well. I hadn’t planned to run. I hadn’t done any specific training for the event. My racing schedule was focused around qualifying for the Olympic team. Having missed the team I’ve just been having fun trying different things.

I raced my home event in Bournemouth the weekend after Outlaw. It’s taken me 10 years to win my home race and I had to hurt to do it this year with the Marathon in my legs.

Outlaw winners have gone on to be solid WTC pro’s, what are your ambitions for the rest of the season and from longer racing?

I’m not really sure at the moment.

The Olympic build up over the last three years was full on. I’m enjoying mixing it up a bit and doing races that are fun.

I was planning to go along to Ironman UK this weekend, but I sliced my foot open water swimming last week so am not sure if I will be able to race.

Come the end of the season I will need to decide if I can make a living out of long distance racing. The last few years chasing the Olympic domestique slot I’ve been lucky to break even. If I commit to long course I need to know that it can pay my bills.

Whilst you have previous at longer courses, you’re probably better known for your Oly distance exploits. What amendments have you had to make in your training and what do you need to do to become even more competitive?

I need to learn to ride my time trial bike and practice longer solo efforts. I also need to do some running!

I have been lucky enough to train with athletes like Reinaldo Colucci and Chrissie Wellington in the past and I’m now based in Leeds with Phil Graves. I’ve got a good idea of the work I need to do, it’s buying the time to do it. 

Will we see you racing again in the UK soon anytime?

Yeah, I’ll get out as much as I can over the next few months. I’ll keep you posted!

Thanks Harry and best of luck for the rest of the season.