Haley Chura

Haley’s professional triathlon debut came at the end of the 2012 season when she finished seventh in IRONMAN Arizona. She followed it up with her first professional victory at 70.3 New Orleans in 2013.

Wins at Challenge Florianopolis and IROMAN Fortaleza in 2014 followed for the American before she suffered a career-threatening accident in 2015. Haley was hit by a car while out cycling three weeks before the 2015 World Championship, breaking her leg.

The accident affected her significantly, both physically and mentally, and at times she was terrified to venture outside. But with professional help, Haley overcame her fears and returned to the sport.

Since that return Haley has once again showed her elite talent by winning over 70.3 at Coeur d’Alene and Buenos Aires in 2017, winning again at Coeur d’Alene in 2018 alongside a victory at Waco before a solo success at Bariloche in 2019.

It’s no surprise that her return to the sport after her accident is the proudest achievement in her life to date, in stark contrast to her most embarrassing moment when she told a fellow competitor she was having ‘gastrointestinal issues’, not realising her microphone was on and the whole press conference heard her announcement!

Haley loves a book, loves a beer and is afraid of a number of things - notably mice, insects, getting hit by a car, nuclear war and a global economic collapse. She knew growing up she’d be a triathlete as both her parents raced in the Bud Light Triathlon series in the late 80’s.

Haley is a huge Taylor Swift fan, and her hype song ahead of a race is “Shake it Off”.

The best advice anyone has given Haley is to “focus on your breathing, your form and the current interval” and she says it is best to “be patient” during a race.