Why Olympic champion Alex Yee will run the London Marathon
The Olympic triathlon champion in Paris 2024, Alex Yee, now faces a new and unexpected challenge: running the London marathon the next 27 for April.
With the intention of further improving his triathlon performance, Yee is embarking on a challenge he had never before explored: running the 42,195 kilometers on the road.
New goals after Olympic success
After her resounding success in Paris, Yee has decided to focus solely on running for the first few months of 2025. While it may seem like a risky move, her goal is clear: to further strengthen her running skills and then apply them to triathlon in future international competitions.
In Yee's own words: “The London Marathon has always been a question for me: whether it was the right thing to do, whether I could do it, and whether it fit. It never fit until this year.
After five years working in swimming and bike, the opportunity arose to work in running. My first question was: "Can I do some distance running, and most importantly, the London Marathon?"
Entering uncharted territory
He's never run a race longer than 10 kilometers in competition, but Yee is excited about this challenge. He admits that uncertainty and novelty generate a certain adrenaline rush, just what he needs to grow as an athlete.
“There are definitely risks, but also a lot of unknowns, which I find exciting.
"I've never done the volume of running I'm doing now, at these speeds or with such long sessions. I'm in an uncomfortable and unfamiliar zone where I know I'm going to learn and grow." Yee explains in his documentary.
Unprecedented training
Her preparation is intense and very different from her usual routine. Yee is racking up weeks of up to 120 km, with carefully controlled workouts, strictly following speed and heart rate metrics, which is a departure from her usual training style.
"I used to go out running and it was more about feeling. Now, each session has very clear goals: running at a 6-minute mile, monitoring my pulse... It's much more technical, but also very motivating." comments the Briton.
Total confidence in his coach
His trainer, Adam Elliott, fully supports this approach. He believes this experience can be key to discovering new skills and transferring them to triathlon, even paving the way for mixed training.
“Alex asked me if I thought running the London Marathon was a good idea, and I said yes. The timeframe between the Games and London is tight, but sufficient. This will improve his triathlon, open new doors, and, at the very least, give him a huge physical and mental challenge that could help him a lot in the long run.” explains Elliott.
Documentary that reveals his journey
This whole adventure is reflected in his documentary series Alex Yee: The Detour, where the athlete shares his day-to-day preparation, the difficulties he faces, and the emotions he experiences, revealing a human side that inspires athletes and fans alike.
In the first episode, Yee adds: "I'm really enjoying the process, even with the challenges. I've been sick twice, I had to withdraw from a half marathon and from Barcelona, but I'm keeping going.
“This is about understanding differences and changes, and I love not knowing what will happen or what the final outcome will be.”
