World Triathlon Edward Castro (GBR) ahead of the 2022 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships Abu Dhabi.
How did you get into multisport / Triathlon?
I was a swimmer at Bath Intensive Training Centre (ITC) which was set up to deliver medals at the highest level including London 2012. At the start of 2012 I split some tendons in my shoulder and therefore could no longer swim at the intensities required. I still went to the London 2012 Olympic swimming trials but as a result of my injury I did not swim to my potential and did not make the team. Two months later I entered the City of Bath triathlon as something fun to do with some old university friends. I won the event and I was hooked.
Have you represented Team GBR at a World Triathlon Championships before?
I have competed in 8 World Championship events previously covering both sprint and standard distances, and I have won 3 of them and made the podium in six of the races.
What would you consider your best achievement (in Sport) to date?
My best achievement in sport came in 2018 when I won the Sprint and Standard triathlons back-to-back on the Gold Coast, becoming double World Champion. But overall I am proud of my progress from 100th at my first British Championships to becoming a multiple British and international champion in triathlon.
What does your weekly training schedule look like and what’s your favourite part of it?
I have a full-time job as a swimming coach in a school and I run sessions before and after school. This means I have to carefully plan my training. I get up before school swimming so I am on the turbo at 5am three mornings a week, and the other two I get up and do a swim myself before work. I run with my triathlon club two evenings a week and then I try to get a long ride in at the weekends along with turbo sessions 3 nights a week after school. My favourite sessions are going out on the bike really early when the sun is just coming up on a clear day - there is nothing better.
Where is your favourite place to train? Do you train solo or with a group?
During the lockdown I bought my first house and I built a training room into my garage. It has multi-coloured lights and a giant union flag on the wall and it’s my place to go and work hard! I generally train on my own except for running when I enjoy running with the group at my club.
Who is the most interesting/inspiring person you’ve met through the sport?
Katherine Granger came and did a talk my school and I really enjoyed how she came into sport so late and was still able to excel at multiple Olympic Games. She’d never even been in a boat until university! At the end of the evening, she signed my program and said “Well done on making the move from an aspiring swimmer to an inspirational coach” which, as cheesy as it sounds, was lovely and sticks with me.
What are you hoping to get out of the experience in Abu Dhabi?
A tan! My aim at an international is always to feel that I have performed at my best and to attain a podium place. I also love the team environment of international events and am looking forward to seeing old friends and rivals and meeting the new people on the team! There are so many people in the same boat who are not elite athletes and are fitting this in around full-time jobs but still aiming to perform as well as they can and it’s an inspiring environment.
Do you have any family members who are involved in Triathlon? If so – how great is it to share training sessions together, stories, race experiences?
No. My wife is a happy supporter of me and it’s useful that she carries my bag, takes good photos and manages my social media when I’m racing!
Why Triathlon Ed?
I enjoy the challenge of balancing the three different sports, and the variety of training that brings compared to just doing one sport. I really enjoy the team camaraderie with everyone there trying to perform to their best and achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
Who do you think will win the Elite world titles (in the overall World Triathlon Championship Series) in 2022?
I would obviously love to see Georgia Taylor-Brown win but I think it will be really close with Flora Duffy who loves a tough head-to-head race. I think that will be a fantastic race whatever the outcome. I’d have to go for the Brit on the men’s side as well, I absolutely love watching Alex Yee run, it’s spectacular. However, Hayden (Wilde) will push him to the wire!
Aspiring to be a World Triathlete? Contact your National Federation to find out how to represent your country at the World Triathlon level.
