From Down Under to New Heights: Stu Hadley’s Duathlon Adventure

Welcome to Part Two of our Q&A interview duel. Our Test Manager, Stu Hadley, shares his feelings about competing at such a high level, the invaluable support he received from his coach and team, and the unforgettable experiences he had while travelling to Australia. He also gives special shout-outs to those who helped him along the way and offers insights into his future goals and upcoming races.

1. How did it feel to compete in an international event, representing nFocus and your country?

"I had to keep pinching myself to believe it was real! Representing my country is the ultimate dream in my sport. Just a year ago, it seemed like something other people did, not something I could ever imagine for myself. It all started after training for Ironman UK in June 2024, when I began to entertain the idea of qualifying for something bigger. At the time, it felt like a pipe dream. But with a lot of hard work, the right coaching, and relentless effort, it became a reality. The experience was made even more special by the support from nFocus and the pride of pulling on a jersey with my name and "GB" on it. That's a privilege not everyone gets to experience, and it felt incredible.

The trip was filled with unforgettable moments, but pulling on that jersey and competing in a sport I love, in a different country, surrounded by athletes from all over the world, was truly a dream come true."

2. Many people were following your progress; would you like to give a special ‘shout out’ to anyone?

"Even though racing as a duathlete is mostly a solo effort, the training and prep are totally a team effort. My coach, Mike James, has been instrumental in my journey. I've worked with him for a couple of years now, starting when I first set my sights on Ironman UK, and his guidance has been crucial in getting me to where I am today.

I've also had the support of Andrea, a wonderful sports physio who has helped keep my body in top condition with monthly sports massages. Then there's the triathlon club I'm a member of, where I've trained with some incredible people. They've been there with me, waking up at 5:30am in the morning, meeting me for training sessions at 6:30am, offering encouragement, and providing invaluable advice. Up until I qualified, I had only ever done one duathlon before this year. But with the support of all these people, I transitioned from triathlons to duathlons, met great training partners, and received loads of advice along the way.

I also wanted to thank those who've supported me on this journey. It's been incredible, and I'm grateful to Mike, Andrea, as well as everyone at nFocus and of course, my wife, for helping me get to Australia. Wearing the Team GB colours was a special experience, and I couldn't have done it without their support. So, thank you to everyone who's been part of this journey with me; I truly appreciate it."

3. That’s wonderful to hear! Travelling to the other side of the world must have been quite an adventure. Can you share some of your travel experiences with us? How did you handle challenges like jet lag or the long hours of sitting during the flight?

"The journey to Australia was a long and tiring one, but overall, it went relatively smoothly. We started with a six-and-a-half-hour flight from Birmingham to Dubai, followed by a layover of around two and a half to three hours. From there, we embarked on a 14-hour flight from Dubai to Brisbane, where we had another 2.5-hour wait before the final two-hour flight to Townsville.

Adjusting to Australian time was crucial, and I knew the best way to do this was by trying to sleep according to Australian time. However, staying awake during the flight proved challenging, especially after nearly a full day of travel. Fortunately, Emirates made the experience more bearable with their extensive selection of films and constant food service, which was greatly appreciated.

Upon arriving in Australia, we landed in Townsville, which is about a 25-minute cab ride from the airport to the city centre. The journey was straightforward, and once settled, we enjoyed exploring the area. Townsville is a well-known stop between Brisbane and Cairns, so many travellers are familiar with it.

We also did a bit of sightseeing around Townsville, taking in the coastal views and local attractions. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting a wildlife sanctuary, where we saw koalas, kangaroos, snakes, and some enormous alligators. It was a fantastic experience and a great way to immerse ourselves in Australia's wildlife.

As our trip came to an end, it was a relief to check in our bags and relax at the airport. I ordered some food, had a couple of beers, and watched a film on my iPad while waiting for our flight. Once again, Emirates’ in-flight entertainment helped pass the time. If you're looking for something funny to watch, I highly recommend Curb Your Enthusiasm; it's one of the funniest shows I've seen."

4. I will have to add that to my list of things to watch! Could you share a favourite moment or experience from your time in Australia, outside of the race itself?

"One of the highlights of the trip was meeting like-minded athletes who quickly became good friends. I reconnected with a friend I'd met once before, and through him, I got to know a guy named Mark, who I met in Brisbane, and we happened to be staying in the same hotel. We ran together on Saturday, biked together on Friday, and even shared meals every night. Mark, who lives in Northampton, and Chris, who lives in London, both became good friends, and we've already planned to meet up again at the next race."

5. That’s lovely! What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming races or goals you're aiming for?

"That's a great question. Right now, I don't have any more races planned for the rest of the year. However, I've qualified for next year's Duathlon World Final, which will be held in Pontevedra, Spain. I'm also in contention for a spot in the European Duathlon Championship, and I should find out in November whether I've secured that slot.

It feels a bit strange not to have anything immediately lined up after working towards this for a year, but I'll be meeting with my coach soon to discuss what's next.

One thing that's become clear from the Australia race is that while my running is strong, my biking still needs improvement. So, my focus is on maintaining my strength and conditioning routine. I'll continue running as usual but put more effort into improving my cycling.

Looking ahead, I'm also considering entering a 70.3 race. There are plenty of those events, and there's always a world final at the end of the year. I'm thinking about qualifying for that in addition to competing in the Duathlon World Championships and, hopefully, the European Championship.

If everything goes well, I could aim for a qualifying race that might take me to the world finals in 2025 or 2026. It's something I need to look into, but for now, there isn't anything concrete on the horizon.

Even though I enjoy the process of training, whether it's cycling, running, or lifting weights, sometimes it's nice to have a bit of downtime. That said, I'm still committed to staying in shape and keeping busy!"

Thank you for reading, and we hope you feel as inspired as we do by Stu’s remarkable achievements. We at nFocus are super proud of Stu, and we’re thrilled to have been part of his race journey. Congratulations, Stu, on all your hard work and accomplishments!