Torquay triathlete Johanna Clark will compete at a global level during the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Spain next month. She spoke with Jena Carr about the event and what led her to start competing in triathlons.
Torquay’s Johanna Clark isn’t just a loving wife, mum of three, or skilled naturopath – she is also an award-winning triathlete.
The 42-year-old got into road cycling and triathlons close to nine years ago, helping to rekindle a passion she had in her teenage years.
“My first triathlon was when I was 17 when I was living in a little town called Donald,” she said.
“They put a little triathlon on at a nearby town, and I did it with my PE teacher in a team race, and I loved it.
“But I didn’t do my next one until I was 33 or 34, so there was a big time in-between, and I wish I had continued, but there just wasn’t that opportunity in small country towns.
“When I went to Melbourne to study, I fell into more running and yoga, and it wasn’t until my husband got a bike and was riding a bit, that I knew I wanted to do it again.”
After deciding to get back into triathlons, Johanna bought a proper bike and competed in her first Ironman 70.3 during 2020, where she placed third.
As the second-place winner declined their Ironman 70.3 World Championship spot in New Zealand for that year, the spot was then offered to Johanna, who had planned to compete before COVID-19 stopped her in her tracks.
But a global pandemic would not be enough to stop Johanna from following her world championship dream, nor would being hit by a car.
“I went and did the Melbourne 70.3 Ironman in November 2023, and I came second after getting hit mid-race by a car,” she said.
“Along the Esplanade in St Kilda, there’s a place where people can park at the beach, and this car came straight out onto the course where he stopped right in everyone’s way.
“I actually saw another bike nearly get hit by him, and all the volunteers and security were there telling him not to move.
“I attempted to go around him, but he didn’t understand what the volunteers were saying and put his accelerator down, and I went into the bonnet.
“Luckily, I just came away with some scratches, and my brand-new bike was totally fine as I somehow lifted into the air, and the bike fell on me.
“Nothing was stopping me as I knew this was the only opportunity for me to requalify for the worlds because with kids, work, and all this other stuff, there aren’t many 70.3 races you can do.
“So, I hopped back on my bike and finished the race, coming second by about 30 seconds.”
Johanna managed to get the spot back for the Ironman world championship in New Zealand and competed in Taupō last year, where she placed 12th in her age group despite being sick with whooping cough at the time.
Desperate to show the world what she’s got, Johanna will compete in her second world championship after taking out the Ironman 70.3 Geelong race’s top spot in her age group in March.
Johanna said she was looking forward to flying to Marbella in Spain next month to compete.
“I’m going to go with my dad, which will be super special, and I love getting involved in these competitions as it gets you into nature,” she said.
“To be able to go to these amazing places and do these cool things keeps me motivated, helps me look after myself while training and allows me to do special things with my family.
“I don’t expect any podiums, that’s for sure, but just being amongst girls that are my age from around the world will be great and… you’re racing the best, so it’s a good test.
“Based on what happened in Taupō last year, it’s quite an event for the whole week with lots going on as the whole town gets around the championships, so it’ll be beautiful and pretty special.”
If it wasn’t for the Ironman competitions, Johanna said she would be competing in a shorter distance triathlon or a similar type of race, as she enjoys participating in competitions.
“I learn a lot physically, mentally, and emotionally about myself… and racing to me means that I keep training, which is awesome,” she said.
“It’s also about showing my kids that their parents still value their own goals and dreams, as we must never stop doing that for ourselves.
“They need to see that I take care of my values, dreams and goals just as much as I care for them and help them achieve theirs as well.
“I’m a better mum, wife, and friend when I’m taking care of myself and being physically active.”
In preparation for the competition in Spain, Johanna recently participated in the UCI Gran Fondo World Cycling Championships in Lorne from 16 to 19 October and came 12th in the time trial’s female category.
Johanna said she loves the satisfaction and adrenaline she gets from training and racing.
“The long training sessions, the setbacks, the discipline, and the quiet wins that no one else sees – that’s where the real growth happens,” she said.
“The state that you get into when there’s nothing else you think of other than what you are doing at that moment is amazing… and I love that real presence that you get when you race out in nature.
“There’s nothing better than having that feeling and knowing that it’s benefiting your mind, body, and whole being, along with those around you.”
