Weymouth-raised Ironman winner praises town after victory

Rachel Dumbrell, of Weymouth, crossed the line finish line at the Pavilion last Sunday in a time of 4:44:21 to take the crown of the fastest women at this year's event. 

The 26-year-old trainee doctor grew up in the seaside resort and attended Budmouth Academy, and it was here in Dorset where her love for sport first started. 

Pictures: Athletes cross the Weymouth Ironman finish line

Rachel Dumbrell crossing the finish line at this year's Weymouth Ironman 70.3 (Image: Graham Hunt Photography) "She said: I grew up in Weymouth and both my parents and grandparents still live here.

"The sport culture in Weymouth was a big part of me growing up and I joined the Weymouth Swimming Club and Dorchester Athletics Club.

"The support at Dorchester AC and the great coaching there there was a positive experience and is what kept me interested and as I got older. I carried on through secondary school.

"I started with sprinting and then I got recruited to Wimborne to do pole vaulting and I really enjoyed it and I just kept wanting to try new things."

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Rachel Dumbrell has graduated from King's College London where she has been studying medicine (Image: Rachel Dumbrell) Rachell left Weymouth to pursue a career in medicine and has been studying at Kings College in London.

She started rowing before getting into triathlon in 2022.

She said: "The Weymouth Ironman in 2022 was the first triathlon I trained for and I did quite well so I kept going with it.

"I think that summer I was just doing it for the fun of competing in a big sporting event in my town but I really enjoyed it and I picked up new hobbies like open water swimming and met so many people."

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As she began the gruelling 70 mile race this year, Rachel knew she had a 'small chance' of winning and has praised the support of the crowd for helping her get over the line. 

Rachel with her family after the race at the award ceremony (Image: Rachel Dumbrell)

She added: "I had such tremendous support but there was lots of competition so I could not ease up.

"My Mum and Dad were there and my partner, who competed in the men's race was there too, and he finished just before me and gave me my medal.

"It felt like half the town had turned up and it helped me forget how hard it was and allowed me to keep pushing myself.

"The run was probably the part I was most nervous about but on the day the atmosphere was amazing and the support was mind blowing."

Rachel Dumbrell racing towards the finish line in Weymouth after the gruelling 70mile race (Image: Graham Hunt Photography)

Now that Rachel has claimed the prestigious title, she has her sights set on competing on the professional circuit.

"The intention to do these events was for fun initially, but now I am going to try and get a pro licence as I would love to step it up to the elite level.," she added.

Next up on Rachel's radar is the Challenge Vieux Boucau middle distance triathlon, in France on October 5 before knuckling down and training over the winter ahead of the 2025 season.