38 | AustrAliAn triAthlete
Tim Reed
kickstarted an admirable career. In 2016,
Tim won his first Ironman 70.3 World
Championship, the ‘cherry on top’ of a
stretch of racing peppered with major
podiums across the world, including titles
and podiums at multiple ‘World Class’ half
iron distance races.
Looking for flexibility and freedom in
his program, Tim left Matt Dixon after his
inaugural full distance win at Ironman‘My drinking, binge eating and
terrible dancing aside, my values and
ethics around racing by the rules are
very black and white, and I’ve seen a
few things during races that have left
me devoid of any respect for certain
athletes who are generally quite well
respected by the broader triathlon
community. I’ve seen a highly
celebrated champion get a penalty in a
race and then draft a sponsor vehicle all
the way past me and nearly back to the
front group. I’ve seen champions
blatantly draft and others show a lack
of sportsmanship and honesty that has
left me a little bewildered.’
It was my husband that implored me to
interview Tim after meeting and racing
against him in Vietnam. ‘He’ll give an
interesting interview’ was the
recommendation. And he did. Tim’s
answers are far more enthralling than my
linguistic padding. Tim paints his own
portrait far better then I can, his
personality radiates warmth; a thinking
character with worries, intensity and an
obsessive streak, desirable in endurance
sport but which he clearly dislikes
of himself.
Tim Reed began triathlon as an age
grouper and quickly discovered he had a
real talent for the sport. In 2010 he hedged
his bets and decided to turn professional.
Three years later he joined forces with
Matt Dixon. It provided him with the
knowledge and guidance, whichThe triathlon results have been very
pleasing over those years, but it certainly
doesn’t come without a cost for both
Monica and the kids. — Tim Reed
GOOD TIMES: Back from a ride with Artie.FAMILY FIRST: Time to reflect with oscar, Artie and wife Monica.