Episode
Who Really Gets Paid? Pro Triathlon Money, Draft Zones & the NC500 Record Bid
- Podcast
- The Triathlon Brick Session
- Published
- Jan 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4440
- Processing state
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Summary
In this episode of The Brick Session, Mark and Caroline dive into the money side of professional triathlon: who’s actually getting paid, where the prize money is coming from, and why only a small group of top athletes can make a real living from the sport. They unpack the structural issues behind the current system, what it means for up‑and‑coming pros, and how the landscape might need to change. We also get into Ironman’s proposed 20m draft zone. Will it make racing fairer and more honest, or simply create new headaches on course? Mark and Caroline explore why they’re in favour of the change, while acknowledging the very real logistical challenges it could bring for race organisers and athletes alike. Mark then turns the focus to training discipline, accountability, and routine. He shares practical thoughts on how to build consistency into your day-to-day life, and why small, repeatable habits often matter more than any “perfect” training plan when it comes to long‑term performance. Finally, Caroline and Mark talk about her ambitious bid to break the world record on Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500 this summer. They discuss the planning, physical demands, and mental resilience required for such a challenge, and what this attempt means to Caroline both as an athlete and as a person. Tune in for a mix of honest chat, practical training insight, and a look behind the scenes at a major endurance record attempt in the making.