One of them is Australian triathlete Jack Hubbard, who is looking forward not only to racing under the White Tower but also to discovering Czech culture and experiencing new sporting challenges.
Jack Hubbard has already competed in several marathons and triathlons. Where has he raced so far? “I’ve been fortunate to participate in IRONMAN races in some incredible places, including Cairns, Mallorca, and Wales. I’ve taken part in both 70.3 events and full-distance races,” Hubbard shared.
However, this will be his first time at IRONMAN 70.3 Hradec Králové. Why did he choose this race in the city under the White Tower? „I decided to race in Hradec Králové because triathlon allows me to combine my passion for sport with traveling to unique and interesting places around the world. Initially, I didn’t know much about this race, but after seeing photos from the 2024 event, I was inspired to take part. It stood out to me as something completely different from the places I had raced before, like Mallorca or Cairns. I was particularly drawn to the idea of swimming in a river, as it’s an experience I’ve always wanted to try,” the Australian triathlete explained.
He also shared his goals for the race in Hradec Králové: „My goal for the Hradec Králové race is to improve my personal best, aiming to go sub-4:45 if everything goes well. Beyond that, I’m really looking forward to enjoying the unique race atmosphere and experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the locals.“
„I’ve never been to the Czech Republic, but from the stories I’ve heard from friends and the photos I’ve seen, I’m really looking forward to experiencing it. I’ve also never explored the Balkans, so I think this trip will be an incredible cultural adventure overall,“ the young Australian admitted.
As he mentioned, the Czech Republic won’t be his only destination—thanks to his work in the navy, he’ll have the chance to visit other parts of Europe as well. „My job takes me to different places, so I try to make the most of every opportunity to explore. I’ll be in Europe for the summer, spending most of my time in the Balkans and Spain.“
In addition to triathlon, he plans to take on a marathon—and maybe even more… “In October, I’ll be running the Palma Marathon, where I hope to set a new personal best. Overall, this year will have fewer races for me, but that could still change.”