One to Watch: Grace Thek is Prepared for IRONMAN Texas

April 16, 2026

After a brilliant runner-up performance in her full-distance debut at Challenge Roth last year, Australia’s Grace Thek arrives in The Woodlands as one of the women to watch at this weekend’s IRONMAN Texas North American Championship. While all eyes will be on the racing between defending champ Kat Matthews, Kona champ Solveig Løvseth and Taylor Knibb, Thek is one of a number of potential podium contenders who could run her way to a top finish should any of the big three falter on Saturday.

I say run, especially, because of Thek’s background on that front – she helped Providence College to a national title in her final year (2013) as the instrumental fifth runner. As is so often the case with triathletes, numerous injuries saw her move to triathlon – in 2018 she came within seven seconds of running to the win at IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong at her first professional race.

Grace Thek’s Journey from NCAA XC Champ to IRONMAN 70.3 Success

She started 2026 off with another runner-up finish in Geelong, this time to Matthews, and followed that up with a fourth-place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 California, a finish she was happy with considering she was packing in the training miles in preparation for this weekend.

“The whole year has been focused around this race – I’m hoping to get a Kona qualifying slot here,” she says. “I feel fit, healthy and ready to rock. It’s been a great start to the season, particularly with my training geared towards the full.”

We caught up with Thek at the Quintana Roo booth in the IRONMAN Texas expo after it had been tuned up for her race on Saturday. On Monday she’ll be heading to Chattanooga, Tennessee to the Quintana Roo headquarters to pick up a new bike – this time an extra small after the company announced it would be launching both an XS and XL version of the V-PRi this year.

“Obviously, being small – I’m only 5 feet tall – I’ve always struggling with finding a bike that fits,” she says. “I’m really excited that Quintana Roo has decided to make an extra small and I’ll be able to optimize my fit even further.”

Is she worried that she’s taking on one of the toughest fields ever assembled for a full-distance race outside of Kona?

“I don’t shy away from racing the fastest or the best athletes, and I’m excited to see where I’m at,” she says. “It’s a good test and hopefully seeing their level will elevate my level as well. Obviously, during race week, there’s some nerves. It was July, last year, when I did my last one, so I’ve forgotten how hard it can be, but I’m working on getting my mind set for how it’s going to be on Saturday.”

We’ll certainly be keeping our eyes on Thek this weekend, but before then we’ve got these photos to share of her ride for this weekend’s race.