Fast, Focused, Fearless: Tom Mythen's Triathlon Journey

At 16, Tom Mythen won his first GB vest at the European Youth Triathlon in Austria. He talks 20-hour training weeks, relying on discipline over motivation, and the family support behind a breakthrough year.

Written by Daniel Jelfs 6 January 2026 440 words — reads

Tom Mythen running in a GBR triathlon suit, finishing a race in Kitzbühel, Austria — Tom representing Great Britain in Austria.

Tom Mythen, a 16-year-old triathlete from South West London, has turned heads this season, breakthrough races, dominant performances in both triathlon and running, and his first GB selection, for the European Youth race in Austria. How has he done it? What's the secret to his success?

Finding triathlon

Mythen's sporting journey started young, across a diverse range of sports: tennis, hockey, cricket. But throughout his early youth, running and triathlon were always what he loved most. He joined St Mary's Richmond Athletics Club in Year 7 and found success in the Met League cross country races. As he moved through his teens, that passion for triathlon grew, and he fully committed to the sport in Year 11, joining the London Regional Academy and receiving elite-level coaching from James Beckinsale, Head of the Optima Racing Team.

The weekly load

A typical training week for Mythen is nothing short of incredible: over 20 hours of exercise, including six swims, three runs, three bikes, three gym sessions, and a complete rest day on Friday. Asked how he stays motivated and disciplined enough to stick to that routine every day, he's honest about it: "I am not always motivated, but then you have to rely on the discipline which pushes you to the elite level and makes you a performance athlete."

20 HOURS Mythen's typical training week: six swims, three runs, three bikes, three gym sessions, one rest day.

What's next

Mythen's ambitions for the next stage of his journey are clear-eyed, aimed at giving himself the best shot at the Olympics eventually. "Make the next GB team again this summer, as well as push new limits, whilst continuing to love the training and feel progression."

A breakthrough year

2025 gave him no shortage of results: winning the Surrey Schools Cross Country Championships, winning nationals in triathlon, and forming part of the fastest under-17 running team in England. Asked about his proudest moment of the year, he doesn't point to a result at all.

Being selected for the GB team for the European Youth Under-18 triathlon race in Austria, whilst being only 16 and coming 11th. Along with having my parents there to watch, especially after a hard start to the year with injuries and poor races, it felt like everything finally paid off, and it really was a very special day for me. Tom Mythen

The recipe

Asked what he thinks lies behind the season he's had, Mythen doesn't point to one thing. "I would say dedication, consistency, not giving up through injuries, structured training from a great coach, and, most importantly, huge amounts of support, encouragement and love from family."