Paralympics paratriathlon results: US superstar Grace Norman runs away from British duo Cashmore and Steadman for Paris 2024 gold

Grace Norman claimed a brilliant victory for the PTS5 women at the Paris 2024 Paralympics as she surged clear of Britain’s Claire Cashmore and Lauren Steadman for a deserved gold medal.

The big three were locked together after the swim and bike in the French capital, but it was the American’s superior run form which carried the day as she surged clear in the closing 5k leg.

Cashmore stuck on valiantly to claim a superb silver while defending Olympic champion Steadman – who had not competed internationally this year due to an Abu Dhabi cancellation and COVID – claimed a brilliant bronze.

Swim – Big guns at the front

The field exited the waters of the Seine with the podium from Tokyo 2021 right at the front of affairs, as expected. Norman had an advantage of literally a solitary second over Cashmore, with defending champion Steadman a further 14 seconds away in third. Canada’s Kamylle Frenette was just over 40 seconds off the pace in fourth.

Already at this stage it was looking like the dream race for the medals was well and truly on, so what further clues would the 20km bike leg have in store?

Bike – Setting up a thrilling finish

Cashmore claimed an 11-second lead over Norman with a swift transition through T1 with Steadman getting onto her bike just five seconds behind her great American rival in third.

The first half of the bike leg was absolutely fascinating, and it was Steadman who made the move to bridge up to the leaders as she took over at the front. But it was still very close with just three seconds separating Lauren, Norman and Cashmore.

By the time the field reached the 15km mark of the 20km course Steadman was still in front but just a couple of seconds clear of Norman in second with Cashmore a further five seconds away. It was thrilling stuff with the big guns all in the running.

We were heading somewhat into the unknown now with no 2024 past meetings between the trio, and Norman showed she was right there and fighting for gold by reclaiming the lead from Steadman with just over 3km remaining on two wheels. The gap at the front remained at just two seconds with Cashmore still sitting a further five seconds back.

Heading into T2 the big three were all locked together with just nine seconds separating them. Norman shading it from Steadman with Cashmore seven seconds further back. A thrilling 5km run now separated one of them from glorious gold.

Frenette was away in fourth so barring disasters our podium was set. Now the big question was who would top it? Previous run form suggested Norman was favourite for gold right now.

Run – Amazing Grace races to victory

Steadman claimed a three-second advantage heading out onto the run following a swift transition. Cashmore came next, with Norman right with her. The next 5km promised epic racing. Could the Brits live with Grace?

It was Norman who made the first major move on the run, passing Cashmore and Steadman to move 15 seconds ahead of Claire and 21 ahead of Lauren. Would the move be decisive? We had under 4km now to find out.

By the next split at 1.75km of the 5km course, it appeared that Norman’s early move would indeed by a race-winning one. She had extended her advantage to 32 seconds over Cashmore with Steadman now 43 seconds back in bronze position.

With just 2km remaining Norman’s advantage was now just under a minute with Cashmore and Steadman unable to live with their brilliant American rival.

Grace took the bell with 1.3km in the almost certain knowledge that this was a victory lap – she led Cashmore by more than 90 seconds and Steadman by more than two minutes. And Norman duly stormed home to take the tape and a glorious gold medal with Cashmore and Steadman taking the other places on the podium after valiant efforts.