Following last week’s announcement of the contracted athletes set to take on the August 9 showdown in London, today the PTO revealed the wildcard selections rounding out the field. These wildcards are more than just filler – they bring unpredictable race dynamics, fresh storylines, and the potential to disrupt the race series standings.
From an Olympic medalist to a comeback tale, here’s a closer look at the newest additions to the start list – and what they could mean for race day.
Georgia Taylor-Brown: The Olympian Takes on a New Challenge
No wildcard entry brings more Olympic prestige than Georgia Taylor-Brown. The 31-year-old Brit has earned every Olympic medal colour – silver individually and gold in the mixed team relay at the Tokyo Games, followed by a bronze in the mixed relay in Paris. Rounding out 2024, Taylor-Brown won the overall SuperTri title and made a sensational middle-distance debut, taking first at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain. Now, she’s set to make her T100 debut in front of a home crowd.
After the Paris Olympics, Taylor-Brown stated that she wanted to try something new. She joined the EF-Oatly-Cannondale women’s pro cycling team for a training camp near Girona and swapped out her road bike for a gravel bike, finishing third in the 100km Traka 360. She also recently raced at WTCS Hamburg, placing 14th, before announcing on Instagram: “That’s me done with WTCS for the year but plenty of triathlon races/participation to come.” Her next step? The Toronto SuperTri at the end of July, where she’ll line up as part of the Crown Racing Team.
Whether she’ll be in contention for the podium in London remains to be seen, but Georgia brings both star power and intrigue to the race. She’s a debutante at the distance, but not one to take lightly.
Holly Lawrence: On the Rise After Baby Poppy
After more than a year away from racing to welcome her daughter Poppy, 35-year-old Holly Lawrence is mounting an impressive comeback. Her third place finish at the Miami T100 in 2024 was her final race before maternity leave. Now, just months after returning, she’s finished 5th in San Francisco, 6th in Vancouver, and 5th in her Ironman debut at Lake Placid.
Lawrence has made a fast return to world class form. With a few more high quality training weeks and races now under her belt, she could easily outperform her previous 2025 T100 results in front of a home crowd. Watch for Lawrence to race with renewed fire and emotion in London – this wildcard could be a podium threat.
Daniela Kleiser: The Run Queen Who Can’t Be Counted Out
Germany’s Daniela Kleiser has been flying somewhat under the radar this season, but that may not last much longer. At 28, she’s proving herself as one of the best runners in the sport right now. She finished 10th in both the San Francisco and Vancouver T100s, but what stood out was how she got there: running her way through the field with some of the fastest splits we’ve seen.
In San Francisco, she posted the fastest run of the day (1:05:48), outpacing even Julie Derron, who ran down Taylor Knibb for the win. In Vancouver, she clocked the second-fastest split (1:03:51) behind Derron (1:03:24) over 18km.
And then there’s her pre-race comment at the pro panel before Swansea 70.3, where she confidently declared she’d open her half marathon at 3:15/km. While she “only” opened at 3:25/km, she still had the fastest run of the day – six and a half minutes quicker than one of the sport’s very best, Kat Matthews.
London’s flat and fast course could play to her strength. With fewer opportunities for breakaways on the bike, the run may be where this race is won or lost – and Kleiser will be eager to put her run legs to work, reeling in athletes one by one on the multi-loop course along the Thames.
Lisa Perterer: Quietly Dangerous
Austria’s Lisa Perterer doesn’t bring flashy headlines, but her performances in 2025 have quietly made her a noteworthy contender over the middle and long distance. She burst onto the 100km scene with a surprise second place in Singapore, followed by a third place finish at Ironman Texas behind Taylor Knibb and Kat Matthews. She also took second at Lake Placid this past weekend. In sum, she’s proven capable of racing with the best.
Kate Curran: A Comeback Worth Cheering For
Kate Curran’s name on the start list is a story in itself. The 29-year-old Brit only recently turned pro in 2023. She made a name for herself with strong finishes at Ironman 70.3 Elsinore and Les Sables D’Olonne, and received wildcard invites to three T100 races in 2024 (Ibiza, Las Vegas, and the Grand Final in Dubai).
However, her 2025 season took a turn for the worse: a serious bike accident left her with major injuries and required shoulder reconstruction surgery on May 12. Her recovery has been brutally honest and emotionally raw. In an Instagram post, she shared: “…hell hath no fury like an athlete with months of stored up frustration.” Now, less than three months post-surgery, she’s set to line up at one of the biggest races of the season.
Curran is unlikely to contend for a top result in London, but her mere presence is inspiring. The triathlon community will be cheering for her every step of the way, and her journey back to racing is a reminder of the resilience that defines this sport.
What’s Next
Hanne De Vet, Lizzie Rayner, and Grace Alexander round out the final wildcard slots. And with the field now complete, the women’s London T100 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated races of the season.
In case you missed it, click here for our breakdown of the contracted athletes announced last week.
The post PTO T100 Wildcards Announced for London Women’s Race appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.