Racing Her Way: Loren Ward on Growth, Presence, and Purpose

As I crossed the finish line at Weston Park in the UK—having just completed both the Sprint and Full Distance races on consecutive days—a fellow athlete came up to me and asked:

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“How do you manage to look like you're having so much fun while still racing so well?”

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The answer is simple: I don’t just look like I’m having fun. I genuinely am having fun. When I focus on enjoying the journey and controlling what I can—my mindset, my behaviour, the way I support others—I’m already being the best version of myself. And to me, that’s all that matters, regardless of the result.

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But before we get to how it ended, maybe it's worth sharing how this off-road journey even began, what makes it feel so empowering, and why this space just feels different.

Before I found my way into off-road adventure, I was deep in training for my first full-distance Ironman. At the time, I was growing tired of road running—both physically and mentally. I found myself battling traffic, dodging cars, and constantly checking my pace. I’d fallen into a trap: if I wasn’t hitting a certain number on my watch, I thought I wasn’t good enough.

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So I made a change. I started doing more of my longer runs on trails. Instantly, it felt different—peaceful, freeing, enjoyable. I stopped worrying about pace. I stopped looking at my watch. I just ran. I was more consistent because I was finally enjoying it, and I was getting better as a result. Best of all, I could run with my dog, which was a game-changer for my time-starved schedule as a business owner.

“Mountain biking became the perfect outlet. I could spend hours exploring without venturing far.”

During lockdown, I rediscovered my love for mountain biking. I wanted to train responsibly, stay local, and still challenge myself. Mountain biking became the perfect outlet. I could spend hours exploring without venturing far. That experience stuck with me and shaped the way I train—and live—ever since.

My first off-road triathlon was XTERRA Weston Park in 2023, and I absolutely loved it. I saw that XTERRA was returning to the UK for the first time in years, and I knew I had to give it a go. The whole event had this relaxed, friendly energy that immediately suited my personality more than the high-pressure feel of many road events.

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I came back in 2024 ready to do both races—the Sprint on Saturday and the Full Distance on Sunday—because I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Some might say doubling up could hurt performance, especially on the second day, but racing well was never the point for me.

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What mattered most was making the most of the opportunity: testing my execution off the back of diligent preparation, soaking in the atmosphere, and sharing the experience with the team of Passion Fit coached athletes I lead.

At Passion Fit, we focus on aligning performance with purpose. That means helping athletes define goals that are truly their own, and creating a space where those goals—whatever they may be—are respected, supported, and celebrated. Racing alongside this group, and watching them lift each other up with genuine care and enthusiasm, reminded me exactly why I love what I do.

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Where I placed compared to the other women wasn’t how I defined success. I define it by how I show up. Was I grateful? Did I act in a way that reflects my values? Did I prepare well, support others and contribute positively to the experience?

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In both races, I made a point of connecting with the people around me—thanking my support crew, chatting with other women on the course, encouraging my competitors to work together with me. We had a women-only wave this year, which created such a powerful dynamic. We weren’t just racing—we were lifting each other up. We were showing what it looks like when women race with each other rather than against each other.

As Head Coach of the Passion Fit Community, this mindset is something I carry into everything I do. One of the core behaviours we teach is goal setting—but not in the traditional sense. We ask our athletes to set goals that are truly their own. Not goals they think they should have, or ones others expect them to have. Goals that are aligned with who they are and what they want their life to feel like.

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When someone tells me their goal, I always ask: why? If they can’t answer that clearly and meaningfully, we go back to the drawing board. If the motivation isn’t deeply rooted—if it’s not something they feel compelled to pursue—it’s probably not the right goal yet.

“If the motivation isn’t deeply rooted—if it’s not something they feel compelled to pursue—it’s probably not the right goal yet.”

That’s why I never judge athletes by their finish times, power numbers, or podiums. I look at their behaviours. Are they choosing a mindset that supports them? Are they adding value to others? Are their actions aligned with their goals, and do those goals fit with the rest of their life?

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When we get those inputs right—the controllable things—the outputs usually take care of themselves.

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That’s exactly how I approached Weston Park. Not chasing a result. Just chasing the joy of movement, the power of community, and the chance to be fully present. And in doing that, I raced well—but more importantly, I felt fulfilled.

The most meaningful part of the weekend wasn’t my finish—it was watching the Passion Fit athletes support each other with everything they had. The camaraderie, the enthusiasm, the way they cheered louder for their teammates than they did for themselves—that’s what makes me proudest.

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They understand now that in five years’ time, it won’t be their splits they remember—it will be the people. The moments. The experience of being part of something.

If there’s one thing I hope others—especially women—take away from my story, it’s that the right environment makes everything possible. You will not be judged. You will be encouraged. You will feel more confident to try something new. And when you surround yourself with role models who embody the behaviours that lift you up—not just the fastest athletes—you’ll start to thrive in ways you didn’t expect.

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That’s what this race was for me. And I hope it can be that for many more women to come.