Heather Wurtele (née Danforth, born 12 July 1979) is a retired Canadian professional triathlete who raced long-distance, non-drafting triathlon events. She achieved over 60 career professional triathlon podium finishes and 30 plus career wins, including 25 half iron distance wins and 7 Ironman wins. Her career highlights include placing third at the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, second at the 2015 Ironman 70.3 World Championship and third at the 2014 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. She also placed 3rd at the ITU Long Course World Championships in 2017 and won the North American 70.3 Championships in 2015 and 2016.

Career Wurtele grew up in Vernon, British Columbia and attended Clarence Fulton High School. While focused on academics growing up she also enjoyed downhill skiing and played volleyball and basketball. Despite her size being an advantage in the latter two sports, and excelling as a middle blocker in volleyball, she admitted that she was not very good at basketball and had no ball handling skills. She then attended the University of British Columbia where she was on the varsity rowing team for four years and would earn a degree forest genetics. She continued on in academia at the University of Victoria earning a master's degree in plant physiology.

Wurtele participated in adventure racing for two years, but grew tired of the equipment intensive sport and didn't enjoy orienteering. Wurtele moved on to participate in a few triathlons in 2004, having some modest success in her age group. She moved to Norway in 2005 so that she could pursue a doctoral degree in plant genetics and forestry. After a year as a full-time student she put getting her Ph.D. on hold and returned to North America where she began intense training as age-group athlete. That year she won the Canadian Long Course Championships, beating former Ironman World Champion Lori Bowden, and then one week later was the first overall female age-group athlete at Ironman Coeur d’Alene. This qualified her for the Ironman World Championships.

In 2007 Wurtele received her pro card after seeing the prize money she was forfeiting as an amateur the previous year. The next year she and husband Trevor, who also received his pro triathlon card, decided to fully commit to the sport of triathlon. As a result, they both quit their jobs, Wurtele's as a lab technician at Natural Resources Canada and Trevor's as a currency broker, they sold most of their possessions, and purchased an RV that they used to travel from race to race and to different training locations. That year she won her first big race as a professional at Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Subsequently, she notched two more Ironman wins at Coeur d'Alene, two Ironman St. George wins, and a win at Ironman Lake Placid. At Ironman 70.3 and half-iron distance races she accumulated over two dozen wins.

In October 2019, Wurtele and her husband, Trevor, both jointly announced their retirement from professional racing.

Awards and recognition

Canadian Multi-Sport Female-Athlete-of-the-Year (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) Canadian Long Course Triathlete of the year (2010, 2011)

Personal While earning her masters Wurtele reconnected with friend and high school classmate, Trevor Wurtele. They were engaged prior to moving together to Norway and were married after returning to Canada.

Results Wurtele's results include: Results list Year Event Place2019Ironman Canada12019Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene32019Ironman 70.3 Campeche12019Ironman 70.3 Victoria22019Ironman 70.3 St. George32018The Championship - Challenge62018Ironman 70.3 World Championship112018Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos32018Ironman 70.3 Xiamen22018Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa22018Challenge Geraardsbergen12018Ironman 70.3 Campeche12018Ironman Wales42018Ironman 70.3 Texas32018Ironman 70.3 St. George62017Ironman 70.3 World Championship72017Challenge Heilbronn22017The Championship - Challenge32017ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships32017Challenge Peguera Mallorca12017Challenge Forte Village Sardinia12017Ironman 70.3 Campeche12017Ironman 70.3 Oceanside32016Ironman World Championship122016Ironman 70.3 Mount Tremblant12016Ironman 70.3 World Championship32016Challenge Iceland12016Ironman 70.3 Victoria12016Ironman 70.3 Monterrey12016Ironman 70.3 St. George12016Ironman 70.3 Oceanside12015Ironman World ChampionshipDNF2015Ironman 70.3 World Championship22015Ironman 70.3 St. George12015Ironman 70.3 Racine12015Challenge Dubai22015Ironman 70.3 Oceanside22015Ironman Texas72014Ironman Coeur d'Alene12014Ironman 70.3 Monterrey12014Ironman 70.3 Oceanside12014Ironman 70.3 Eagleman12014Ironman 70.3 World Championship32014Ironman 70.3 St. George32014UWC Triathlon32014Ironman World Championship152014Ironman 70.3 PanamaDNF2013Ironman Coeur d'Alene12013Rev3 Quassy12013Ironman 70.3 Panama12013Ironman 70.3 Calgary12013Ironman 70.3 St George32013Abu Dhabi International Triathlon42013Ironman 70.3 Oceanside22013Ironman 70.3 World Championship102013Ironman World ChampionshipDNF2012Ironman 70.3 Timberman12012Ironman 70.3 World Championship62012Ironman World Championship142012Rev3 Quassy22012Ironman 70.3 New Orleans22012Ironman European Championship82012Ironman 70.3 Texas82012Ironman Coeur d'AleneDNF2012UWC Triathlon Bahamas32011Ironman World Championship82011Ironman Lake Placid12011Ironman St. George12011Ironman 70.3 World Championship72011Ironman 70.3 Oceanside42011Ironman 70.3 Boise22010Ironman St. George12010Osoyoos Desert Half Iron12010Ironman Canada22010Ironman 70.3 Calgary22010Vancouver International Half Iron22010Ironman 70.3 Austin52010Ironman Arizona52010Ironman 70.3 OceansideDNF2009Ironman World ChampionshipDNF2009Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens22009Osyoos Desert Half Iron12009Ironman Coeur d’Alene32009Wildflower Triathlon52009Ironman 70.3 Oceanside112008Ironman Coeur d'Alene12008Ironman Canada32008Ironman Boise 70.332008Wildflower Triathlon52007New Balance Half Iron12007Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens42007Wildflower Triathlon102006Ironman World Championship6 (25–29)2006Vineman Half Ironman2 (25–29)2006Ironman Coeur d'Alene1 overall female amateur2006Canadian Long Course Championships - Half Iron12004New Balance Half Iron2 (20–24)2004Bakers Breakfast Olympic Distance2 (20–24)

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