Paratriathlon legend Dave Ellis rounds off incredible 2024 in perfect style

An MBE in the King’s New Year Honours and then engagement to long-time partner Claire Cashmore signed off an incredible 2024 for gold-medal winning paratriathlete Dave Ellis.

Ellis is a paratriathlon legend, winning every title that matters in the PTVI sphere since switching from swimming in 2013.

Golden summer

A multiple world and European champion, the one medal that had eluded him until last year was Paralympics gold.

He had been the overwhelming favourite in Tokyo in 2021 but a mechanical issue on the bike ended those dreams.

But he bounced back with gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games alongside guide Luke Pollard and then in Paris last summer the duo achieved a lifetime ambition with an emphatic and emotional victory.

The moment Dave Ellis and Luke Pollard won gold in Paris [Photo credit: Petko Beier | World Triathlon]

Both were awarded the MBE this week in the New Year Honours.

‘It only took us 16 years’

And the week got even better for Ellis when his partner – and fellow Paralympics medal winner – Cashmore posted a photo of the two of them on Instagram and her sporting an engagement ring. She wrote: “Topping off an amazing 2024 ❤️

“It only took us 16 years 😆”

Not surprisingly the congratulation messages have been pouring in ever since, including one from Lauren Steadman who said: “Finallyyyyy 🫶🏼❤️”

And Ellis’ guide Pollard posted: “I’m ok… I just have something in both my eyes!”

Congratulations to both Dave and Claire from everyone at TRI247 and here’s to continued success in 2025 and beyond.

Claire Cashmore on her way to silver in the women’s he women’s PTS5 in Paris [Photo Credit: Petko Beier | World Triathlon]

Written by

Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.

Discover more

On Cloudmonster Hyper running shoes review – worth the hype?

What is lactate threshold? The science behind triathlon’s favourite training buzz phrase

Best aquabike races – The swim, bike, done events for triathletes who want to skip the run

Sustainable sportswear – what you need to know and the triathlon apparel brands taking steps in the right direction

Best middle distance triathlons for first timers – Top rated races for stepping up to half Ironman