Natalie Grabow has proven that age is no barrier to endurance after becoming the oldest woman ever to complete the gruelling Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, on Saturday.
The 80-year-old American conquered the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride, and 42km run in 16 hours, 45 minutes, and 26 seconds. Her performance secured victory in the F80-84 division and marked her 10th appearance at the iconic Hawaii event.
Grabow, who hails from New Jersey, only discovered triathlon in her 60s after years of distance running. She qualified for this year’s World Championship with a 15:53 finish at Ironman Maryland, becoming the first woman to complete that race in the 75–79 category.
Her coach, Michelle Lake, described her as “resilient” and “disciplined,” crediting her success to a calm and consistent training regimen.
By finishing the race, Grabow surpassed the previous record held by Ironman Hall of Famer Cherie Gruenfeld, who completed the Kona race at age 78.
Organisers and fans celebrated Grabow’s performance, calling her “an icon of endurance” and sharing the message “age is just a number” across social media.
In the professional division, Norwegian debutant Solveig Lovseth claimed the world title in 8:28:27. Britain’s Kat Matthews finished second, with 2024 champion Laura Philipp of Germany placing third. The men’s race was held in September.
More than 1,700 age-group competitors also endured the sweltering heat and high humidity to complete the race, pushing their physical and mental limits.
—Reuters
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