Leo Gillick
I think for most people, of any age, the prospect of completing an Ironman would be completely outside of the bounds of physical capabilities, but an 80-year-old woman from New Jersey has proven that it’s never too late to start.
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A regular marathon is not good enough these days. Now we have things like triathlons, ultramarathons, and of course, the Ironman. They are based all around the world and involve some of the most grueling environments.
- Typically, an Ironman will entail a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon run, totaling 140.6 miles. They are based in beautiful but challenging environments, designed to push athletes to their absolute limit. Even folks in the peak of health will struggle to complete one.
But, 80-year-old Natalie Grabow of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, has finished an Ironman, becoming the first in her age category to complete it.
Seriously Strong Senior Citizen
The Ironman Grabow of Mountain Lakes competed in took place in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The 80-year-old covered the three sporting events, covering 140.6 miles, in a staggering 16 hours, 45 minutes, and 26 seconds. I couldn’t even sit in a desk chair for that long without getting some kind of muscle pain.
NEW: 80-year-old Natalie Grabow of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, becomes the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 13, 2025
The American was the first female in the 80-84 category to complete the race. The race took place in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Grabow finished in… pic.twitter.com/4dP7EnD20A
Lifelong Champion: Grabow has been a triathlon runner since the age of 60, when she discovered them after an injury made only running unsustainable. By combining three sports, she was able to give certain muscle groups a rest while still pushing herself to the physical limit.
- Speaking to Reuters, the 80-year-old Ironman record breaker stayed humble about her achievement. “All of us in sport are competitive and want to do well, but it’s the journey that matters.” Acknowledging her achievement, she continued, “If you’re an age-grouper, people rarely remember how you did in a race, but they remember that you had a good attitude, had a smile on your face, and were happy with your effort. I’m so lucky to be able to do this, so I race with gratitude.”
She’s set not only a great time, but a difficult age group record to beat. At this rate, she will be back next year to push it one year further. It will be a long time before another person in the 80+ category can match her pace and age.
