Talking about her victory, Natalie Grabow told the media, “All of us in sport are competitive and want to do well, but it’s the journey that matters.”
Natalie Grabow discovered triathlon only in her 60s, but at 80, she has now become the oldest woman ever to win the gruelling Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
To secure her victory in the F80-84 division, Natalie Grabow had to complete a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride and a 42 km run, all in 16 hours, 45 minutes and 26 seconds. Talking about her victory, Natalie Grabow told the media, “All of us in sport are competitive and want to do well, but it’s the journey that matters.”
She added, “I am so happy and grateful that I can still race in this sport at my age. Triathlon allows me to feel strong both mentally and physically, and it satisfies my competitive spirit.”
This is Natalie Grabow. At 80 years young, she become the “oldest” woman to compete and finish the Ironman World Championship in 16 hours and 45 minutes. Just to be clear, that’s 3.8km swimming, 180km cycling, and 42km running. pic.twitter.com/7qNwJoVyvT
Brian Solis (@briansolis) October 16, 2025
It Was Never An Overnight Success…
The 80-year-old journey was not an overnight success, but she began running 5k and 10k races in her middle age. The lifelong runner turned to triathlon in her early 60s after injuries. Natalie Grabow said, “In 2005, the same year I turned 60, I started learning to swim.”
She learned to swim to take on the full triathlon challenge, participated in her first Ironman and finished third in her age group at the 2006 Ironman World Championship.
Definition Of Grit And Gratitude
Natalie Grabow was unstoppable, even at her older age. The American athlete has won every race she has entered since 2022. After securing the second position in Kona, the 80-year-old came back stronger to claim the victory title in 2025. According to reports, Natalie Grabow even surpassed the record of Cherie Gruenfeld, who completed the challenge in Kona at age 78.
Her coach, Michelle Lake of Fiv3 Racing, told the media, “Natalie is the definition of grit and gratitude. Grateful to make it to the start line, grateful to get to do something she loves everyday and grateful to inspire so many others. And she’s truly gritty.”
Natalie Grabow Future Plans
Expressing her plans for the future, Natalie Grabow said, “I’ve already signed up to do two 70.3 [half Ironman distance] races in 2026: Eagleman in June and Musselman in July.”
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