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Natalie Grabow, 80, Becomes Oldest Woman to Finish Kona Ironman

She learned to swim at 59 to pursue triathlon.

Overview

  • She completed the 140.6-mile course in 16:45:26, beating the event’s 17-hour cutoff.
  • Grabow was the sole entrant in the women’s 80–84 age group at the world championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
  • Cherie Gruenfeld, who held the prior women’s mark at age 78 in 2022, greeted her at the finish line.
  • More than 60 of the 1,600-plus starters did not finish the demanding course known for heat, wind and steep climbs.
  • It was her 11th Ironman World Championship start in Kona, and she has registered for the 2026 Eagleman and Musselman 70.3 races.