By Collin Rugg
NEW JERSEY (CONVERSEER) – 80-year-old Natalie Grabow of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, becomes the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship.
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 16 hours, 45 minutes, and 26 seconds.
The race included a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike race, and a 26.2-mile run, for a total of 140.6 miles.
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NEW: 80-year-old Natalie Grabow of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, becomes the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship.
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
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 13, 2025
About The Ironman World Championship
The Ironman World Championship is one of the most prestigious and challenging endurance events in the world. It is organised annually by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) and serves as the pinnacle of the Ironman triathlon series, attracting elite professional athletes and top amateur competitors from across the globe.
Event Overview
The championship consists of three gruelling segments completed consecutively:
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3.86 km (2.4 miles) swim
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180.25 km (112 miles) bike ride
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42.2 km (26.2 miles) marathon run
Athletes must complete all three disciplines within strict time limits, testing physical endurance, strategy, and mental resilience.
History and Venue
The Ironman World Championship originated in 1978 in Hawai‘i, when U.S. Navy Commander John Collins and his wife Judy combined three existing endurance events on the island of Oahu. The race later moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, becoming an iconic fixture there for decades.
In recent years, the championship has expanded to a dual-host format, alternating between Kailua-Kona and Nice, France, to accommodate growing participation and to diversify the course experience.
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Women’s Championship: Held in Kona.
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Men’s Championship: Held in Nice.
Qualification
Participation is by qualification only. Athletes must earn a slot through performance in Ironman qualifying races held worldwide, or receive a special invitation. Slots are highly competitive, especially for top age-group categories.
Significance
The Ironman World Championship is widely regarded as the ultimate test of human endurance. Beyond the professional race, it celebrates inspiring stories of amateur athletes overcoming personal challenges, often drawing global media attention.
Notable Champions
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Jan Frodeno (Germany) – Multiple-time winner and Olympic champion.
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Daniela Ryf (Switzerland) – Dominated the women’s category with several titles.
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Mark Allen (USA) and Paula Newby-Fraser (Zimbabwe) – Legends who shaped the sport’s early years.
Economic and Cultural Impact
The championship brings significant tourism revenue to its host cities and promotes sports tourism globally. It has also inspired a growing triathlon culture, encouraging thousands to train for Ironman events each year.
