17/10/2025
Can you even imagine the sheer willpower and resilience it takes to complete a grueling 140.6-mile race at 80 years old?! Natalie Grabow, from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, is a true inspiration, proving that age is just a number! 💖
The Incredible Details That Will Give You Chills:
• Historic Finish! Natalie Grabow became the first-ever female finisher in the F80–84 division at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawai'i! What an absolute legend! 🤩 She completed the colossal triathlon—a 2.4-mile (3.8 km) ocean swim, a 112-mile (180 km) bike ride, and a 26.2-mile (42 km) marathon run—in a mind-blowing time of 16 hours, 45 minutes, and 26 seconds. ⏱️
• Late Bloomer Triumph! The most astounding fact? Natalie only took up the sport of triathlon in her early 60s! 🤯 She was a lifelong runner but had to change disciplines after recurring injuries. She learned to swim and took on her first Ironman, showing that it is never too late to embrace a new challenge and reach peak performance. 🏊♀️🚴♀️🏃♀️
• Surpassing a Legend! In doing so, she became the oldest woman ever to finish the iconic Kona race, surpassing the previous record held by Ironman Hall of Famer Cherie Gruenfeld, who completed the event at age 78. What a monumental achievement! 👑
• Competitive Spirit! Her coach, Michelle Lake, describes Grabow as "resilient" and incredibly "disciplined," even noting that Natalie doesn't just race against her female peers—she studies the men in her age group and finds ways to beat them! Talk about a competitive edge! 💪
• The Journey is What Matters! Reflecting on her success, Natalie Grabow shared her beautiful perspective: "All of us in sport are competitive and want to do well, but it's the journey that matters." She races with gratitude and a smile on her face. What a beautiful life lesson! 🙏
Natalie's remarkable feat at the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona is a powerful reminder that with focus, discipline, and a resilient mindset, you can rewrite history at any age!
