80-Year-Old Grandmother Becomes Oldest Woman to Finish Ironman World Championship: ‘Definition of Grit and Gratitude’

Natalie Grabow’s body broke down as she crossed the finish line at the Ironman World Championship this week, though it wasn’t clear whether it was due to exhaustion or pure emotion.

Grabow, who turned 80 in August, officially became the oldest woman ever to finish the world famous Ironman race in Kona, Hawaii on Sunday, Oct. 12, finishing the race in just over 16 hours and 45 minutes.

“Absolutely incredible!” the Ironman race’s PA announcer yelled after the grandmother collapsed at the finish line, as the crowd chanted her name while she made history.

“Natalie Grabow…you are an Ironman!” the announcer declared.

The Mountain Lakes, N.J. native’s finish on Sunday broke 2025 Ironman Hall of Fame inductee Cherie Gruenfeld’s previous record at 78 years old, according to the Ironman World Championship. The world’s most famous Ironman competition has been held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii since 1978.

Grabow also became the first woman ever to compete in the Ironman World Championship’s 80-plus age group.

“I am so happy and grateful that I can still race in this sport at my age,” Grabow told NPR after the race. “Triathlon allows me to feel strong both mentally and physically, and it satisfies my competitive spirit.”

“She’s just an amazing human,” her coach, Michelle Lake, told Triathlete, a website dedicated to marathons.

“Watching her passion and dedication is inspiring,” the 80-year-old’s coach added.

As a software engineer, Grabow had always found solace in running. But she told NPR that as running injuries began nagging her as she grew older, she decided to look into cross-training competitions like Ironman races in order to switch up her workouts and reduce the toll on her body.

But becoming a triathlete at 59 meant Grabow first needed to learn how to swim, she told the outlet.

“If you are motivated and willing to work hard, it’s never too late to take on a new challenge,” Grabow told NPR.

“Natalie is the definition of grit and gratitude,” Lake told NPR. “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.”

According to Triathlete, Grabow has won every race she’s competed in since 2022. That year, she finished second place in her age group at the Kona event. Since then, Grabow has swept her limited competition in her age groups.

“She doesn’t miss workouts,” Lake told the website. “Her training volume is high for her age. She loves long bike rides on the trainer, has mobility routines, and even when I suggest rest, she keeps moving.”

Grabow shared advice for other athletes who might be inspired by her accomplishment.

“Listen to your body, take time off when you need to and, most importantly, just enjoy the journey,” she told NPR.