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Triathletes

Triathlon is a multi-discipline endurance sport combining swimming, cycling, and running across various distances and formats. More info

 

Distances & Formats:

  • Sprint Triathlon — 400 m swim, 20 km cycle, 5 km run

  • Olympic Triathlon — 1.5 km swim, 40 km cycle, 10 km run

  • Half Ironman (Ironman 70.3) — 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycle, 21.1 km run

  • Ironman — 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle, 42.2 km run

  • Double Ironman — 7.6 km swim, 360 km cycle, 84.4 km run

  • Enduroman Continuous Triple Ironman — 11.4 km swim, 540 km cycle, 126.6 km run

  • Deca Ironman — 10 Ironman distances in 10 days (24 mi swim, 1,120 mi bike, 262 mi run)

  • Double Deca Triathlon — 20 Ironman distances completed consecutively (48 mi swim, 2,240 mi bike, 524 mi run)

 
Ultra Triathlons

Norseman Xtreme Triathlon — Norway

Renowned as one of the hardest triathlons in the world, featuring a 3.8 km swim in icy 14°C fjord waters, followed by 222 km of biking and running with 4,570 m of elevation gain. Website

 

  • Fastest woman — Anne Nevin (Norway) — 12h 04m 18s — 2017

 

Uberman Ultra Triathlon — USA

Dubbed “the world’s toughest triathlon”, the 556-mile course begins with a 21-mile ocean swim from Catalina Island, followed by a 400-mile bike ride and a 135-mile run from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney. More info

 

  • First woman to complete Uberman — Melissa Urie (Australia) — 2019. Tough Girl Podcast

 

Epic5 Challenge — Hawaii

Five full Iron-distance triathlons on five Hawaiian islands in five days. Website

 

  • First woman to complete Epic5 — Danielle Grabol (USA) — 15 May 2016

  • Second woman to complete the challenge — Melissa Urie (Australia) — 2018

 

Length of Great Britain Triathlon — UK

A unique triathlon covering the entire length of Great Britain from Land’s End to John o’Groats three times — cycling, walking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

 

  • First woman to complete — Fiona Quinn (UK) — 2018

 

Ultra-Triathlon & Triathlon Records

  • Fastest time to complete an IRONMAN 140.6 + IRONMAN 70.3 back-to-back (female) — Maria Conceicao (Portugal) — 34h 35m 59s — 16 October 2022

  • Fastest time to complete a 140.6-mile triathlon on six continents (female) — Maria Conceição (Portugal) — 56 days 19h 12m 47s — 28 May 2017

  • Fastest time to complete IUTA World Cup Triple Ultra Triathlon (female) — Alicja Pyszka-Bazan (Poland) — 36h 13m 55s — 27 July 2024

  • Fastest time to complete IUTA World Cup Double Ultra Triathlon (female) — Alicja Pyszka-Bazan (Poland) — 23h 13m 2s — 30 June 2023

  • Most 140.6-mile triathlons completed in one year (female) — Shangrila Rendon (USA/Philippines) — 23 Ironman distances — 34 days — 30 October 2020

  • Longest triathlon (female) — Ilaria Corli (Italy) — 190 km swim, 4,408 km cycle, 1,078 km run = 5,676 km total — 25 August 2017

  • Most wins of the Triathlon World Championships (female) — Flora Duffy (Bermuda) — 4 wins — 2016-17 & 2021-22

Related Tough Girl Podcast Episodes

Caroline Livesey

Extreme Triathlete and Elite Gravel Cyclist: Winning Races, Breaking Limits, and Giving Back

Naomi Rumble

Leading by Example – Overcoming Barriers and Redefining What an Athlete Looks Like

Frankie Forzoni

From Mental Health Struggles to Norseman Xtreme Triathlon Finisher.

Alex Larson

Dietitian and Triathlete, Fuelling Endurance Athletes for Peak Performance and Personal Success

Dr. Katie Myint

Running for Enjoyment and Mental Well-Being

Paula Craig MBE

Embracing the Unknown - Transforming Challenges into Triumphs in Sports and Life, as she charts new paths, inspires resilience, and encourages others to fearlessly pursue their dreams.

Nirjala Tamrakar Wright

First Nepalese woman to complete a full-distance triathlon

Kelda Wood

First female adaptive athlete to summit Aconcagua and row solo across the Atlantic Ocean!

Patti Shales Lefkos

Journalist, Adventure Traveller and Author of: Nepal One day at a time.

Angela White

aka The Running Granny, Completing JOGLE (875 miles) at 60 years old in 18 days, 10 hours and 3 minutes!

Amy Palmiero-Winters

Extreme Ultra Endurance Athlete and first female amputee to finish Western States and the Badwater Ultramarathon!

Dr. Tekemia Dorsey

Ironman & CEO of the International Association of Black Triathletes (IABT)

Selene Yeager

‘The Fit Chick’, Pro Mountain Bike Racer, Author & All-American Ironman triathlete

Fenella Langridge

Professional Triathlete over 70.3 distance

Caroline Bramwell

Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis - A self-confessed couch potato - Her journey to becoming a triathlete!

Natalie Moore

Quitting her job and heading to Madagascar for 6 weeks on a marine conservation program! & Carola Fekter - Running 12 marathons in 12 months!

Jen Benson

Adventuring with her partner and two young children, living in a tent for 18 months while exploring Britain’s National Parks.

Carolin Botterill

52 year old mum of 3 who became an accidental ultra runner!

Paula McGuire

“Must Try Harder” an unlikely adventurer who is an anxiety survivor.

Hélène Rossiter

Triathlete, Runner, Explorer, Vangirl #wherewheelsgo

Adelaide Goodeve

Recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and going on to become an Ironman!

Sarah Logan

43 married with 2 girls - diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, this is her story of survival, positivity and training for a triathlon while undergoing treatment.

Bianca Fernandez-Clark

7x Ironman Finisher and Founder of Women in Tri UK, Making Triathlon More Inclusive for Women.

Prue Young

Triathlete and Critical Care Flight Paramedic Sharing Her Journey as an MS Warrior and Competing in the Ironman World Championships in Kona

Theresa Frost

68-year-old Ironman, European Aquabike Champion, smallholder, wife of over 40 years, mum of 2, and grandma to 3. Proving age and a double hip replacement are no reasons to slow down.

Kelly Smith

Founder of The Black Tri Tribe, UK's First Triathlon Club for Black People

Louise Minchin

former BBC Breakfast presenter, endurance athlete and author of two books, Fearless Adventures with Extraordinary Women and Dare to Tri.

Rogeema Kenny

Ultrarunner and 2x Ironman finisher. 1st person in South Africa to finish a full Ironman in hijab. She believes that your life choices should never be a limiting factor in your goals and achievements. Don't change yourself, change the game

Jennifer Strong McConachie

Adventure Athlete, Fellow of the RGS and Author of “Go Far: How Endurance Sports Help You Win At Life”.

Donna McConnell

The Iron Empress. Ironwoman - IM Barcelona 2021. Working to increase female participation in Ironman races.

Katie Spotz

Endurance Athlete & WR Holder. 5X Ironman, cycled across the USA, run 100 miles nonstop in under 20 hours, and rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sue Barrett

First ‘Adventure Queen’ Grant Winner - A mother and daughter human powered mountain adventure of 1,300 miles, through 8 countries along the spine of the Alps.

Khadijah Diggs

Team USA and Silver IronMan All-World Triathlete. Her mission is to Promote a Positive Image of Muslim Women and Islam in General through Sport.

Ailsa MacDonald

Ultra Runner and Distance Triathlete, Canadian National Champion for 100 miles & Ironman Canada 2018 winner.

Paula McGuire

Everyday adventurer, anxiety survivor, trier, fail-er, author. Currently trying something new every day in 2020.

Melissa Urie

First women to complete UberMan. Ultra-Triathlon - A 21-mile swim, 400-mile bike ride followed by a 135 mile run through Death Valley!

Kate Swoboda

Author of The Courage Habit: Sharing more about how to accept your fears, release the past, and Live Your Courageous Life

Ellie Blake

Her journey to Ironman Wales & Meg Saunders - Hiking the Inca Trail and signing up for a marathon!

Melissa Urie

Mental health nurse completing Ultra-man Hawaii and in training for UBERMAN in October 2019.

Tricia Downing

Wheelchair Athlete, Mental Toughness Speaker, Author, Helping you GET YOUR GRIT ON.

Helen Croydon

This Girl Ran: Tales of a Party Girl Turned Triathlete  - ditching a glamorous city girl lifestyle, and two years later qualifying to be a GB age-group triathlete!

Laura Kennington

Kayaking in Russia, cycling the Wild Atlantic Way and circumnavigating 3 of the Channel Islands in an extreme triathlon!

Shu Pillinger

1st British woman to complete RAAM Solo in 2015 after broken clavicle in 2014.

Dr. Elisabeth Ogbonmwan

Championing Female Athlete Health – A Doctor, Triathlete & New Mum Balancing It All.

Linda Blakely

The Inspiring Journey of an Ironman Athlete Who Summited Everest and Lhotse and Rowed the Atlantic Ocean Solo!

Juliette Denny

From Football to Ultra Running - Embracing Challenges and Inspiring Inclusivity in the Outdoors. Running the South Downs Way and Completing Her First Ironman in Barcelona.

Shirin Gerami

Trailblazing Triathlete & Advocate for Change who made history as Iran's first female triathlete to compete in a world championship.

Mari Funabashi

Film Composer, Endurance Cyclist, and Triathlete, Bringing Together Her Passion for Music and Outdoor Adventure to Create a New Film - “Beyond Words” - to Amplify the Voices of Underrepresented Folks and Inspire Change.

Jennifer Price

From Army Officer to Extreme Endurance Athlete. 12 challenges in 12 months. Including an Ironman, a multistage desert ultra-marathon, Mt. Aconcagua, and a 1000 mile self supported Lands’ End to John O’Groats cycle.

Claire Smith

Ultra endurance athlete - Only person in the UK to have finished a continuous Double Deca (20x Ironman). Training for the Arch To Arc Triathlon (Sept 2022).

Abhejali Bernardová

Completing an extreme ultra-triathlon from Dover to Prague (1,111 km) in 7 days 12hrs and 5 mins.

Denise Mueller-Korenek

Goal Setting, Overcoming Performance Anxiety and becoming the fastest cyclist on earth!

Jen McMahon and Kara Wilson

Road to 50 Miles

Cath Pendleton

First Person to swim one mile inside the Antarctic Polar Circle!

Karen Darke

Modern-day ‘Alchemist’, passionate about turning challenge into opportunity and transforming the difficult stuff into ‘gold’

Dr Kate Edwards & Dr Blair Green

Go Ahead, Stop and Pee: Running During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Laura Marshall

First solo Australian woman to complete one of the world’s toughest ultra-triathlons – The Enduroman Arch to Arc.

Mara Hafezi

The Fit Londoner: Ironman UK, Wadi Rum Ultra marathon 2018 & The Speed Project running from LA to Las Vegas as fast as possible in 2019!

Laura Kennington

The North Sea Cycle route, the world's longest signposted cycle route, 8 countries, 6,000km #GreatNorthRide

Chrissie Wellington

British Triathlete and 4X World Ironman Champion (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011), wife, mum and Global Head of Health and Wellbeing at Parkrun.

Janine Doggett

37, freelance writer & blogger, from Bristol who cycled LEJOG solo via the 3 peaks in 2018!

Anna-Marie Watson

Performance coach & founder Reach for More. Endurance athlete recovering #UTMB2017 #HMDS2017.

Melissa Urie

2nd Women to ever finish the EPIC 5 - 5 Ironman in 5 days across 5 different islands in Hawaii!

Laura Gush

Running The Ironman and Marathon Des Sables with No Background in Sports, Qualified Dr and PT

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