Here’s something you don’t see every day: an 80-year-old grandmother, Netali Grabow, tearing up the Ironman course in Hawaii and rewriting what we think we know about athletic potential past retirement age. The moment I first heard her story, I couldn’t help but remember my own grandmother, who used to race me to the end of our street and always let me win—yet even she would’ve tipped her hat to Grabow’s determination. Let’s dive into a journey that proves age is less a finish line than a launchpad.
Ironman World Championship: Where Legends Are Forged (and Tested by Wind)
The Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is more than just a race—it’s a proving ground for the world’s toughest athletes. The 2025 edition of this legendary event drew 1,600 determined participants from around the globe, each ready to face the iconic Hawaii Ironman course. Among these competitors stood Netali Grabow, an 80-year-old grandmother from New Jersey, who was about to make Ironman triathlon history as the oldest woman Ironman finisher ever recorded.
Endurance Redefined: The Hawaii Ironman Course
The Ironman World Championship is famous for its grueling format: a 3.8-kilometer swim through open ocean, a 180-kilometer bike ride along the sunbaked Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, and a 42.2-kilometer marathon run. Even the most seasoned triathletes admit that the Hawaiian course is daunting. The 2025 Ironman triathlon results reflected this intensity—out of 1,600 starters, 60 athletes were unable to finish, a testament to the unforgiving nature of the event.
What makes the Hawaii Ironman course especially challenging is not just the distance, but the elements. Strong, persistent winds whip across the lava fields, sapping energy and testing the mental fortitude of every participant. For Grabow, these winds were an added hurdle, but not an insurmountable one. As she told the BBC World Service’s Newsday program,
“I like to challenge myself.”
Ironman 2025: A Race Against Time and Nature
The 2025 Ironman World Championship was a showcase of endurance across all ages. The event’s strict 17-hour completion limit loomed over every athlete. Netali Grabow, racing just weeks before her 81st birthday, crossed the finish line in 16 hours and 45 minutes—only 15 minutes shy of the cutoff. Her performance was not just a personal victory, but a record-setting moment for the oldest woman Ironman finisher.
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Total participants: 1,600
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Course: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
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Completion limit: 17 hours
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Grabow’s finish: 16:45
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Did Not Finish (DNF): 60 athletes
The statistics from Ironman triathlon 2025 results highlight the diversity and resilience of the field. Competitors ranged from elite professionals to age-group athletes like Grabow, each battling the same relentless course and unpredictable Hawaiian weather.
Unexpected Obstacles: Winds and Mishaps
Beyond the expected challenges of distance and heat, the 2025 race delivered its own surprises. The notorious Hawaiian winds were especially fierce, making the bike segment a true test of strength and balance. Grabow faced these gusts with determination, drawing on her years of experience and her personal motto: “Keep Moving.”
Yet, even as she neared the finish, another unexpected obstacle appeared. A slightly raised, wrinkled carpet at the finish line caused Grabow to slip and fall—an incident she later described as “surprising, a little embarrassing, and completely unexpected.” True to her spirit, she quickly rose, undeterred, and completed the race, earning applause from spectators and fellow athletes alike.
Forging Legends: The Spirit of Ironman
The Ironman World Championship is where legends are forged, not just by speed, but by resilience. Grabow’s journey through the 2025 Hawaii Ironman course was marked by physical setbacks, fierce winds, and a dramatic finish. Yet, her unwavering resolve and positive outlook set her apart. As she crossed the finish line, she was greeted by Cherie Greenfield, the previous record-holder for oldest woman Ironman finisher, underscoring the camaraderie and mutual respect that defines this sport.
Grabow’s story is a powerful reminder that the Ironman World Championship is not just about the fastest times, but about overcoming adversity, embracing the elements, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—at any age.
Perseverance in Sports: Lessons from Netali Grabow
Netali Grabow’s journey to becoming Ironman’s oldest woman finisher is a masterclass in perseverance in sports. Her story, as highlighted by the BBC World Service’s Newsday program, is not just about breaking records, but about overcoming self-doubt, setbacks, and the unique challenges elderly athletes face. Grabow’s achievement is a beacon for anyone who believes age is a barrier to athletic ambition.
Starting Late, Finishing Strong
Unlike many elite athletes, Grabow did not begin her sporting journey in youth. She only started running in her 40s, inspired by friends who participated in local triathlons. The swimming segment, however, was a major hurdle—she openly admitted she couldn’t swim at all. At 59, motivated by her desire to join in, she learned to swim from scratch. This willingness to acquire a new skill at an age when many slow down is a testament to her senior athlete perseverance and a reminder that it’s never too late to start.
Overcoming Injury and Setbacks
Grabow’s preparation for the 2025 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii was far from smooth. Just five weeks before the event, she suffered a muscle injury in her arm during cycling practice. This forced her to rest for nearly a week, missing crucial training days. For any athlete, but especially for older adults in Ironman training, injury management and gradual progression are essential. Grabow’s approach—listening to her body, allowing time for recovery, and resuming training only when ready—reflects best practices for longevity in sport.
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Muscle injury five weeks before Ironman 2025
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Five to six days of forced rest and missed training
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Repeated pauses for recovery during preparation
Despite these setbacks, Grabow did not let frustration or fear derail her. She entered the race with nerves and uncertainty, proving that even the most experienced athletes are not immune to doubt. Her story is marked as much by these moments of vulnerability as by her triumphs.
“Keep Moving”: The Power of a Simple Motto
Grabow’s guiding principle is simple: “Keep Moving.” This motto underpins all her athletic pursuits and daily life. It’s not about being the fastest or the strongest, but about consistent forward motion, regardless of obstacles. For senior athletes and anyone facing challenges, this mindset is powerful. Grabow’s routine—staying active, getting up, and doing something every day—demonstrates how perseverance is built on small, steady efforts.
“If ever I don’t want to race, I will still always be active, always get up, and always do something.” – Netali Grabow
Resilience in the Face of the Unexpected
The Ironman is notorious for its grueling demands: a 3.8-kilometer swim, 180 kilometers of cycling, and a 42.2-kilometer run, all within a 17-hour limit. In 2025, Grabow faced strong winds and a field of 1,600 participants—yet 60 could not finish. As she neared the finish line, Grabow tripped on a raised carpet, falling just meters from her goal. She described the moment as surprising and a little embarrassing, but her response was immediate: she got up and finished the race, clocking in at 16 hours and 45 minutes.
This public stumble was not a defeat, but a vivid illustration of perseverance in sports. Grabow’s ability to recover and continue, even when things go wrong, is what sets her apart. Her journey is filled with adaptation and the refusal to give up, no matter the setback.
Human, Not Superhuman
What makes Netali Grabow’s achievement so inspiring is not invincibility, but her humanity. She experiences nerves, injury, and self-doubt, just like anyone else. Her story is a reminder that challenges for elderly athletes are real, but so are the rewards of persistence. Eleven Ironman finishes by age 80, learning to swim at 59, and bouncing back from injury and falls—these are not the marks of a superhuman, but of someone who simply refuses to quit.
Grabow’s journey is a living example of how perseverance in sports can defy age and expectation. Her story encourages all athletes, especially older adults, to keep moving, keep learning, and keep believing in their own potential.
Friendly Rivalries, Community, and Rewriting the Age Narrative
Netali Grabow’s record-breaking finish at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii is not just a story of personal triumph; it is a testament to the power of community, the inspiration of senior athletes, and the rewriting of what is possible at any age. As the oldest woman Ironman finisher at 80, Grabow’s journey is deeply intertwined with the friendships and rivalries that define the world of elderly athletes. Her story, and those of her peers, challenge the stereotypes about athletic performance and age, proving that the impact of age on athletic ability is not a barrier but a new frontier to be explored.
One of the most touching moments of the 2025 Ironman came as Grabow crossed the finish line. There, waiting to greet her, was Cherie Greenfield—the previous record-holder, who had completed the Ironman at age 78 in 2022. The two women have shared years of friendly rivalry, mutual encouragement, and support. Their relationship exemplifies the camaraderie that exists among senior athletes, a group whose numbers may be small but whose spirit is mighty. In the 75–79 age cohort, Grabow and Greenfield were part of a group of four women, but only two finished the grueling race. This shared triumph forged a bond that goes beyond competition; it is about mutual respect, shared challenges, and collective victory.
The World Service’s coverage of Grabow’s achievement highlights how these athletes are not just defying the odds—they are rewriting the age narrative. The sight of Greenfield cheering Grabow at the finish line is a powerful reminder that, for many senior athletes, the journey is as much about community as it is about individual accomplishment. These women are not racing against each other so much as they are racing with each other, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for their generation. Their friendly rivalries are built on years of shared training, setbacks, and triumphs, and they serve as a beacon of inspiration for anyone who believes that age must limit ambition.
Grabow’s story is a clear example of how the impact of age on athletic performance is often misunderstood. While it is true that age brings challenges—slower recovery, increased risk of injury, and the need for more careful preparation—it does not preclude high achievement in endurance sports. Grabow herself suffered a muscle injury just weeks before the race, missing crucial training days. Yet, her perseverance and the support of her community helped her recover and ultimately succeed. Her motto, “Keep Moving,” is more than a slogan; it is a philosophy that has allowed her, and others like her, to continue pushing forward, regardless of age.
This sense of community among aging athletes is vital. It provides encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging. Grabow’s connection with Greenfield and other competitors illustrates how senior athletes inspire not only each other but also the broader public. Their stories challenge the notion that athletic dreams must fade with age. Instead, they show that new goals can be set, new records can be broken, and new friendships can be formed—no matter the number of candles on the birthday cake.
Perhaps most inspiring is Grabow’s refusal to retire from the sport. Even after setting a new record as the oldest woman Ironman, she has already registered for two more half-Ironman events in the coming year. For her, the journey does not end at the finish line; it continues with each new challenge, each new day of activity. As she told the BBC, “If ever I don’t want to race, I will still always be active, always get up, and always do something.” This mindset is the true legacy of senior athletes like Grabow—a legacy of resilience, vitality, and the belief that, as she says, “As long as you’re physically able… you can do it.”
In the end, Netali Grabow’s story is as much about shared milestones as individual ones. She and her peers are not just refusing obsolescence; they are forming their own league of extraordinary perseverance. Their achievements are a call to action for all of us to rethink what is possible, to celebrate the community of aging athletes, and to recognize that the narrative of age is not one of decline, but of enduring strength and inspiration.
TL;DR: No matter your age or circumstance, Netali Grabow’s journey at Ironman proves that resilience, constant challenge, and a dash of self-belief can push boundaries—sometimes farther than you’d ever expect.
