Cherie Gruenfeld has officially joined the Ironman Hall of Fame, adding yet another milestone to a remarkable triathlon career.
Gruenfeld did not take up triathlon until the age of 48, but her late start never slowed her progress. Over the next three decades she collected 14 Ironman World Championship age-group titles and five Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
In Kona 2022, she made history at 78 when she became the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship, a race where she also claimed her 14th age-group crown, and her achievements have not slowed with age. Just last year, at 80, Gruenfeld captured the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Taupō, proving once again that her endurance and competitive drive remain world class.
Off the course, Gruenfeld authored Become an Ironman and in 2001 founded Exceeding Expectations, a program that introduces at-risk youth in Southern California to triathlon while supporting their education. As Ironman highlighted on social media, she is “an inspiration to many” who continues to use sport as a tool for positive change.
Her legacy already spans multiple honors. She is a USA Triathlon Hall of Fame member, a three-time Female Grandmaster of the Year, and the first woman over 55 to break 12 hours at Ironman.
Founded in 1993, the Ironman Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of the sport and contribute to its growth. Cherie Gruenfeld’s induction secures her place among triathlon’s most enduring figures.
For more on Gruenfeld’s story, readers can revisit a Triathlon Magazine feature written by her husband, Lee Gruenfeld, following her 2022 Ironman World Championship victory.
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