When asked what kind of impact he hoped to have on triathlon following his retirement, six-time Ironman World Champion Mark Allen’s answer was simple yet profound: “To leave it better than I found it.”
That vision extends far beyond supporting women in the sport, but Allen has often spoken about how the women of triathlon’s early days inspired his own career. And in a moment where the conversation about women in triathlon has been elevated for many reasons – from the new qualifying system to the shift back to a single race day in Kona – he felt compelled to take initiative and give back.
“I also think it’s just harder, systemically, for women to participate in triathlon,” Allen said, referring to the many well-known barriers, from women disproportionately carrying caregiver roles to long-standing social and structural influences that have not supported women in sport the same way they have supported men.
Opening Doors, Building Community, and Aspiring for a “Snowball Effect”
The first goal of Allen’s new initiative, Limitless – launched December 4th in partnership with TriDot – is to lower barriers and open the door for more women to access the sport. The program offers 500 women a full year of free, high-quality coaching, along with supportive resources and a women-positive community including mentors, webinars, and more.
Those spots were filled in less than 12 hours by athletes from 18 different countries. In response to the overwhelming interest, Allen and TriDot have now expanded the program to 1,000 athletes.
When Allen reflects on his own career, he emphasizes that, while world titles are unforgettable, the most meaningful part was the community he found along the way. “It was community and the people I met through my own athletic journey that, looking back, were the most special parts of it.” That spirit of belonging is a central pillar of Limitless as well.
“Limitless is intended to be more than solo training – much more,” he said. “It’s equally about mentorship, collaboration with other groups and initiatives in the women-in-tri space, and building community for women to share their athletic journey with other women.”
Ultimately, Allen hopes the impact will grow exponentially. “I’m hoping for a ‘snowball effect,’” he said. “Everyone who’s come into the sport has inspired others around them, whether they know it or not. People see how triathlon, and sport, can change someone’s life for the better, and it often inspires them to take that first step themselves.”
A Vision Still Evolving
When asked what comes next, Allen acknowledged that Limitless is still in its early stages. “We absolutely intend to have race presence, visibility, and support, all in collaboration with TriDot,” he said. “Those pieces are exactly what we’re shaping right now, and the vision will continue to grow as the program evolves.”
Allen emphasized that although only 1,000 athletes will receive fully covered coaching, any woman who joins the TriDot platform will be welcomed into the Limitless community. “The community is truly intended to be ‘limitless,’ even if we can’t offer unlimited sports for free,” he said. His passion for the mission is unmistakable – and notably, both he and TriDot have launched this initiative with no financial gain to themselves, simply because they believe the sport will be better for it.
See the link in bio @markallengrip for more information on this exciting initiative.
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