Triathlons are not just a man’s game. These famous female triathletes prove that women have what it takes to master tough swims, runs, and cycles. Let’s dive in.
The world of triathlon has seen incredible athletes pushing the boundaries of human endurance, and among them are some remarkable women. These famous female triathletes have not only dominated their respective fields but also inspired countless others to challenge themselves in swimming, biking, and running. In this article, we will shed light on some of these prominent female triathletes whose sheer determination and unparalleled skills have earned them a place in the annals of sports history.
Over the years, we have witnessed the achievements of women such as Mirinda Carfrae, who has won the Ironman World Championship several times. There are numerous other women making their mark in the world of triathlons, including Olympic champions and those who have won and excelled in events like the ITU Triathlon World Championship, Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and Super League Triathlon.
As we delve into the accomplishments and stories of these extraordinary female athletes, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication, stamina, and fortitude required to conquer the demanding sport of the triathlon. Enjoy the journey as we explore the fascinating lives and legacies of these world-class female triathletes. You can also check out our guide on famous Australian triathletes.
Top Famous Female Triathletes
- Chrissie Wellington
Chrissie Wellington is a British triathlete who quickly made a name for herself. Her career got off to a groundbreaking start, being the only triathlete to win the World Championship within a year of starting her professional sporting career. Having taken part in thirteen Ironman races, she was undefeated in all of them.
- Mirinda Carfrae
Mirinda Carfrae, an Australian triathlete, is another standout in the sport. She rose to prominence in 2007 when she won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. She secured three victories in 2010, 2013, and 2014. As a fierce competitor, she finished runner-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016.
Her background in competitive swimming, coupled with a talent for running, allowed her to excel in the triathlon discipline.
- Anabel Knoll
Anabel Knoll is an up-and-coming triathlete. She came in third at the 2022 Arena Games Triathlon in Munich. She also competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in the women’s event and the mixed relay event.
- Paula Newby-Fraser
Paula Newby-Fraser, known as the “Queen of Kona,” is a trailblazer for women in triathlon history. She is an eight-time Ironman World Champion and has won a staggering 24 Ironman races in total.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, Newby-Fraser began her triathlon career in the 1980s and quickly made a name for herself in the sport. Sports Illustrated named her one of the top 60 athletes of the 20th century, highlighting her significant achievements and contributions to the world of triathlon.
- Rachel Klamer
Rachel Klamer began her triathlon journey as a teenager, having won the Junior National Triathlon Championships in Aalsmeer in North Holland and the Junior Duathlon Championships in Oss. When she was 18 years old, she participated in two Premium European Cups.
Later in her career, the athlete came second in the 2018 and 2019 Championship Super League Triathlon and won silver at the Arena Games in 2020. You might also be interested in our guide on what to bring to a 70.3.
- Julie Moss
Julie Moss is an iconic figure in triathlon history, best known for her extraordinary perseverance during the 1982 Ironman World Championship. Her determination to crawl across the finish line, despite being physically drained, has left a lasting impression on the sport and garnered praise from many female pros.
- Michellie Jones
Michellie Jones has over 175 career victories across various distances. She dominated the sport for over 20 years and is widely considered one of the top 10 female triathletes of all time. The Australian athlete’s most notable wins include becoming the first Australian woman to win the Ironman World Championship, two ITU Triathlon World Championships, as well as an XTERRA Triathlon World Championship. You might also be interested in learning about these famous Ironman triathletes.
- Georgia Taylor-Brown
Georgia Taylor-Brown is considered the United Kingdom’s most successful female Olympic triathlete. She won the gold medal as part of the 2020 Olympic Triathlon Mixed Relay as well as the silver medal Olympic Triathlon, which took place in the summer of 2021. She also won the Super League Triathlon Championship Series in 2021 and again in 2022.
- Beth Potter
Beth Potter has running in her blood. The Scottish athlete’s father is a competitive runner, while her sister is a running coach.
Potter took home the gold at the 2021 Super League Triathlon Arena Games in London. One year later, she won the 2022 Arena Games Triathlon series, making her the very first Esports Triathlon World Champion. She also represented the UK at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Natascha Badmann
Natascha Badmann has had a record-breaking career. In the late 90s, she was crowned the first European woman to win the Ironman Triathlon World Championships. She went on to have six Ironman World Championship wins.
- Yuko Takahashi
Yuko Takahashi is a Japanese Olympian, having competed in the women’s event in the 2020 Summer Olympics and the mixed relay event. Prior to this, she came in first place in the 2018 Asian Games in the women’s triathlon as well as winning the mixed relay event.
- Charlotte McShane
Charlotte McShane was inspired by her father to enter the world of triathlon. She got off to a promising start, having won the 2008 U20 Xterra World Triathlon Champion at the age of 18. One year later, she won gold at the Elite Female Victorian Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships, the Elite Female Northern Territory Long Distance Championships, as well as the Elite Female Murrayman South Australian Long Distance Championships.
In more recent times, she finished in 11th place in the women’s event at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. If you liked this post, you might be interested in these funny triathlon quotes.
This article was researched with the help of OpenAI and fact-checked and edited by our human editor.
