Incredible 81-year-old 18-time age-group world champion inducted into IRONMAN Hall of Fame

It has been announced that Cherie Gruenfeld, one of the most highly decorated age-group athletes, will be inducted into the IRONMAN Hall of Fame this year.

An induction ceremony is planned for next week, the race week of the women’s 2025 IRONMAN World Championship race in Kona, Hawaii.

Gruenfeld completed her first triathlon at the age of 48 and participated in her first IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Kona in 1992 that same year.

Beacon for the sport

After discovering running and completing her first triathlon, the sport became Cherie’s passion. Cherie left behind a job in management at a tech company to pursue the sport full time and she hasn’t looked back since.

With an incredible 14 IRONMAN World Champion age group titles, Cherie has also won four IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship age group titles (most recently the 2024 edition in Taupō, New Zealand), authored a book about her IRONMAN experience, and started a program called Exceeding Expectations in 2001 that helps at-risk kids in San Bernardino, California achieve excellence in education through the foundations of triathlon and sport.

She continues to be a beacon in sport, showcasing the possibilities and living by the example she has spent more than 30 years creating.

“My 33-year IRONMAN journey has been a gift, and I’m deeply honoured to be recognised among so many accomplished athletes and contributors,” said Gruenfeld after learning she would be this year’s inductee into the IRONMAN Hall of Fame.

Still setting new records

In 2022, Cherie became the oldest female ever to complete the IRONMAN World Championship triathlon, at 78 years old. In so doing, earning her 14th age group title in Kona.

The honour proved to be a fitting capstone on a remarkable ongoing career that has spanned over 30 years and included 28 IRONMAN races, 18 IRONMAN age-group category wins, and 14 IRONMAN World Championship age-group titles.

Gruenfeld is also a USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee and has been named the USA Triathlon Female Grandmaster of the Year on three separate occasions (2001, 2007, 2014).

“We are honoured to induct Cherie to our IRONMAN Hall of Fame,” said Scott DeRue, Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group. “Cherie is an exemplary ambassador for the sport, has dedicated a lifetime to triathlon and the IRONMAN brand, and has championed what it means to be an age-group IRONMAN World Champion numerous times over.

“Her achievements have furthered the sport and inspired many to embrace the IRONMAN mantra, ‘Anything is Possible’. We are proud to recognise Cherie as the newest deserving member of the IRONMAN Hall of Fame, and thank her for her lasting impact on our sport.”

Founded in 1993, the IRONMAN Hall of Fame was created to honour individuals who have performed at the highest levels of IRONMAN racing or made outstanding contributions to the growth of the world’s most famous triathlon race series.

IRONMAN Hall of Fame inductees