Cherie Gruenfeld inducted into IRONMAN Hall of Fame

Cherie Gruenfeld has been inducted into the IRONMAN Hall of Fame this year.

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.

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 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.

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

In 2022, Cherie became the oldest female ever to complete the World Championship triathlon, at 78 years old. In so doing, earning her 14th age group title in Kona. The honor proved to be a fitting capstone on a remarkable ongoing career that has spanned over 30 years and included 28 races, 18 age-group category wins, and 14 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 honored to induct Cherie to our 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 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 recognize Cherie as the newest deserving member of the Hall of Fame, and thank her for her lasting impact on our sport.”

IRONMAN Hall of Fame: