Oldest person to complete an IRONMAN® triathlon (female)
- Who
- Madonna Buder
- What
- 82:033 year(s):day(s)
- Where
- Canada
- When
- 26 August 2012
The oldest person to complete an IRONMAN® triathlon (female) is 82 years 33 days, achieved by Madonna Buder (USA, b. 24 July 1930), who completed the IRONMAN® Canada, in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, on 26 August 2012.
Buder - nicknamed the 'Iron Nun' - is a professional triathlete and former religious sister. She did not complete her first triathlon until the age of 52, having only begun endurance training at the age of 48. She completed her training while serving a vow of poverty, relying on donations from others, as well as waived entrance fees for events and shelter provided by other competitors before races.
She completed the record-breaking triathlon in 16 hr 32 min.
In 2014, Buder was inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, and has continued competing in triathlon events well into her 90s.