Australian triathlon legend Mirinda Carfrae has announced her retirement from professional triathlon. Carfrae has enjoyed an unparalleled Ironman career, including three victories at the Hawaiian IRONMAN World Championships.
Last year Carfrae was inducted into the Triathlon Australia's Hall of Fame at the 2022 Triathlon Australia Celebration of Champions Awards night on the Gold Coast alongside fellow triple Hawaiian Ironman winner and new Hall of Famer Craig Alexander OAM.
Carfrae began her professional triathlon career in short course racing in Australia in 1999 before transitioning to 70.3 racing and ultimately making her IRONMAN debut in 2009. She made 10 starts at the Hawaiian IRONMAN World Championships and finished on the podium seven times, with three victories, three second-place finishes, and one third-place finish. Carfrae attributed her success to her ability to run a world-class marathon after completing the swim and bike legs of the race.
Reflecting on her career, Carfrae said on her social media “I have LIVED my dreams and created memories that will last a lifetime. The risk I took to embark on this journey to become a triathlete has been the best decision of my life”.
Throughout her career, Carfrae never forgot her roots and was grateful for the support and funding she received from Triathlon Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). She credited her success to the support of nutritionists, psychologists, and physiologists, and the late Jackie Fairweather and Craig Alexander, who helped her enormously in her early years in the sport.
Carfrae said she had achieved more than she had ever dreamed of in her career and was grateful for everything she had learned along the way and the people she had met. She thanked her sport for giving her a great lifestyle and opportunities beyond her imagination, including meeting her husband and starting a family.
Carfrae also thanked the greater triathlon community in her retirement announcement. “To the triathlon supporters, thank you for every cheer, sweet comment on my social media, and high fives at races. The triathlon community is truly special, and your support has been invaluable to me”.
In addition to her success on the race course, Carfrae was known for her determination, resilience, and sportsmanship. She overcame setbacks and injuries throughout her career, including a serious bike accident in 2019 that left her with a broken pelvis and collarbone.
In a statement announcing her retirement, she said that “it’s time I move onto the next chapter and I can’t help but feel excited about what’s to come. I am certain that this new journey will bring just as much fulfillment and joy as my time as a triathlete”.
Carfrae's retirement marks the end of an era in triathlon, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes. She has been inducted into the Triathlon Australia Hall of Fame and is considered a role model for her dedication, hard work, and humility. As she looks forward to the next chapter of her life, Carfrae can take pride in all that she has achieved and the impact she has had on the sport.
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