Commonwealth Games representative, Annabel Luxford has called time on her professional triathlon career after 27 years in the sport. 

Announcing her retirement on her Instagram on Monday morning, Luxford wrote that her final race at the Husky Triathlon Festival was “the full stop to my triathlon story that I wanted”.

“Triathlon has shown me the world and given me friends that are lifelong – two things that are worth more than every podium,” Luxford said.

“While swimming, riding and running are loves that will always be part of my life, I’m ready to spend some more time chasing new adventures and pursuits. And I’m excited to help Gus discover his own passions and joy as he grows.”

Luxford first stormed on the triathlon scene as a talented junior, quickly racking up four consecutive Queensland All Schools titles and a 4th place finish at the 1999 Junior World Championships, putting the triathlon community on notice. 

Moving into the elite ranks, Luxford juggled competing with university studies for some time, before taking the leap to full time triathlete in 2004 with stunning success. Finishing second overall in the ITU World Cup rankings that year, it was just the start of a hugely successful period of racing for Luxford. She won the 2004 ITU U23 World Championships, and after topping the World Cup rankings in 2005, Luxford finished second at the 2005 ITU World Championships. From there, Luxford made her only major Games appearance, taking a commendable 5th at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. 

While Luxford has continued to race draft-legal Olympic distance events throughout her career, over the past decade she has moved into longer distance and non-drafting racing with equally impressive success. Memorable moments in her long-distance career include an Ironman 70.3 Canberra win in her 70.3 debut, as well as her 2013 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship title, bronze at the 2013 Ironman 70.3 World Championships, 12th at the 2015 Ironman World Championships and bronze at the 2018 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships. 

Speaking on Luxford’s retirement, Triathlon Australia National Performance Director Justin Drew commended Luxford on her outstanding career.  

“Very few athletes have achieved the level and variety of results over their career that Annabel has been able to,” Drew said.

“What she has brought to the National Team Program throughout her career, from her early days as a junior through to international success as a senior athlete, is something that she should feel very proud of and that the sport should celebrate.”

Triathlon Australia would like to congratulate Annabel on her exceptional career. We wish her and her family all the best for the future. 

Athletic Performance
Athletic Career: 1994-2021
World Triathlon Career: 1999 – 2018
Commonwealth Games representative (2006)
2004 U23 World Champion
2005 ITU World Championship silver medallist
2013 Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Champion
2013 Ironman 70.3 World Championship bronze medallist
2018 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship bronze medallist
2005 World Cup Rankings – 1st overall
2004 World Cup Rankngs – 2nd overall
16 x World Triathlon Cup podiums