The Physiology Behind Women Kicking A** at Ultraman Races

March 28, 2024

When professional triathlete and multi-time iron-distance champion Michelle Vesterby crossed the finish line of Ultraman Arizona in 24:28:06 a couple of weeks ago and became the race’s overall champion, the first man didn’t follow until more than two hours later in 26:57:57. Further, five of the top 10 overall finishers at this year’s Ultraman Arizona were women.

Vesterby’s outstanding win isn’t the only example of women crushing it at ultra-distance triathlons. Professional triathlete Dede Griesbauer set a new women’s world record at the 2020 Ultraman World Championships in Hawai’i, in a time of 22:48:31 (the previous record was 24:07:11) and was the second overall finisher. Did we mention she was 49 years old at the time? Triathlete