This 80-Year-Old Woman Runs Over 50 Marathons a Year and Shows No Signs of Stopping

Sister Madonna Buder took up running at age 48, on the suggestion of a retreat leader who said it would help her improve her concentration and prayer. By age 52 she had completed her first triathlon. By age 75 she became the oldest woman ever to finish an Ironman triathlon (a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run, all in one day).

She has now completed over 340 triathlons, including more than 45 Ironmans, breaking age-group records every step of the way. The Ironman organization had to create new age categories for athletes over 80 specifically because of her.

The "Iron Nun"

• Born in 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri
• Joined the Sisters for Christian Community as a young woman
• Started running at 48; first marathon at 52
• First Ironman at 55
• At 82, completed an Ironman in Subaru Ironman Canada in 16:32
• At 86, finished her last full Ironman, after the cutoff but officially recognized
• Still competes in shorter triathlons in her 90s

Her Philosophy

"The only thing that limits us is the limits we put on ourselves," she said in a 2018 interview. She does not believe in retirement, and considers training a form of prayer. She still trains six days a week.

Sister Buder is a member of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, the Ironman Hall of Fame, and has been featured in over 100 magazine profiles worldwide.