Cherie Gruenfeld is one of the most decorated Master’s triathletes in the world today.
Thirty years ago, Cherie was an executive in the computer software business, didn’t own a bike, and had never been in a lap pool. That all changed when she left the corporate world to attempt an Ironman triathlon, which is a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon.
Cherie has competed in twenty-eight Ironman races, including the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii 22 times where she has won the world title in her age group fourteen times. In 2022, Cherie became the oldest female to ever finish the Ironman World Championship event at 78 years of age.
In 2012 and again in 2014 Cherie won “The Double” - the world Half-Ironman (70.3) title and the World Ironman title in the same year. Currently, she is a 4- time 70.3 World Champion. She is the first female over 55 years of age ever to break the twelve-hour mark in an Ironman and she did it in Hawaii, the toughest course in the world.
For those and a host of other achievements, Cherie has received many awards, including being honored by the World Triathlon Corporation in 2000 as the Age Grouper of the Year and in 2001 she was featured on the Wheaties cereal box.
In January 2020, Cherie was inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame for her athletic achievements and her contribution to the sport of triathlon and in August 2021 she was to be inducted into the Port Angeles High School Hall of Fame.
Although racing triathlons is a passion, it isn’t her greatest passion. What drives her now is working with a group of at-risk kids in San Bernardino. As the Founder and Director of the Exceeding Expectations Foundation, Cherie is using her love of sports to help the kids become the best they can be.
Her education includes an AA in Computer Science, a BA in English and Education, and a Master's in Education/Learning Disabilities.
She has published a book, Become an Ironman, which is available on Amazon.com.
