Search
shop

Australian long course legend and Kona podium finisher calls time on decorated triathlon career

Multiple IRONMAN winner and Kona podium finisher Sarah Crowley has retired after more than 20 years in the sport.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

After more than two decades racing in the sport, Australian Sarah Crowley has announced her decision to step back from professional triathlon.

The 41-year-old, who hails from Adelaide in South Australia, is one of the country’s most decorated long course women, having twice finished on the podium at the IRONMAN World Championship.

In addition to her success in Hawaii, Crowley also clinched all three major Australian IRONMAN titles in 2022 and has more than 35 professional podiums to her name.

World Champs win and Australian Triple Crown

Having originally raced short course triathlon, before stepping back to focus on cycling and running and then returning to triathlon in 2012, Crowley has amassed a huge amount of race experience in her career.

Sarah Crowley winning GWM IRONMAN Western Australia - Photo Korupt Vision
[Photo credit: Korupt Vision]

During her best period as a professional, Crowley clinched the ITU Long Distance title in 2017, before going on to pick up her first podium in Kona behind Daniela Ryf and Lucy Charles-Barclay.

In 2018 and 2019, wins at IRONMAN Hamburg and IRONMAN Arizona sandwiched a second place finish behind Charles-Barclay at Challenge Roth and a second podium in Kona, with a whole host of other wins and podiums scattered in-between.

Most recently, Crowley made history in 2022 when she became the first person to win the Australian Triple Crown, triumphing at IRONMAN Australia in Port Macquarie, IRONMAN Cairns and finally IRONMAN Western Australia, all within a single season.

“To every little girl, you can do anything”

In an inspiring message posted alongside her retirement announcement, Crowley said that her career in sport allowed her to achieve things she had never thought possible.

Sarah Crowley wins IRONMAN Cairns photo Korupt Vision]
[Photo credit: IRONMAN Cairns / Korupt Vision]

“Today marks the end of a 22 year career racing elite triathlon. I have lived the dream for the last 8 years making amazing memories and meeting fantastic lifelong friends all over the world. This was made possible by the incredible support of my brands. 

“I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, a small and remote city and I am blown away by the opportunities this world brings if you trely focus on what you want.

“To every little girl, you can do anything. I have a new and exciting opportunity that I can’t wait to share. As for now my body is sore and tired and ready for a rest and a party!”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025: Date, start time, how to watch and who’s racing
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...