Northern Territory local Allirra Jennings is a passionate triathlete who has been able to experience the sport both at home and abroad, and she is focused on empowering more women in the sport.
“I merged from marathon running to triathlon after being inspired by triathlete friends in Katherine in the Northern Territory,” Jennings said.
“My first handful of events were sprint triathlons and as a team member in the Katherine Ultra Challenge in 2017, and I completed my first solo half Ironman at the Sunshine Coast in 2021, and then my first full triathlon distance in Roth 2025.
“I have been fortunate to race in beautiful locations in Australia and Europe and my heart is full with special moments, they are all really special equally.
“Training in Darwin is tough and has limited training options, so being able to go open water swimming in the crystal waters of Busselton, ride past windmills in Holland or run the length of Mooloolaba is a massive blessing.
“During each event, I usually spend my hours thinking about how lucky I am to be able to go to these locations and being grateful to have a body that enables me to do these distances.
“I am also eternally grateful that I have a husband, family and friends that support and encourage these endeavours.”
Involved with the triathlon community for almost a decade, Allirra strives to replicate the elements of the community that empower into her everyday life.
“I hope to live a life that mirrors everything that is special about triathlon,” she said.
“Preparedness – take consideration into planning, be prepared for the unexpected and understand that sometimes, despite best intentions, it’s just not our day.
“Challenges – you can excel in what you’re naturally good at, or, you can challenge yourself to be better in different situations.
“Cheer for others – the laps don’t get shorter the less you cheer for others, so cheer for those on their first lap, and cheer for those on their fourth lap.”
In her journey to help inspire others to participate in triathlon, Allirra has recently been an MC and supported two local women events, helping to increase female participation in the sport.
“I have terrible social anxiety that I can hide very well, and I have great first hand experience with anxiety and self doubt,” she said.
“So I morph into ‘MC Allirra’ and become someone that the real me would need and appreciate on their triathlon journey.
“My inner voice of self doubt is really loud, so I know what to focus on when someone also has that voice.
“I have also noticed that during the line up to these events or the bus trip to the start, I am always alongside a very nervous debutante.
“To be helpful, I focus on things that empower them: ‘What was your longest training ride…oh that’s the perfect distance’ or ‘What’s your longest run…Wow, that’s impressive. You’ll smash the run.’
“To anyone considering starting their journey, I say – it is an excellent sport to get into because there are so many options with distances and training avenues.
“You can’t find a better group of people.
“It’s one of the few sports where the athletes you are competing against, wholeheartedly want you to succeed.”
