Ten years, kids, work, life…and one bold leap back into the world of triathlon—Sinead’s story embodies exactly what Finish Lines Not Finish Times is all about.
After her husband spotted the Illawarra Triathlon Club’s program on Instagram and shared it, Sinead signed up, having wanted to do another triathlon but not being sure about getting started again. What she couldn’t have known – she was about to join a group of women who shared the same hesitations: Was triathlon too tough for beginners? Would everyone be ultra-fit? Would everyone be kitted out in the top gear with expensive bikes and aero helmets? She also didn’t know this group was to become a powerhouse to propel each other into the sport!
They started with borrowed bikes, some dusted and dragged from the back of the garage, a mix of experience levels, and a whole lot of determination. With expert guidance from Coach Jacqui Allen, this group of incredible women built skills, confidence, and friendships that carried them from their training, to their first race day with Illawarra Triathlon Club; which put all of the training into practice, particularly the open water skills arriving on their start line to a surf that challenged them to prove their grit!
But it didn’t stop there. Since crossing that first finish line together, they’ve kept training and racing—from weekly Sunday long rides to Batemans Bay, Wollongong, Kiama Triathlons and counting—collecting medals, upgrading gear, and pushing limits. One member has even set her sights on an Ironman.
Beyond the race results, Sinead highlights something deeper: representation matters. The more women in sport, the more it becomes the norm—not just for themselves but for younger generations too.
This program, Finish Lines Not Finish Times, wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the NSW Office of Sport who continue to champion women in sport. Seventeen NSW triathlon clubs run programs and events supporting this initiative across the State including 11 regional locations. Thanks Sinead for getting in touch with us and sharing the importance of programs like this in our communities.
