Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics Jacqui Graham and Clare Harris have competed in the Ironman World Championships that took place last month in France.
The triathlon consisted of a gruelling 3.8-kilometre ocean swim, 180-kilometre bike ride and 42.2-kilometre (marathon) run, and featured top competitors from across the globe.
Paramedic Jacqui Graham at Nice, France competing.
Acting Yea Team Manager Jacqui Graham said it was a challenging but fulfilling experience.
“It was a tough course, ranked one of the toughest Ironman courses there is due to the hills, so I knew it was going to be a long day, but I’m happy with the end result.”
“My time was eleven hours and 18 minutes, and my goal was to hit around the eleven-hour mark so I’m happy with that.”
She placed 37th in her age group and 129th out of more than 1000 competitors across all categories.
Jacqui said she appreciated the support she received from her hometown of Yea and ambulance colleagues while she competed abroad.
“My whole town was behind me, I felt like I had the whole town tracking along with the app, and a lot of support from the ambulance world too.”
Having completed the World Ironman Championships, Jacqui now has her eyes set on the Half Ironman World Championships set to take place in New Zealand on 14 December.
“That one is a little less daunting knowing that it’s half the distance, it’ll make for a shorter and less enduring day,” Jacqui said.
Paramedic Clare Harris at the Ironman World Championships.
Craigieburn Paramedic Clare Harris also competed at the Ironman World Championship – with this event being the third she has taken part in.
“I’ve got a long history with endurance sports – I first started with marathons in 2015, then did ultra-marathons and finally did my first Ironman in 2022,” Clare said.
Clare said that the World Ironman Championship was a challenging course to complete due to the mountainous terrain.
“The cycle leg was really hard as it had an elevation gain of 2400 metres. The last Ironman I did had an elevation gain of around 60 metres.”
Clare had been training extensively in the lead-up to the competition, training on average 15 hours a week.
“It was a challenge finding the time to train, but I enjoy doing it as it’s a great way to stay physically and mentally fit.”
“I think anything if possible if you put your mind to it, and this is something that I really wanted to achieve.”
Ambulance Victoria congratulates Jacqui and Clare for their fantastic effort abroad in the World Ironman Championships.
Paramedic Clare Harris (left) and Jacqui Graham (right) at work
