At 71 years, Gwyn Guiney from Bloemfontein is one of the best examples of a woman showing many young people that age is but a number.
She recently finished another Half Ironman race and was the only woman in that age group, ensuring her a top spot with a time of 7:29.32.
Gwyn has taken part in triathlons in her younger years, but made the decision to return to the sport about a decade ago.
“I started again when I turned 60 to bring more balance between exercise and work,” she says. Since then, she completed in a number of Ironman competitions every year across South Africa X the events taking place in East London, Durban, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Mossel Bay as well as overseas events in Phuket, Langwaki and Behrain.
Gwyn completed a full Ironman race in 2019 at the age of 67.
“I ran marathons in South Africa and all over the world – my favourite being the London Marathon in 1997 and the Boston Marathon in 1998.”
She also participated in two Two Oceans ultra marathons, as well as four Comrades marathons from 1997 to 2000.
She not only ran all over, but also completed 21 Midmar Mile swims and 13 Argus cycling races as well as many other cycling events in South Africa.
As in sport, she also took unexpected turns in her career.
After she held various positions in the corporate world, she started studies in psychology when she turned 49 years in 2001.
“I qualified as a psychologist in 2008 and started in private practice in Bloemfontein. I had to focus on my studies so did not take part in many events during this time,” she says.
There came a point where she realised that she needed more balance in her life.
“Most challenges are partly all in the mind. If you believe you can do it and you have good health and can discipline yourself, then nothing should stop you from achieving your goals.”
Most challenges are partly all in the mind. If you believe you can do it and you have good health and can discipline yourself, then nothing should stop you from achieving your goals.
– Gwyn Guiney
