Inishowen native Gráinne Byrne is all set to take on the ultimate challenge of the Ironman World Championship competition this Saturday in Kona, Hawaii.

Gráinne from Malin, who is based in Perth, took up triathlons while the pandemic hit.

She completed her first Ironman in Cairns back on June 23, which led her to qualify for the worlds.

Training for such a competition is no easy feat, and Gráinne has put in an extensive amount of hours. Since June, she has spent 127 hours running, 280 hours cycling, and 75 hours swimming, all in preparation for the competition.

Gráinne’s family at home holds a special place in her heart, and she recently got the opportunity to participate in her family’s Mizen to Malin challenge, which raised funds for the RNLI in memory of her father, John Byrne.

Her family back home in Malin is incredibly proud of her.

Gráinne had the honour of being Ireland’s flag bearer in the opening Parade of Nations ahead of the VinFast Ironman World Championship, which is the first women’s-only world championship race. More than 2,000 triathletes from about 70 countries are set to take part.

Grainne Byrne from Malin is interviewed during the Parade of Nations