Operation Ironwoman

TQCC member Emily Bond became the first woman to complete every UK IRONMAN race in a single season. Through Operation Ironwoman, she is aiming to raise £10,000 for four charities.

The challenge

A full IRONMAN covers 140.6 miles: a swim of 2.4 miles, a bike ride of 112 miles and a run of 26.2 miles, completed back to back. In 2026, Emily completed all five of the UK's IRONMAN races in a single season and became the first woman to achieve the feat. She calls it Operation Ironwoman.

Emily is an aerospace engineering PhD student and endurance athlete. Her season began at IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton and concluded at IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth, just one week after she completed IRONMAN Wales in Tenby.

Emily Bond's story

In 2018, major surgery on both of Emily's legs left her unable to run for around two and a half years. Completing an IRONMAN seemed impossible.

In October 2024 she signed up for her first 5k, which she ran in April 2025. She then bought a second-hand bike from a friend and entered her first triathlon. After just four months of unstructured training she completed IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth, and the idea for Operation Ironwoman was born.

At IRONMAN Leeds she covered the 112 miles bike course and the full marathon run in a time of 13 hours 48 minutes 57 seconds.

Emily Bond, profiles and interviews

Follow Emily and hear her tell the story behind Operation Ironwoman in her own words.

The races

Five starts, five finishes, all in one season.

The journey

From club rides and open-water training to five finish lines across the UK.

Who is Emily raising money for?

Each of the four charities has played a part in Emily's own life.