After months of dedicated training, we are proud to celebrate Cookie’s remarkable achievement at the Women’s IRONMAN World Championships. Competing on the global stage, Cookie proved that her resilience and determination truly know no bounds.
Following her impressive triathlon performances throughout 2023, our Operations & Facilities Assistant, Vicki Ayriss (known as “Cookie” to her friends), earned a qualifying spot in the inaugural VinFast Women’s IRONMAN World Championships. Her outstanding performance secured her 131st place out of 1,384 competitors (top 8.7% of all non-professional athletes) and 19th out of 143 participants in her age group.
Cookie’s triathlon journey began much earlier than this championship race. In 2015, as a single mum to twin girls, she took her first steps toward fitness with the Couch to 5K program, parkruns, and local buggy boot camp exercise classes. What began as a way to stay active soon grew into a passion for running, eventually leading her to the world stage among top athletes.
We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Cookie throughout her Ironman journey. Whether you donated, sent messages of encouragement, or followed her story, your support has meant the world to Cookie and has helped make this journey possible.
Although this chapter has come to a close, Cookie’s journey is not over.
Know that the support I have is what got me through the tough times. Thank you all so much, I can't say enough how much having you all follow along means to me. Oh, and maybe I should mention - little ol' me, 19th in my age group and 131st in the world... I am an Ironman!