From 9 years old to 88, largest all-women triathlon brings over 1,000 triathletes to Anchorage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Female triathletes competed on Sunday in the 2025 Gold Nugget Triathlon, the largest all-women triathlon in the country.

This year’s triathlon brought 1,630 competitors from 30 different Alaskan cities, 17 U.S. states, one U.S. territory, and Canada.

Beginning at Bartlett High School early Sunday morning, the youngest competitor was nine years old, while the oldest — Millie Spezialy — was 88.

“I feel better,” Spezialy said after finishing. “About two years ago, I got into my zen spot and relaxed, and I rest before and I just kind of flow with it as I go.”

This was Spezialy’s 32nd time competing in the GNT, one of six racers to compete more than 30 times.

Two of those six, Diane Barnett and Idamarie Piccard, have competed in the GNT every year since its inception 41 years ago.

“It’s like a big family reunion when you come every year and see them, you know, so it’s a community,” Spezialy said. “And then you have your friends to train with, you know, and then it gets me ready for summer hiking and things.”

Each competitor began with a 400-yard swim, followed by a 12.1-mile bike ride, and finished off by running or walking 3.25 miles.

At the finish line, they were greeted by friends, family, and food and drinks to celebrate their achievement.

Spezialy described her fellow competitors as heroes and talked about a friend who was inspired to race after her 15-year-old daughter did it last year.

“She didn’t know how to swim, and she didn’t know how to bike,” Spezialy said. “This year she learned how to swim, she learned how to bike and hits her first triathlon this year, Ellen is her name. You know, so it just really empowers women to try things.”

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