Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to compete in New Zealand Ironman triathlon

PHOENIX – Kyrsten Sinema is running.

And swimming. And biking.

The freshman U.S. senator from Arizona left for New Zealand on Wednesday to compete in an Ironman triathlon this weekend.

It will be Sinema’s third Ironman, a grueling test of endurance consisting of, in order, a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a full marathon run of 26.2 miles.

According to Sinema’s office, she’ll be taking part in Saturday’s race in Taupo, New Zealand, as part of the Women for Tri program, which encourages female participation in triathlon events.

Sinema is a member of the organization’s advisory committee.

While in the House of Representatives, Sinema became the first sitting member of Congress to complete an Ironman at the 2013 Arizona event. She also did the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii, in 2015.

A longtime avid runner, the 42-year-old hit the streets of Phoenix last month, two weeks after being sworn into the Senate, for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

On Feb. 9, Sinema ran the Sprouts Mesa-PHX Half Marathon in a personal-best time of 1 hour, 39 minutes.

Today was pretty epic. Ran my fastest half mary ever, 1:39! Then I ran some extra miles as Penie PRed her marathon in 3:49! Thx 2 Mesa PD for their support and a shout out to the #Squad for PRs all round!#bettysquad19 #stylishaf #fierce #asfastasican #womenfortri #squadgoals pic.twitter.com/TcutZl8Jbg

— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) February 9, 2019

Since its inception, Women for Tri has awarded nearly $250,000 in grants to triathlon clubs supporting female triathlon participation, Sinema’s office said.

While in New Zealand, Sinema plans to meet with local triathlete Samantha Warriner, who is a Women for Tri ambassador, and visit with two triathlon clubs that are seeking 2019 grants from the organization.

Follow @kstonezone