Sarah’s Ironman Leeds Challenge: Supporting Female Veterans!

Hi, I’m Sarah Taylor - and on 27 July 2025, I’ll be standing on the start line of Ironman Leeds.

I will be completing a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle, and a full marathon - all in one day!

It’s the biggest physical and mental challenge I’ve ever taken on. But for me, this is about more than the race.

I joined the Womens Royal Naval Service (WRNS) at the age of 17. When the WRNS was disbanded in 1993, I went on to become a 'proper' sailor and signed for sea service also transferring to the RN Police. Although I never actually went to sea as I get very sea sick I had the pleasure of serving in Diego Garcia for two years.

After 12 years of service I decided that it was time to hang up the hand cuffs and pursue a career in civvie street.

I've always been very proud of my Naval career and always happy to tell anyone that will listen about my days in a blue suit.

I have the added bonus of being an associate member of the Royal Navy Triathlon Team and wear their team kit with pride.

Turning 50 has been a major mile stone for me and has made me pause and reflect on my next chapter in life. I wanted to push myself in a new way, not to prove anything to anyone else, but to reconnect with myself - to reignite that spark.

That journey started with a sprint triathlon. At the time, I could barely swim 25 metres front crawl, hadn’t been on a road bike in years, and had only ever run 10K. But I gave it a go...and I finished!

That day lit something up inside me, and since then, I’ve completed a 70.3 Ironman. Now, I’m training for the full distance Ironman.

Training for an Ironman is brutal, there has been plenty of tears on this journey and I'm sure there will be lots more before 27 July 2025.

My journey has become something much bigger than just me, I'm hoping to inspire ladies out there that age is not a barrier and more importantly that the menopause will not define us. I want to empower women to believe in their inner strength embrace their potential and discover that 'Anything is possible'.

This challenge is giving me back a part of myself I didn’t even realise I was missing.

Why I’m fundraising

I’m raising money for Female Veterans Alliance CIC; a volunteer-run, national non-profit organisation supporting women who’ve served in the UK armed forces. As a female veteran myself, I know the unique challenges that some women face during service, transition and beyond. Civilian life doesn’t always make space for us and our stories are often overlooked.

There are approx 240,000 female veterans registered in the UK and Female Veterans Alliance is on a mission to bring us together. Through retreats, research, events, and advocacy, they’re creating a space where women like me can reconnect, rebuild, and truly be seen. They’re doing work that truly matters - for a community I’m proud to be part of.

Let’s do this together

This Ironman is my challenge. It’s personal. But if I can use it to raise awareness and support other women along the way, then it becomes something even more powerful.

Your support means the world - to me, and to the incredible team at Female Veterans Alliance. Every penny raised will go towards helping them keep creating spaces where female veterans feel seen, heard, and truly supported

Thank you for reading. Thank you for believing in me. And thank you for helping make this journey count - for me, and for others.

Let’s do this!

Sarah x