Ironman with cystic fibrosis
Kirsty Parsons will line up at Ironman New Zealand in Taupō on Saturday 7 March 2026, aiming to become the first New Zealand woman with cystic fibrosis (CF) to complete the iconic endurance event.
The 32-year-old is used to big challenges. Kirsty lives with CF and for much of her life spent hours every day doing physio and taking medication to stay healthy.
“For a long time, something like Ironman would have been impossible for me,” she says.
“Now I’m training consistently, getting stronger, and trusting my body in ways I never could before. I’m doing this for everyone in New Zealand living with CF, and for the community that’s supported me my whole life.”
Kirsty is using her Ironman campaign to fundraise for Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand (CFNZ), helping support people living with CF and their families across the country. She says she’d never done so much as a 5km run until last year.
“I really hadn’t done any competitive events before embarking on this journey, but I'm quite stubborn and quite mentally strong. I think that's a trait of people with CF, you become internally very motivated and used to having these targets.”
For Kirsty, competing in Ironman is a full circle moment. As a teenager in 2008, she was first introduced to the event when Ironman partnered with CFNZ. At the time, Kirsty was paired with athlete Patrick Bristowe as an “Ironman buddy” and got to run down the finish chute alongside him, a moment that sparked her long-standing connection to the event.
“Watching Ironman as a kid completely blew my mind,” says Kirsty. “Getting to run down the finish chute was so special, and to now be preparing to stand on the start line myself feels surreal.”
Living with CF has meant years of daily treatment and frequent hospital admissions to stay well. Kirsty says her training and the confidence to take on this challenge has been made possible by access to the medication Trikafta, which has transformed her health and quality of life.
“Before I started Trikafta I was struggling to walk to and from the supermarket. Then after a week of taking the drug I just felt like I’d been put in this brand new body. It’s changed my life drastically and it’s amazing to now be preparing to do an endurance race.”
Kirsty grew up fundraising for CFNZ, with her family deeply involved in the organisation.
She serves as the adult representative on the CFNZ Board and says fundraising remains critical, even as treatments improve.
“CFNZ supports not just the person with CF, but their whole family.
“That support is still incredibly important, and that’s why I wanted to use this moment to give back.”
CFNZ Executive Lead, Simone Brown said it was an exciting time for the cystic fibrosis community.
“The adults within our community continue to push boundaries and set incredibly high bars for achievement. It not only demonstrates the strength and resilience of living with cystic fibrosis but shines a bright light on the potential life and future that our younger generations can look forward to and be inspired by.
Kirsty’s brother, Duncan Parsons, is racing alongside her as he too contests the event and raises money for the cause.
Ironman New Zealand takes place in Taupō on Saturday March 7, 2026, with athletes completing a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run. Kirsty is coached by Mike “Bushy” Bush.
To support Kirsty’s fundraising and CFNZ’s work, visit her Givealittle page.
Kirsty Parsons trains for Ironman.