Maggie Rusch

Nationality: USA
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Born: 1987
Discipline: Pro Ironman Triathlete

Website: https://maggierusch.com/

Social Media:

Career Highlights

1st 2012 Rev3 Wisconsin Dells - OA Am
1st 2012 Rev3 Florida 70.3 - OA Am
1st 2014 Ironman Coeur d'Alene - OA Am
1st 2014 Ironman New Orleans - OA Am
1st 2015 Lake Logan Olympic - OA
2nd 2013 Rev3 Branson 70.3 - OA Am
2nd 2014 Norseman Xtreme Ironman - OA Am
3rd 2013 Ironman Racine 70.3 - OA Am
12th 2015 Ironman Chattanooga - Pro
13th 2015 Ironman Mont Tremblant - Pro

  • What are your favorite hobbies?

Sitting still is hard for me so even on my rest days, so I tend to stay active! My 2-year-old lab, Lucy, and I will usually go hike the mountain to sea trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway or visit one of the many dog-friendly breweries around Asheville.

  • How did you get your start in triathlon?

I lettered in 5 sports in high-school (volleyball, track, swimming, cross-country, soccer) so picking a single sport has never been my specialty. I was actually recruited to race triathlon in middle school but chose to pursue my volleyball dreams instead, forgetting about triathlon until after graduating from college and looking for new ways to meet people while living in DC.

  • What is your favorite discipline of the three?

The bike! I have always loved going fast and racing bikes allows you to really push your limits in a whole different way. That’s why I tend to love more technical, hilly races and routes -- more work going up means a more fun descent to bomb down!

  • What is your favorite race of the year?

I rarely race in the same place multiple times but Ironman Mont Tremblant will always be one of my favorites -- challenging course, beautiful location and spectators unlike any other. Of course the World Championships in Kona also hold a place dear in my heart having raced there twice as an amateur. Now I’m working hard to get back as a professional!

  • What has been the best moment of your career so far?

In 2014 I traveled to Norway to race the “hardest Iron-distance race in the world”, Norseman. After a 13-hour day and scaling five mountain passes and the tallest peak in Norway, I was the second overall female -- the highest finish by an American, male or female, since Tim DeBoom won the race in 2011. It was by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life.

  • What will be your first race in 2016, and what are your big goal races?

I will be heading to California in early April to race Oceanside 70.3 and then racing shortly after in my hometown, New Orleans 70.3. Heading into my second year as a professional, I am looking to gain experience and really make gains in my (so far untapped) secret weapon of a run. You will probably also find me at 2-3 full Ironman races (my strength is at the 140.6 distance) so right now I have my eye on the hilly courses at Challenge, Penticton, and Wisconsin!

  • What is your ultimate career goal?

I am still relatively young in the triathlon professional ranks (both in age and years racing) but in the next 3-5 years I want to have an Ironman Champion title to my name and make a lasting impression on a still-growing sport. I also plan to return to Norway to attempt to win the Norseman title outright!