Kirsty Parsons will line up at Ironman New Zealand in Taupō on Saturday March 7, 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 now 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,” she says. “That support is still incredibly important, and that’s why I wanted to use this moment to give back.”
CFNZ executive lead, Simone Brown wished Kirsty all the best.
“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.
“This is such an exciting moment for our community. We wish Kirsty all the very best as she continues her training in the lead‑up to the Taupō Ironman, and we will be cheering her on all the way to the finish line.”
Kirsty’s brother, Duncan Parsons, will be 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.
Cystic Fibrosis NZ (CFNZ)
Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand (CFNZ) was founded in 1968. It is a well-respected charity delivering a range of vital services. The organisation supports many of the more than 600 people and their families affected by cystic fibrosis in New Zealand.
CFNZ works with people of all ages from pre-school age to adults to change the trajectory of their lives – to extend and improve the lives of those living with CF.
CFNZ relies on the generosity of donors and support from the philanthropic and business community. Its vision is that people with CF are thriving and living healthy lives and is committed to ensuring that individualised and meaningful support is available at every part of their CF journey.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare inherited genetic disorder that impairs the normal clearance of mucus from the lungs, which results in bacterial infection. CF also affects the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and frequent lung infections. Different people may have different degrees of symptoms.
There is no known cure. Lung infections are treated with antibiotics. Airway clearance techniques such as chest physiotherapy may have some short-term benefit, but long-term effects are unclear.
The name "cystic fibrosis" refers to the characteristic fibrosis and cysts that form within the pancreas.
