Kennett Peterson

American-born Kennett Peterson competed in his first ever triathlon in 2015, taking victory in his first start in the amateur IRONMAN 70.3 St George North American Championships. He hasn’t looked back since.

Peterson turned professional the same year, finishing ninth at IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder before winning both the Summer Open Sprint and Colardo Sprint triathlons in 2016. Some consistent results over the next three years at the 70.3 distance showcased his pedigree before he picked up his first IRONMAN 70.3 victory at the Wildlife Loop Triathlon 70.3 in 2019.

The nomadic bike racer moved to Boulder in 2011 with very little in tow, his sole focus to train and develop his bike-racing skills to make a pro team. This had been Kennett’s primary goal since taking up cycling in 2006.

Unfortunately, in 2014 his partner Adelaide, also a triathlete, was struck by a car as she trained and was left in a coma for five days, suffering 700 stitches and multiple broken bones. Not surprisngly the event heavily affected Kennett and the stress of the event sent his undiagnosed autoimmune disorder - later diagnosed as Hashimoto’s thyroid disorder - into overdrive.

After a turbulent 2015, Kennett decided to quit cycling and take up triathlon, fully making the transition in 2016.

In 2019 more misfortune befell the Peterson family as Kennett broke his neck diving into some water. Luckily he didn’t suffer any spinal damage and was able to resume training within a few months.

Kennett lives in Boulder with his now wife Adelaide and dog Maybellene and describes his biggest rival as his “own bowels”. He does though also have a real fear of climate-change deniers.

Peterson has an ambition to be a sci-fi author some day and have a high school or street named after him. Throw in a 15-foot marble statue of himself depicted as a “anatomically correct” centaur in front of the Oregon state capitol building and his life goals are complete.