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SARAH SHANKS : GISBORNE, NEW ZEALAND
Mum of two busy boys, Sarah juggles family life alongside her work as a Workplace Drug Tester, while also supporting clubs and charities with funding on the side. Life is full — but that’s exactly how she likes it.
The Athlete Story
Sarah’s sporting journey started early, with a lifelong involvement in equestrian, taking her all the way to competing across New Zealand and internationally in the USA. One of her standout experiences was being part of the New Zealand Equestrian team at the Athens 2004 Olympics.
After returning home, she shifted gears into endurance sport, diving headfirst into swimming, biking, running, and all forms of adventure.
Her journey with TEAMCPNZ began nearly 12 years ago, after becoming a mum and looking for a way back into “athleting.” What started as a step back in has turned into a long-standing connection with the team.
What She’s Training For
Right now, Sarah is building toward Xterra Rotorua, alongside a solid winter of training missions to set the tone for a big summer of racing ahead.
The Fun Stuff
Favourite session: A tough bike/run combo session
Least favourite: Cold sessions (always tempting to find an alternative… 😅)
Coffee: Before and after – no compromises
Go-to refuel: Scrambled eggs
The Big Moments
Sarah’s resilience stands out in her proudest achievements, completing IRONMAN 70.3 Taupō (2026) just six months after rotator cuff surgery is no small feat.
She’s also represented on the world stage at the World Triathlon Champs in Spain (2025) – a huge milestone in her endurance journey.
Her next big goal?
👉 Taking on a full IRONMAN in the coming years.
The TEAMCPNZ Connection
For Sarah, TEAMCPNZ is all about the people.
From experienced coaches to a community of like-minded athletes, it’s the support, knowledge, and connections that make the difference, and keep things fun along the way.
Rapid Fire 🔥
Sunrise or sunset? Both
Gravel or road? Both
Hills or flats? Hills
Zwift or outside? Outside (with a love/hate relationship with Zwift 😅)
Long ride or intervals? Both
Final Word
“Throw everything you can at it, you won’t regret it. Get a coach and trust the process. Be open to the hard sessions and the hard conversations. Every moment is a chance to learn, grow, and adventure.”
TEAMCPNZ
Everyday people achieving epic things.
