Craig Alexander is recognised on the world stage as one of the greatest triathletes of all time. His passion for sport is only matched by his passion for family and helping others achieve their best.
Growing up, Craig was never far from the sporting arena playing soccer, cricket, water polo, golf and tennis. Inspired by the iconic Hawaiian Ironman event in Kona, Hawaii, he entered his first triathlon aged 20 and turned professional the following year.
In 2002 after racing domestically and in Europe, he headed to North America to pursue the prestigious US circuit. He achieved record-breaking success there winning many of the US major short course titles including The Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minnesota, The Chicago Tri (largest short course race in the World), The Los Angeles Tri, The US Pro Champs in Boston and the iconic St. Croix Half-Ironman.
Craig’s list of career achievements includes being a five-time Triathlon World Champion (3 x Ironman World Champion, Hawaii and 2 x Half-Ironman World Champion) and a multiple Australian Champion. Craig was also the first triathlete to win the Ironman and Half-Ironman World Championship Titles in the same year (2011).
He was named 2009 Australian Sportsperson of the Year and in 2015 was Awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) for Services to Sport and the Community.
Since stepping aside from professional racing, Craig has launched a health and training business supporting other athletes of all levels toachieve their goals.
Running around after his three kids Lucy, Austin and Lani, keeps him busy too!
Craig has also generously given his time to support Starlight over many years. He initially came on board to support our Super Swim fundraising event three years ago and went on to become an ambassador for Starlight’s Tour de Kids cycling challenge.
“Getting involved with Super Swim and Tour de Kids was a natural fit for me as a professional triathlete. Both are amazing events that not only raise money and awareness for Starlight but encourage people to get actively involved,” Craig said.
We are delighted to now welcome Craig as an official Starlight Ambassador. Craig knows the power of positivity and the resilience needed to take on immense challenges and we are thrilled to have him on Team Starlight!
“I’m so excited to extend my involvement with Starlight as an Ambassador. The happiness they bring to seriously ill children and their families is invaluable,” Craig said.
While Craig had always been motivated by the positivity Starlight brings to kids in hospital, he never expected to experience it first-hand with his own child.
Craig’s son Austin was at his school athletics carnival when he tragically a suffered a spinal stroke.
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” Craig said. “In a matter of hours our lives were turned upside down. One minute Austin was at his sports carnival, then next we were in hospital.”
Austin was initially paralysed from his chest down and spent two months at the children’s hospital.
“Right from day one, we experienced the incredible work Starlight does to help kids in hospital. When Austin couldn’t move from his bed, the Captain Starlights brought Lego, video games, books and musical instruments to keep him entertained, happy and engaged”, Craig said.
Once Austin was mobile in his wheelchair, he was a regular visitor to the Starlight Express Room and loved the trivia quizzes, video games, arts, crafts and cooking. Craig said the Starlight Express Room was also a place he and wife Neri could relax and temporarily forget the reality of life in hospital.
“Starlight’s mission is to bring happiness to sick kids and that happiness is so important for healing. I can’t overstate how important the Starlight Express Room was for our family during those months we spent in the children’s hospital,” Craig said.
Pleasingly, Austin has made an amazing recovery from his stroke and continues to work hard on his rehab.
We are so thankful to have Craig as a passionate Starlight Ambassador, helping to raise awareness of the power of joy and happiness to help sick kids get through the toughest times.
ABOUT: Craig Alexander is a five-time Triathlon World Champion (2008, 2009 and 2011 Ironman Triathlon World Champion; 2006 and 2011 Half-Ironman Triathlon World Champion) and a 12-time Australian Champion. He was named 2009 Australian Sportsperson of the Year and in 2015 was Awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) for Services to Sport and the Community. He is the co-founder of Sansego - a training, health and lifestyle brand working alongside a team of world class endurance coaches and experts to help clients of all levels of ability achieve their goals. Craig is married to Neri and has three children.