Unfinished Business: The Road to Kona – Marjolaine Pierré’s Journey

October 06, 2025

Some athletes are defined by their victories. Others are defined by what they’ve had to overcome to reach them.

For Marjolaine Pierré, every step, every setback, and every scar has shaped the athlete she is today a two-time World Triathlon Long Distance Champion and 4th-place finisher at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championships.

From France to the World Stage

Born in northern France and raised on Réunion Island, Marjolaine grew up surrounded by beauty, heat, and grit the perfect foundation for endurance sport.

“Réunion Island is a bit like Hawaii. That’s why having the World Championships there feels a little like home.”

Her 4th-place finish at the IRONMAN Worlds in Nice marked a turning point. It wasn’t just a career highlight; it transformed how she trained, raced, and believed in herself.

“That result changed everything. I gained sponsors, better support, and new confidence — but my dream remains the same: to win Kona one day.”

From Gymnastics to Triathlon

Marjolaine’s athletic path wasn’t typical. Before triathlon, she was a competitive gymnast flexible, disciplined, and mentally sharp. But during her university studies, she found herself searching for a new challenge.

“I wanted a sport that could fill my weekends and push me. That’s how triathlon came in. My boyfriend, Clément, dreamed of becoming a pro triathlete, and I followed him together we decided to chase the same dream.”

The Breaking Point

The start of her triathlon journey was anything but smooth. Within just 18 months, Marjolaine suffered seven stress fractures a staggering series of setbacks that forced her to confront the harsh reality of underfueling and overtraining.

“I didn’t eat enough for the training I was doing. I lost my period and my strength. I had to accept that gaining weight and getting stronger was the only way forward.”

Those years of injury reshaped her perspective. What once felt like failure became the foundation of her resilience.

“If one day I become world champion, it will be thanks to all those injuries — they made me who I am.”

Finding a Smarter Way to Train

After repeated injuries, Marjolaine knew she couldn’t keep repeating the same cycle. That’s when she discovered the LEVER system a tool that allowed her to run while reducing impact and staying pain-free.

“With LEVER, I could still run even when injured. It made recovery easier mentally because I still felt like a real triathlete. I could swim, bike, and run — just with less risk.”

LEVER didn’t just change how she trained physically. It helped her rebuild confidence and structure after years of setbacks.

“I kept my same training routine just swapped outdoor runs for treadmill sessions with LEVER. It made the comeback faster and more natural.”

Learning From the Lows

Despite her success, Marjolaine still remembers her lowest moment clearly walking during a race for the first time in her career.

“Running used to be where I flew. That day, I walked. I’ll never forget it. But that experience gave me more mental strength than any win ever could.”

The Highs: Rising Again

Her comeback led to her greatest achievements — world titles, podiums, and the defining moment of her career: finishing 4th at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championships in Nice.

“That day, I learned I needed to trust myself more. I finished the bike in third and settled for being happy with top five but next time, I’ll fight for every place.”

Preparing for Kona

Now, with Kona on the horizon, Marjolaine is ready to take the next step. Training in Lanzarote, she’s focused on heat adaptation, mental strength, and precision.

“We trained in the heat, on treadmills, and under intense sessions with my coach and Clément. It was hard but I couldn’t ask for a better preparation.”

Even with her growing success, she remains humble aware that Kona brings its own kind of fear.