Champion Australian triathlete Jenny Alcorn dies after battle with rare brain tumour

Beloved Australian triathlete Jenny Alcorn has lost her high-profile battle with cancer.

Alcorn, a legend of the sport who was recognised just last year at the AusTriathlon Awards, had a rare and aggressive brain tumour. She died on Monday.

She was particularly well known in Queensland as a coach, a competitor, and an inspiration ... and the tributes flowed since news of her death was made public.

Alcorn’s shattered partner Margot Rupe led the heartfelt messages.

“She pushed every boundary in life and it was incredible,” Rupe said.

“She was the love of my life for 20 years, she helped me raise two amazing children.

“Yes, triathlon was her life but she always enjoyed all the sports our kids did, she never missed a TSS First 15 game, she never missed a Bond Uni rugby game.

“Even on Saturday afternoon, she sat up and watched our son play rugby in Japan , so she was a pretty amazing person.

“We’re all heartbroken, our souls are heartbroken, she did everything with love, she loved her family, she loved me, she loved our kids and embraced everything she did.”

In 2016, at the age of 55, Alcorn came out of retirement and won the famous Kona Ironman World Championships (in her age group).

Rup called it an “amazing feat” and one that Alcorn cherished deeply.

Last December Alcorn’s “three-decade contribution” to Australia’s triathlon scene was recognised with the President’s Special Recognition Award.

“Her honour highlighted not just her achievements as an athlete and coach, but her inspiring resilience while battling a rare brain tumour,” the Trizone website said.

Surfers Paradise Triathlon Club member Dan Teasdale was a very close friend of Alcorn (who was head coach at the club).

“She was always a fantastic spectator so you’d hear her yelling out ‘go Danny boy’ on the side of the race,” he said.

“But in her own racing she was ever so determined, she wouldn’t let anyone beat her.

“She was a very caring, loving person but a tough-as-nails athlete.

“We spent a lot of time together cycling everywhere on the Gold Coast and races away.

“She never had a bad word to say about anyone she was very inclusive, welcomed everyone and loved the sport triathlon.”

He said Alcorn would not only be remembered as a brilliant mentor, but a people’s person.

“One of the things that we’ve come to realise is we’re not just friends with Jen, we’re all friends because of Jen,” he said.

“There was probably 15 of us that were out for a walk (Tuesday) morning just to get together ... one of the small groups that she has brought together.”

The RunForestRun Instagram account called Alcorn an inspiration.

“To my former training partner, coach, mentor, colleague and friend, Jenny Alcorn. I first saw you on the pages of Triathlon Sports Magazine in the 80’s and then you moved to Qld to train with us,” they said.

“Before long you were a world champion which motivated everyone to lift their game. After successfully transitioning to coaching, you inspired me to “Be Like Jen” and believe in myself to start my own triathlon team.

“Whenever I had a question or doubted myself, I knew I could come to you for advice and a few pearls of wisdom. I will endeavour to approach each day with the lessons you have taught me.

“I will endeavour to “Be Like Jen” when life deals me a bad hand and to dig in and fight when necessary. Thank you for the life lessons Coach! RIP Jenny Alcorn.”

Last year when Alcorn was 64 she told the Gold Coast Bulletin she was in “the fight for my life”.

“I want to win and I will win.

“Extreme circumstances do not bother me at all. I’ve had to work very hard for the things that I want to achieve. That’s just the way I am.”

Alcorn was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM). Few survive it.