Five years ago, Turia Pitt was told by doctors that it was likely she would never run again. She thought, “I’ll show you, I’m going to do an Ironman one day”.
Today is that day.
UPDATE: TURIA PITT IS AN IRONMAN!
Turia crossed the finish line smiling in 13:24:40, achieving her dream of becoming an Ironman. An incredible display of determination from a very inspirational woman! Read below for highlights of her amazing day.
The focus of this incredibly inspiring woman has zeroed in on the coastal town of Port Macquarie, where Ironman Australia takes place.
Here we go! Thanks to everyone who helped me get to the start line. #IMOZ @IRONMANAsiaPac pic.twitter.com/aPJsay8S2t
— Turia Pitt (@TuriaPitt) April 30, 2016
For most people, the thought of a 3.8km swim in the Hastings River, followed by a 180km cycle along undulating coastal roads and then a full 42.2km marathon, is enough to make them tired. Not Turia, though.
Today’s Ironman presents an opportunity for Turia to tackle the race that captured her imagination in 2011, while recovering from burns to 65 per cent of her body after being caught in a bushfire during an ultramarathon in the Kimberley.
Some refer to Ironman as “the longest day” and one of sport’s most difficult challenges. For Turia, having been through everything she has experienced already, today is yet another day to embrace and show people what is possible when you set your mind to it.
SWIM UPDATE
Turia completed the 3.8km swim leg in 1:16:07.
#IMOZ @TuriaPitt exited the water to cheers and is giving it her all on the bike leg. pic.twitter.com/5h8jtqRhhK
— Port Macquarie News (@portmacnews) April 30, 2016
BIKE UPDATE: 2:07pm
Despite downpours of rain across the Ironman course at Port Macquarie, Turia is determindly working her way through the second half of the 180km cycle leg, having having completed the first 90km in just over 3hr14min.
The awesome @TuriaPitt on the second lap of the bike course #IMOZ pic.twitter.com/eRnkBoZEwb
— witsup.com (@witsupcom) May 1, 2016
BIKE UPDATE: 3:15pm
After 6 hours and 40 minutes of racing, Turia has passed through the 135km mark of the cycle leg. She has a ride back towards Port Macquarie ahead of her before slipping on the running shoes and tackling the marathon course.
RUN UPDATE: 4:02pm
Turia completed the 180km cycle leg in a time 7:14:46, seeing her reach the beginning of the marathon after 8 and a half hours of racing. This is a massive effort and the crowd is behind her the whole way as she works through the early stages of the 42.2km run course.
RUN UPDATE: 6:50pm
More than eleven hours into her Ironman challenge, Turia is showing the determination she's known for, having made it past the 25km mark of the marathon run leg.
RUN UPDATE: 7:08pm
Word is that Turia has actually passed through the 30km mark, and has the final 12km ahead of her to reach the finish line, where a large crowd is waiting despite the wet weather that's rained down on Port Macquarie all day long.
Rubbish weather and the crowd is still cranking, truly is the peoples race!! #IMOZ pic.twitter.com/BebBgOBNNv
— Matthew Knox (@MattyKnox) May 1, 2016
RUN UPDATE: 7:53pm
Only around 5km to go until Turia achieves her goal of finishing an Ironman! We say "only", as if it is not far, but after around 13 hours of racing, it could be the toughest 5km of the day. Go Turia!
TURIA PITT IS AN IRONMAN: 8:16pm
Turia has crossed the finish line smiling in 13:24:40, achieving her dream of becoming an Ironman. An incredible display of determination from a very inspirational woman!
#IMOZ via @ironmanasiapac
— IronmanNEWS (@IronManNEWS) May 1, 2016
What a legend, what an inspiration what a role model! @turiapitt you are an #IRONMAN! pic.twitter.com/9ZFY2LUuWR