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Turia Pitt: Australian burns survivor completes Hawaii triathlon | Turia Pitt: Australian burns survivor completes Hawaii triathlon |
(about 9 hours later) | |
An Australian runner who suffered life-threatening burns when she was trapped by a bushfire during a race has completed the Hawaii Ironman, seen as the world's toughest triathlon. | |
Turia Pitt received burns to 65% of her body and was told she would never compete again after the 2011 ultra-marathon in Western Australia. | Turia Pitt received burns to 65% of her body and was told she would never compete again after the 2011 ultra-marathon in Western Australia. |
After 200 operations, she completed the 226km (140 mile) Hawaii event on Sunday | After 200 operations, she completed the 226km (140 mile) Hawaii event on Sunday |
She has been hailed on social media as an "amazing role model". | She has been hailed on social media as an "amazing role model". |
Ms Pitt completed a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run in a time of 14:37:30. | Ms Pitt completed a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run in a time of 14:37:30. |
The mining engineer, author and motivational speaker completed the event using custom-made gear and brake levers on her bike to accommodate the severe injuries to her hands. | The mining engineer, author and motivational speaker completed the event using custom-made gear and brake levers on her bike to accommodate the severe injuries to her hands. |
She also wore special race clothing to deal with the extreme heat and humidity. | She also wore special race clothing to deal with the extreme heat and humidity. |
"Because of my burns, I can't regulate my own body temperature so I've had to make some adjustments, or use standard tri gear in different ways," she revealed last month. | "Because of my burns, I can't regulate my own body temperature so I've had to make some adjustments, or use standard tri gear in different ways," she revealed last month. |
"I'm going to need things like cooling sleeves and white suits so I don't overheat." | "I'm going to need things like cooling sleeves and white suits so I don't overheat." |
'Sheer strength and determination' | 'Sheer strength and determination' |
After her encounter with the bushfire Ms Pitt spent 864 days in hospital and underwent many operations to treat her injuries. | After her encounter with the bushfire Ms Pitt spent 864 days in hospital and underwent many operations to treat her injuries. |
She made her comeback in the Ironman Australia triathlon in May. | She made her comeback in the Ironman Australia triathlon in May. |
"Competing in Ironman has ultimately showed me that I literally can do anything I put my mind to," she said on her blog. | "Competing in Ironman has ultimately showed me that I literally can do anything I put my mind to," she said on her blog. |
Ms Pitt was widely praised on social media as an inspiration. | Ms Pitt was widely praised on social media as an inspiration. |
"Such a great example of what can be done through hard work belief in one's self and good a support system," one person wrote on her Facebook page. | "Such a great example of what can be done through hard work belief in one's self and good a support system," one person wrote on her Facebook page. |
"You continue to amaze and inspire," said another. | "You continue to amaze and inspire," said another. |
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