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A burn victim who was told she'd never run again has completed the world's toughest triathlon

Turia Pitt says the ironman race didn’t go to plan but she persevered.

https://www.facebook.com/tennews/videos/1201194159950889/

AN AUSTRALIAN WOMAN who was severely disfigured in a bushfire and told she would never run again completed the world’s toughest ironman race over the weekend.

Turia Pitt swam for 3.8km, cycled for 180km and ran for 42km to finish the Hawaii Ironman in a time of 14:37:30.

The gruelling race is seen the toughest of its kind because of the heat and humidity the athletes have to deal with.

Pitt was left with horrific burns to 65% of her body after the bushfire roared through a 100km ultra-marathon event in Western Australia in 2011.

Since then, Pitt spent nearly two-and-half years in hospital and underwent numerous surgeries for her injuries. During that time she was told her running days were over.

“If I finish the race with a smile on my face I’ll say that’s a massive success for me,” she told Sydney’s Ten News before the race.

Finish the race she did, using special clothing to protect her from the harsh elements.

“One of the consequences of being burnt is that my body can’t regulate its temperature as well, so when I get hot I get really hot,” she explained.

Posting to her Facebook page after she completed the challenge, Pitt said that it had been far from easy:

Feeling really bloody proud. Not the perfect race, not everything went as planned. But I dug deep and gave it everything I had, and you can’t ask for more than that.

Read: Here are the amazing young Irish people who will inspire you today >

Read: He was attacked and left for dead, but Robert chose to ‘get better, not bitter’ >

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6 Comments
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    Mute king Tut
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    Oct 10th 2016, 10:53 AM

    Now that’s brave. Fair play to her.

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    Mute LITTLEONE
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    Oct 10th 2016, 10:41 AM

    Excellent well done

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    Mute Seamus Brady
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    Oct 10th 2016, 11:47 AM

    Inspirational

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    Mute zebadie
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    Oct 10th 2016, 12:37 PM

    I can’t even begin to imagine what her life has been like since this tragic misfortune. To experience the trauma she has gone through and “literally” rise from the ashes to not only enter, but accomplish her personal goal is truly amazing. One of the most amazing stories I have ever read.

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    Mute Trisha Tully
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    Oct 10th 2016, 1:39 PM

    Fantastic achievement after what she’s been through. One hell of a woman.

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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    Oct 10th 2016, 3:25 PM

    That’s some seriously uplifting news, well done that lady

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