IRONMAN®  is proud to announce that Turia Pitt will race at the 2016 IRONMAN®  World Championship, Kailua-Kona Hawaii on October 8.

Considered the toughest one day endurance event on the planet, Pitt will further test the limits of her resolve as she battles the heat of the Big Island over the 3.8km swim, 180km ride and 42.2km run, that make up an IRONMAN triathlon. 

Photo: Delly Carr 

“I’m totally pumped and completely terrified at the thought of going to the IRONMAN World Championships in Kailua-Kona Hawaii,” Pitt said

In 2011 Pitt was competing in an Ultra Marathon in Western Australia when she was caught in a fast moving bushfire. The fire almost claimed her life, leaving her with burns to 65 per cent of her body.

Part of what drove her through the enormous challenge of her rehabilitation was her desire to one day become an IRONMAN.

“When I was in the hospital I was told that I’d never run again.  It was like a light was switched on in my head. I thought ‘I’ll show you, I’m going to do an IRONMAN one day,’ she said.

“It was the best motivation.  My mum and my partner, Michael, would come into my hospital room each morning and say ‘come on, get up, it’s time to get training for your IRONMAN’ and I’d get up and get stuck in.”

Pitt lived her IRONMAN dream on May 1 when she crossed the finish line at IRONMAN Australia in Port Macquarie an hour faster than she had predicted. 

That day she completed the swim in 1:16:07, the bike in 7:13:46 and the run in 4:43:03, for a total time of 13:24:42.       

“I had a great swim, but went way too hard on the first lap of the bike, but then had a really good run,” she said.

She described the race as the hardest thing she’s ever done, but is looking forward to seeing how much further she can push herself in Hawaii.

“I’ve been told Hawaii is just like doing a regular IRONMAN, but on steroids. Not so reassuring!” she said. “Honestly, this is a dream come true for me and I’m really humbled to have the chance to compete alongside so many IRONMAN champions. Bring it on!”