Tempe, Arizona – Kelly Bruno a 23 year old native of Durham, North Carolina and a proud member of Team A Step Ahead, became only the third female amputee in the world to complete the grueling competition of the Ironman Triathlon. Competing in Ironman Arizona, Kelly finished the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run in a time of 13 hours 57minutes and 32 seconds. Kelly placed 1251 out of at total of 2066 entrants and 11th in her age group.
Kelly Bruno was born with a birth defect that forced the amputation of her right leg below the knee at 6 months old. She has always been athletic competing through elementary and middle school where she played soccer, baseball, basketball and lacrosse on county and school teams as well as practicing martial arts. Kelly has competed in numerous national and international track events where she has set world records in the 200 and 800 meter races. She has competed in two Ironman 70.3 distance events, as well as the World Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships. This was her first Ironman. Kelly also received an Honorable Mention award in the female athlete with a disability category by USA Triathlon (USAT).
Kelly’s training was significantly limited over the last 4 weeks due to a bike crash during a training run. She sustained an injury to her left shoulder which significantly limited her swim and bike training. During her recovery form her bike crash she also needed to spend 3 days in New York having her running and cycling prosthetics completely remade Her excitement in completing her first Ironman is added to the news of being accepted in the lottery to compete at the Ironman World championships in Kona, Hawaii on October 13. More information about Kelly can be found at http://www.kellybruno.com/
About Team A Step Ahead: Team A Step Ahead is a team of amputee athletes from around the world who compete in events including the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon, multiple marathons, road races around the world and the Paralympic Games. Team A Step Ahead's members have been very competitive against able-bodied athletes, placing and wining age group awards. These elite athletes hold or have held world records in the 100m, 200m, 400m, track and field events, marathons and triathlons. Athletes receive training from coaches, prosthetists and physical therapists that are experts in working with amputee athletes, including world record holding Paralympians. The company’s motto is “Live Life Without Limitations.” For additional information on Team A Step Ahead visit http://www.astepaheadonline.com.
