Marathon is home to a world-class Ironwoman.
On Oct. 14, Leandra Hutchinson put a bow – of sorts – on nearly a year of extensive rehab and training with her completion of the Ironman World Championship course in Kona, Hawaii.
Putting her body to the test for 14 hours, 14 minutes and 40 seconds, Hutchinson battled her way through a grueling gauntlet: a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run, all back to back.
“Competing (was) an epic experience,” she told the Weekly. “Festivities throughout the week leading up to the race really make it special – like nothing else in the sport of triathlon.”
Hutchinson’s achievement flies in the face of surgeons’ warnings that she may never fully heal or swim again following a December 2022 bike crash that left her with a separated shoulder, torn muscles and lacerations. Informed in July 2023 that she’d qualified for the world championship race, however, she found her way through a comeback training program in less than three months.
“(The) seven months of recovering from my bike crash and broken shoulder and then 11 weeks of intense triathlon training were preparing me for the grit and determination I would need to make it through the World Championship course,” she said. “It was not my best Ironman time, but it was the most incredible way to overcome my injuries and come back to the sport. I’m grateful for all the messages and support from the Keys community, my friends and family.”
