October 15 2007 Contact Phil Kreuter 516-681-3484 News Release Amputee Athlete Sets New Record at Ironman World Championships Hicksville, NY October 15, 2007.. On Saturday October 13, Kelly Bruno a 23 year old native of Durham,
North Carolina and a proud member of Team A Step Ahead, completed her 2nd full Ironman competition this year at the Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. On a hot and windy day when a number of top pro triathletes abandoned the race Kelly preserved through the tough conditions of the famed Kona Ironman course finishing in a time of 14 hours, 2 minutes and 34 seconds, over an hour faster than the previous record for a female amputee at the race. "The energy was contagious on race morning. I knew it was going to be a good day," Kelly told friends and family after the race. She juggled 2 jobs and Ironman training to get there and is extremely proud of her accomplishment. Next on her competition schedule for this year is competing with 11 other members of Team A Step Ahead at the challenged Athletes Foundation San Diego Challenge ½ Ironman on October 28.  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.. Kelly also received an Honorable Mention award in the female athlete with a disability category by USA Triathlon (USAT). 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 www.astepaheadonline.com. Live Life Without Limitations... | 
