Ali Truwit, a two-time Paralympic medalist, is set to run the 2025 New York City Marathon two years after a shark attack led to a below-knee amputation. This remarkable comeback story began when she crossed the marathon finish line in Copenhagen in 2023, unaware that her life was about to change drastically. While snorkeling with her friend and teammate Sophie Pilkinton, a shark attacked, and Truwit lost her left leg. Despite the trauma, she found a way to lighten the shock by saying, "At least I got my marathon in before this." She went on to recover and compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she won silver and bronze medals. Now, she is preparing to run the New York City Marathon on a carbon-fiber blade, representing her foundation, Stronger Than You Think. This foundation is dedicated to water safety, the Paralympic movement, and access to prosthetics for women and girls. Truwit's journey is a testament to her resilience and determination, as she navigates the learning curve of running on a prosthetic blade while continuing to advocate for those facing similar challenges. Her decision to run the marathon is a way to reclaim another part of herself that she thought she had lost forever. She embraces a mix of radical acceptance and gratitude, using her story to inspire and uplift others.
