For this paratriathlete, pursuing the extraordinary is a fact of life.
Paratriathlete Sarah Reinertsen was born with a congenital femoral deficiency—essentially, her thigh bone stopped growing. At just seven years old, she opted for an above-knee amputation. “Growing up with a disability, I was the kid that was left behind in gym class and on the playground,” she says. “Being this feisty New Yorker, I wasn’t going to let all the two-legged kids at school have all the fun.” Her doctors promised her a “better, cooler” leg in two surgeries.
Since then, Reinertsen has done nothing but push limits. In 2005, she became the first above-knee amputee to complete the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. She has also held world records in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, 5K, and marathon distances.
In 2018, she pursued even bigger feats, completing the World Marathon Challenge by running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. In the fall, she finished the Ironman World Championships in 14:41:05, 24 minutes faster than she did in 2005.
Her accomplishments are even more impressive considering she didn’t learn how to run until age 11. “I often say that’s why I love it so much, because I’m making up for those 11 years that I didn’t get to do it,” says Reinertsen, now 43. Furthermore sat down with her to talk race-day strategies, musical mantras, and what her circumstances have taught her about life.