• Ali Truwit defies the loss of her leg and participates in the New York Marathon
• Previously a two-time Paralympic medallist, she sees the race as a message of hope

Ali Truwit crossed her first marathon finish line at the age of 22, thrilled after completing 42 kilometers alongside her mother on Mother’s Day 2023 in Copenhagen, unaware that within days her body, her sport, and her life would change forever

The American swimmer was attacked by a shark while snorkeling with her friend and teammate Sophie Pilkinton, which severely injured her left leg and eventually led to its amputation

Less than a year after the incident, Truwit won silver and bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, an achievement she considers a tribute to everyone who helped her survive

She is now preparing to run the 2025 New York Marathon using a carbon-fiber prosthetic leg, accompanied by her parents and friends Sophie and Hannah, viewing the race as more than just a sporting challenge—it is a message of hope for anyone facing physical or mental hardships

In an interview, Truwit said she quickly learned to balance and run with the prosthetic, returning to intensive swimming and running training, treating each day as a challenge and an opportunity to prove her strength

She added that running with the prosthetic was not easy, as she had to manage differences in road height, maintain balance while moving, and occasionally stop to readjust or dry the prosthetic during the race

Truwit expressed joy that her family and friends will run alongside her, saying their presence gives her extra energy and makes the challenge feel lighter

“Every step I take in this race carries a message to anyone who has lost something: life does not end with loss, we can turn pain into purpose and strength,” Truwit said