Shanda Hill is days away from immortality.
The ultra-athlete from Vernon has just 187 kilometres left in her in La Garda, Italy.
Completing it would make her the first woman ever to do so. So far, through 38 days, she has completed a 114 km swim, 5,400 km bike ride and 1,079 of the required 1,266 km run.
The race is the equivalent of 30 Iron-distance triathlons. To put the numbers into perspective, a 114 km swim is akin to almost swimming the entire length of Okanagan Lake (135 km).
The 5,400 distance is comparable to going from Vernon all the way to Antigonish, NS, while 1,266 km is the roughly the distance from Vernon to Saskatoon, Sask.
To no one's surprise, Hill says it's been one of her toughest races ever.
"If I have to crawl, I will cross that finish line," she told Jacs Spence, her partner.
According to Spence, the rain has been "relentless" the past 24 hours, which has caused difficulty for Hill.
"While running through the night, Shanda slipped in the mud and pulled her groin," Spence said. "The pain from that, on top of her blistered feet and a pre-existing hip injury, was almost unbearable. She had to stop to catch her breath from the intensity of it all."
Hill thought her injury was severe, and a massage therapist confirmed those suspicions. Nevertheless, Hill continues to fight to get to the finish line.
"Let香蕉视频直播檚 all come together and send her all the positive energy we can muster. Your support means the world to her. You香蕉视频直播檝e already made Canada so proud, Shanda, keep going!"
