There's brave, there's Ironman-triathlon tough and then there's Sharn McNeill.
The New South Wales entrant is one of the most inspiring stories of this year's Hawaiian Ironman world championships.
McNeill was only 30 when she was diagnosed last year with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease, which has no cure and is fatal.
But with the help of pilot Craig Gruber, McNeill pressed ahead with her dream of finishing an Ironman-distance race.
Last June, Gruber towed her in a kayak through the 3.8km swim at Ironman Cairns.
He attached her recumbent bike to his for the 180km cycle and pushed McNeil in a wheelchair for the 42.2km marathon run.
They overcame several punctures and persistent rain to finish 45 minutes inside the 17-hour cutoff.
McNeill added an exclamation point by walking the last 100m of the race.
Then came the dream bonus - the offer of an entry at Hawaii, triathlon's most famous event.
"I hope to prove that despite being faced with a terminal illness, with a combination of positivity, will, determination, and the right attitude toward any situation life throws at you, you can achieve anything," McNeill said.
"I am so excited for this moment."
It is nine years since Jon Blais, also afflicted by motor neurone disease, famously rolled across the finish line at Hawaii.
"Even if I have to be rolled across the finish line, I'm finishing," he had said pre-race."
Known as Blazeman, he died two years later.
Four-time Hawaiian Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington is one of several top triathletes who have since rolled across the finish line at races in honour of Blais.
More than 2000 triathletes will start Hawaii this Saturday and the race is always full of amazing competitors.
At 84, triathlon legend and Iron-nun Sister Madonna Buder is aiming to become the oldest finisher in race history.
The Australian contingent of 279 entrants is the largest in the race outside the United States.
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