US Army Col. Patricia Collins recently broke the world record for a female unilateral amputee in an Ironman 70.3 distance triathlon by completing the 2013 Intermedix Ironman 70.3 in Augusta, Ga., in a time of 5:32.41.
The course comprises a 1.2-mile swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. Her time bested the previous record set by Amy Palmiero Winters in 2007.
Collins, a Rutgers University graduate who served in the military in both Iraq and Afghanistan, severely injured her left leg in 2006 after being hit by a car while riding a bicycle. She received a prosthesis 6 weeks after her leg was amputated, and was riding a bike 2 months later. Since then, she has been awarded the 2011 National ParaCycling Champion in the time trial and road race; the 2012 National and World ParaTriathlon Champion, sprint distance; and the 2013 World ParaTriathlon, 2nd place, sprint distance.
Collins is the only female amputee serving on active duty in the military. A 22-year veteran, she currently is assigned to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, working in the area of communications, according to a news release.
