The Mollymook Ironwoman finished the Port Macquarie based event swim in one hour and 16 minutes, the 180km bike ride in a time of 7 hours and 13 minutes, finally finishing the 42.2 km run in just over five hours making her competition time a total of 13 hours and 24 minutes. 

“It was a tough slog on Sunday, especially in the wet weather, but I don't know what's going to beat the elation I felt running down that finish chute and hearing the words ‘you are an Ironman,’ she said. 

”I set out just to finish the race with good form but I ended up crossing the finish line a full 40 minutes earlier than expected with an overall time of 13 hours and 24 minutes. Pretty stoked.”

Turia thanked her coaches Bruce and Christina Thomas and the community for their support. 

“I want to give a shout out to my amazing coaches Bruce and Christina Thomas. Bruce and Christina changed the game for me and I'm really grateful to have their support,” she said. 

“I also wanna say a huge thank you to all of YOU for your support on Sunday. I was blown away by everyone who reached out to wish me luck, turned up to cheer me on in the race and by everyone who donated to Interplast, the not-for-profit I was representing on the day.”

While for the next few days she’s “not planning on leaving the lounge, except to get another plate of onion rings and chips,” Turia said she’s already looking ahead to her next challenge. 

“At some point I've gotta drag myself back to a standing position and eat a salad because I'm heading off to Papua New Guinea in three weeks to take on the Kokoda Track,” she said.

“I'll be walking the track with a group of absolute legends to raise money for Interplast.”