Shark Attack Survivor Ali Truwit Prepares for NYC Marathon

NEW YORK (WABC) — Ali Truwit, a 25-year-old from Connecticut, is set to run the TCS New York City Marathon this Sunday, marking a remarkable recovery two years after surviving a shark attack.

After graduating from Yale University in May 2023, Truwit traveled to Turks and Caicos, where a shark attacked her while she was snorkeling, resulting in the amputation of her left leg below the knee. “I flew to Turks and Caicos with a five-year plan for my life. I left on a medical evacuation plane, not sure I was going to survive,” Truwit recalled.

She and her friend Sophie Pilkinton managed to swim back to their boat, where Pilkinton applied a life-saving tourniquet. Truwit then underwent multiple surgeries in the U.S. after being airlifted back home.

“I was 23 years old and had just become an amputee for the rest of my life,” she said. Despite the horrific experience, Truwit has focused on staying grateful for her life. “I worked really hard to center myself on gratitude and recognize how lucky I was to be alive,” she stated.

Initially, the thought of returning to water sports was daunting, but Truwit found strength in her competitive spirit. In 2024, she won two silver medals while swimming with the U.S. team at the Paralympics.

Now, as she prepares for the marathon, Truwit is excited yet challenged by her new prosthetic blade. “Hills without an ankle are a new thing to learn to navigate, and I’m doing a lot of strength training to make sure my right leg is strong,” she explained.

Truwit also started a nonprofit called “Stronger Than You Think,” focusing on water safety, support for Paralympics, and providing prosthetics for those in need. She believes her journey can inspire others who face adversity.

“Even if you feel like your life is over, there is a full and beautiful life ahead,” Truwit said, hoping to raise $100,000 through her marathon run to support her nonprofit and further her mission.

“If someone leaves thinking differently about what people with disabilities can achieve, that will be my success,” Truwit added.