Burns victim Pitt finishes Ironman race

Turia Pitt has completed a gruelling Ironman triathlon five years after an horrific bushfire during an ultra-marathon in Western Australia nearly claimed her life.

Adding another chapter to her inspiring story of survival and recovery, the 28-year-old Pitt took on and conquered Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie on the mid-north NSW coast on Sunday.

Pitt finished the race - which includes a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run - in a time of 13 hours, 24 minutes and 41 seconds, raising her arms in relief as she crossed the finishing line.

Pitt was left with burns to more than 65 per cent of her body, no fingers or thumb on her right hand and a long road to recovery when she was caught in the fast-moving fire in WA's Kimberley region in 2011.

She was told she would never walk again.

After more than 200 operations, she committed to taking on the Ironman race in what she described as her "ultimate challenge to prove that I'm stronger, fitter, and faster than I was before the fire".

Former Australian rugby league and rugby union international Mat Rogers, who now competes in Ironman triathlons, was in Port Macquarie to witness Pitt's achievement and was in awe of her courage.

"Probably one of the most inspiring things I've seen ... Tears in my eyes watching this," tweeted Rogers.