PAPILLION, NE (KMTV) --Surrounded by friends and family, Kathy Brown, Bridgit and Ross Pollpeter, all crossed the finish line at the Mayor's Triathlon.
It is an extraordinary feat for anyone, but especially these three athletes.
All three are visually impaired.
"Blindness was not the most difficult part of this triathlon,” said Ross Pollpeter, who competed in the triathlon with his wife, Bridgit.
"It was really amazing, this triathlon was one of the hardest things I've ever done," Brown said.
The course consisted of a 500 meter swim, almost 16 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run.
Guides led them through the course.
The Papillion Triathlon group formed the Tr-Eyes program to give visually impaired athletes the chance to compete.
"The tri program is just based on a dream, a goal that I had about 16 years ago,” said Andrew Rivera, founder of Tr-Eyes, “I saw a visually impaired individual cross an Ironman triathlon."
A dream that became a reality today as these three crossed the finish line -- in less than 2 and a half hours.
"I'm just really proud that we got out there and just really demonstrated that ability,” said Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter.
Now the three say they plan to compete in more triathlons.
