Cancer survivor and heart transplant recipient Kyle Garlett, pictured earlier this month, disqualified for the Ironman World Championship. (Chris Stewart/Associated Press)Kyle Garlett has fallen short in his attempt to become the first heart transplant triathlete to complete the Ironman World Championship.
The 38-year-old Garlett recorded a swim time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, 55 seconds Saturday. But the cutoff time for the 3.9-kilometre ocean swim was 2:20. Garlett is from Marina Del Rey, Calif.
Although he was dropped from the event in Kona, Hawaii, the four-time cancer survivor says participating in the 226-kilometre endurance test was a thrill, especially as it was three years to the day since he received his new heart.
Nearly 1,800 triathletes were entered in the Ironman, which includes a 180-kilometre bike race.
© The Canadian Press, 2009
