Only three years removed from a life-threatening car accident, Brian Boyle overcame near death to fulfill his dream of competing in a triathlon.

Brian Boyle, an undergraduate student at St. Mary’s College in Maryland, will compete at the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The event, scheduled for October 13, 2007, is a grueling test of endurance and athleticism. Boyle received a special media invitation from Ironman after he qualified at the Steelhead (Mich.) 70.3 Triathlon on August 4, 2007. He overcame near death from a devastating car accident three years ago to reach this point. Brian’s journey to get to Kona is truly amazing. His story is one of hope and inspiration – a tale of perseverance and the eternal human spirit.

"When I first heard Brian's story, it was almost hard to believe," said Ironman’s Vice President of Television Production, Peter Henning. "Once I began looking at photos from the accident, I wondered if it would be possible for Brian to walk let alone compete in an Ironman. However, after seeing him compete at the 70.3 Steelhead race Brian truly demonstrated that anything is possible. We look forward to seeing him cross the finish line at this year’s Ford Ironman World Championship in Hawaii."

The Ford Ironman World Championship, the pinnacle of the sport, encompasses three segments: a 2.4 mile ocean swim in Kailua Bay, followed by a 112 mile bicycle ride across the Hawaiian lava desert to Hawi and back, and ending with a 26.2 mile marathon along the coast of the Big Island.

On July 6, 2004, one month after graduating from Maurice J. McDonough High School in Maryland, Brian was involved in a devastating car accident – one that would alter his life forever. His 1994 Chevy Camaro was hit by a dump truck on the driver's side door. The impact of the crash demolished the Camaro and it took the jaws of life to pry Brian away from the surreal wreckage. Transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland, Brian was in grave condition. His heart was knocked across his chest and he lost 60 percent of his blood. He suffered a broken clavicle, ribs and pelvis, and severe nerve damage to his left shoulder. Doctors were also worried about the possibility of brain damage.

His broken body nearly gave out, and Brian actually died eight times before doctors resuscitated him. Due to the extreme trauma he suffered, doctors chose to put Brian in a chemically induced coma. On life support for two months, he lost 100 pounds, while his parents stood over his bed and wept at his uncertain, perilous situation.

When he regained consciousness, doctors delivered the sobering news that Brian might never walk again. Over the next few months, Brian had to endure paralysis, pneumonia, infections, seizures, CAT scans, MRIs and excruciating pain. With his will nearly broken, his parents feared the worst. But on one memorable night, Brian struggled to move the muscles in his lips and cheek and gave his parents a warm smile. It was then they knew Brian was going to fight – that he was here to stay.

Nearly three years after the accident, Brian’s life has come full circle. Enrolled at St. Mary’s College, Brian is attending school and making good grades. After an inspirational pep talk from Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., as well as Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, Brian decided to fulfill a lifelong goal of his – to compete in a triathlon.

"This is like a dream come true for me," Brian said. "To be competing in the biggest triathlon event in the world is an awesome experience and I am so grateful for the people who made this possible."