As a sophomore in college, Kelly enlisted as an Army medic, and served ten years with the 82^nd Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Unit
She served three back-to-back deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. After that she was assigned to a special mission’s unit and, and at the same time, she earned her degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina
After graduation, she moved to Texas and became an avid runner
Elmlinger’s first triathlon was three weeks before getting her first true running leg, after having the desire to get back into running and qualify for the USA Paratriathlon National Championships
Her favorite part of competing in triathlon is having the ability to represent the U.S a second time, as well as camaraderie from teammates and competitors
She has a daughter named Jayden who is her biggest motivator
She enjoys being able to shape her daughter’s perspective, and teach her that people with disabilities are able to accomplish the same things as everyone else
Elmlinger’s biggest talent outside of triathlon is cooking, and if she could choose another career, she would open a food truck

Most recent: 2023 – gold (PTS4 - Women), 7th (Team Relay - Open)
Years of participation: PTS4 - Women 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023; Team Relay - Open 2022, 2023
Medals: 5 (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze)
- Gold – 2023 (PTS4 - Women); 2021 (PTS4 - Women)
- Silver – 2022 (PTS4 - Women); 2019 (PTS4 - Women)
- Bronze – 2022 (Team Relay - Open)

Athlete Bio

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