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An athlete has become the first person with cerebral palsy to complete an Ironman contest after crossing the line with his twin.

Peder Mondrup, who has used a wheelchair his entire life, completed the punishing race to rousing cheers after nearly 16 hours.

Peder and brother Steen are also the first twins where one has cerebral palsy to complete an iron man event together.

Steen pulled his sibling in an inflatable rubber boat for the 3.8km swim before carrying him to a double bicycle that included a built-in lightweight running wheelchair for Peder in front.

After completing the 180.25km circuit Steen pushed Peder ahead of him in a lightweight running wheelchair for the final 42.2km marathon stage in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Steen said: “It means everything.

“It’s been a dream for five years and now it has come true.”

(Image: Reuters)

The Danish brothers, who called themselves Team Tvilling, or Team Twin, narrowly missed the race cut-off-time on Sunday, coming home at 15 hours, 42 minutes and 38 seconds.

Steen said: “It was a race against time. Particularly in the second round we were close to the cut-off, but we always believed.

“I don’t know where the energy came from, but the legs felt good today.”

The 34-year-olds were born three months prematurely.

Peder suffered from a lack of oxygen during the birth, leaving him with cerebral palsy and needing to use a wheelchair.

The twins took part in what they described as the biggest challenge of their lives to show that disabled people can exceed their apparent limitations and to raise awareness about wheelchair users.

They wrote on their website: “As we have always said: Steen got the legs and Peder got the brains, so we are the perfect combination for an athlete with iron will.”