Liam Malone completes Hawke's Bay marathon challenge
Former Paralympic Liam Malone finished the marathon after 4 hours and 47 minutes and placed 256th out of 297 runners.
Retired Paralympian Liam Malone has completed his first ever marathon, run on his blades.
Malone completed the 42km Hawke's Bay marathon in four hours and 47 minutes on Saturday morning, placing 256th out of 297 runners.
Better known for his skill in sprinting, the 24-year-old won the 400 and 200 metres in the T44 category at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Liam Malone decided to run in the marathon after his work mates talked about doing it but he was the only one who competed.
With only 10 training runs under his belt and artificial legs not designed for long-distance running, Malone always said the marathon would be challenging for him.
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Liam Malone is treated by a medic after finishing the marathon.
"In this I am really just a novice person, not an athlete taking on a challenge, with an added factor that I have two artificial legs not designed for long-distance running."
Malone had originally agreed to do the marathon after workmates talked about taking part, but he ran alone.
He said he wasn't nervous about anything else but the pain he would go through, and possible damage to his legs.
Liam Malone competed in the marathon with minimal training.
He was treated by medics immediately after crossing the finish line.
“But people should never be afraid to take on new arenas and challenges in their lives and having a willingness to fail, and that is a fun part of the process and very important," he said.
"And if you do fail, just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again. I really think it is that simple when trying new things.”
- Stuff
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