NEW BERN, N.C.- Running any type of marathon can be quite a challenge, but imagine pushing your way through a 13-mile course by hand? That's just what members of Team Hope for the Warriors did in New Bern Saturday morning.
Paul Kelly has been paralyzed for most of his adult life. "I say there's an inspiration in every mile,” said Kelly, a civilian volunteer.
He's raced in ten marathons and 15 half-marathons on his hand cycle. He's raising money for Hope for the Warriors, a local non-profit supporting military men and women wounded in the line of duty. Kelly's goal is to raise 26-thousand two hundred dollars. "A thousand dollars for every mile,” said Kelly.
"It's the marine in me that says, you know, you're not quitting,” said Chris Hedgcortch, USMC Ret. “My bike was broken for most of the race today but, you can't quit. Once you start, you can't quit."
Hedgcortch took up hand cycling a year after being struck in a rocket attack in Baghdad. He's riding to raise money and awareness for his fellow wounded warriors. "I've seen them do everything from making sure the lights stay on to helping get a Visa for a grandmother in Peru so she can come watch the kids while mom and dad go to the hospital."
"I got injured in Afghanistan about two months ago,” said GySgt Matthew Austin, USMC.
Austin just joined the hand cycling team. He used to run in the marathons but even a gun shot wound to the leg wasn't going to slow him down. "The injury, first off, is not that bad,” said Austin. “I mean I lost the use of my right foot but there are people who lose entire legs and then go right back and deploy again."
They might be pushing their way to the finish, but their mission is far from complete. "It's been the most gratifying thing that I've ever done in my life,” said Kelly. And with each new race, a new chance to give back to those who sacrifice it all.
150 members of team hope for the warriors will race in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. at the end of the month. Kelly, Hedgcortch, and Austin will be there racing on their hand cycles.
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