Jacky Hunt-Broersma completed his 102nd marathon in 102 days last Thursday in Chandler, Ariz.
Ross D. Franklin / AP
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Jacky Hunt-Broersma completed his 102nd marathon in 102 days last Thursday in Chandler, Ariz.
Ross D. Franklin / AP
Most of the people who ran the Boston marathon last month spent several days before resting and several days after recovering. But not Jacky Hunt-Broersma. The Boston race was the 92nd marathon she ran in 92 days. The very next day, she ran another, then another, then another.
In total, she ran 104 marathons in 104 days, with the last race on Saturday. If it is confirmed by the Guinness World Records, it will be a new world record. And she did it all with a leg and a prosthetic.
But what made her set a new record? She simply wanted to see if she could do it, she said.
“The person before that did it, I looked at it and I said, ‘Well, she can do it. And she’s a capable body and I wanted to let me see if I could do it. on prosthetics and see what happens,” Hunt-Broersma said. “And it’s been an exciting journey because I want to push the limits and see how far I can go, but also see how far I can do it and if my prosthetic is really viable. “
There are a lot of factors that go into racing as an amputee, says Hunt-Broersma, and she’s not sure if she’ll make it past the 30 mark.
“I think that would be a great way to inspire others to push your limits because I truly believe we are stronger than we think,” she said. “And I was surprised when my body held up, everything stabilized and I hit 104.”
One might think that with such a run, Hunt-Broersma has been running all his life. But she actually didn’t get into the sport until her left leg was amputated below the knee in 2001 due to a type of cancer called Ewing sarcoma.
“When you lose your leg, there’s an element that makes you a little bit more stubborn because people tell you you can’t do too many things. You can’t do this, you can’t do that. And running is one of those things because it’s really complicated.”
Amputees cannot use conventional prostheses, they need a running blade. Hunt-Broersma has two, but she can only run with one for the duration of her life because swelling in her amputated leg prevents it from connecting to one of the blades.
Hunt-Broersma wasn’t always a runner. She didn’t get into the sport until her left leg was amputated in 2001. But since then she says she’s learned how strong she is.
Ross D. Franklin / AP
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Hunt-Broersma wasn’t always a runner. She didn’t get into the sport until her left leg was amputated in 2001. But since then she says she’s learned how strong she is.
Ross D. Franklin / AP
This is just one factor many amputees have to consider when running, she said. But even with occasional swelling and friction, she was able to push through it and keep striding.
“Running really changed me,” says Hunt-Broersma. “It changed my perception of how I see myself as an amputee. It made me feel powerful. It made me feel fearless. I can push boundaries and it’s incredible. “
No matter how much she loves the sport, there has been at least one moment in her 104 days where she considers it quits.
“I was so tired. I just didn’t want to do it anymore. And I don’t think that’s a good reason to quit,” she said. “I basically drew it in, pulled myself together and moved on. And then you go back to the routine and then you’re like, OK, I’m there. I’m moving forward and it’s going to be fine. . And then you just focus on each step, like every day, and you’ll get through miles that way.”
All together, Hunt-Broersma ran 2,724.8 miles. During that time, she had a lot of time to think and learned a few things about herself.
“It taught me how strong you can be and how much running is mentally beneficial. If you’re mentally strong and in the game, you can do anything. what,” she said. “And our bodies are just unbelievable. … This whole journey has been amazing. It’s been tough. It’s been incredibly difficult, but it showed me you can be a person. how strong and how far can you push yourself.”
After his impressive feat, Hunt-Broersma will take a two-week break from running before starting practice for his next big race – the 240-mile super-marathon in Moab, Utah in October.
