Marc Herremans
Encyclopedia
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
and motivational speaker.
Triathlete
Because of his 4th place finish in the IronmanIronman Triathlon
An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation consisting of a swim, a bike and a marathon run, raced in that order and without a break...
of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, he secured a place for the 2001 Ironman World Championship
Ironman World Championship
The Ironman World Championship has been held annually in Hawaii since 1978, with an additional race in 1982. It is owned and organised by the World Triathlon Corporation and is currently sponsored by Ford...
held in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. On 6 October 2001, he finished in 6th place in the Ironman of Hawaii, widely regarded as the toughest triathlon competition in the world. Marc had only been training for triathlons since 1998, and he was considered by his trainers to have an enormous potential. He was expected to compete for one of the top three positions the following year.
Paralysis
Unfortunately, on 28 January 2002, every dream of winning the Ironman was crushed when Marc, during bike training in LanzaroteLanzarote
Lanzarote , a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering 845.9 km2, it stands as the fourth largest of the islands...
, fell at a dangerous bend, landed on rocks and broke his back. Marc was immediately brought to a hospital, yet the doctors quickly diagnosed that Marc had suffered total paralysis from his stomach to his feet, and would be forced to live in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Remarkably, only 3 months after the accident, Marc refused to be discouraged and began training for the Ironman Championship as a wheelchair athlete. In 2002, he was elected by the Belgian press as sports personality of the year. He earned the nickname "Mad Max" due to his determination and unwillingness to give up.
Wheelchair athlete
Marc participated in the Ironman of Hawaii in 2002, only 10 months after his accident. He participated again every following year. In 2006, he finally succeeded in his goal: he was the first wheelchair athlete to arrive at the finish of the Ironman of Hawaii (ironically, he didn't receive any prize money, because wheelchair athletes do not receive prizes).To Walk Again
In 2003, he started a foundation called "To Walk Again" that supports other disabled people, with such efforts as creating a sports centre for disabled people, and investing in bone marrow research. Marc was especially inspired when he met disabled celebrity Christopher ReeveChristopher Reeve
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author and activist...
.
In October 2007, Herremans became the first person to complete the Crocodile Trophy
Crocodile Trophy
The Crocodile Trophy is an annual mountain bike ten day stage race held in North Queensland, Australia. The race typically covers around the over 10 stages and is known to be one of the most demanding mountain bike race in the world. The race is marked for the heat and the rough terrain of the...
with a hand bike. The Crocodile Trophy is one of the world’s hardest mountain bike races, traversing part of Northern Australia.
Book and movie
Marc Herremans has written a book and helped in the making of a film about his life. The book, the film and Marc's foundation are all titled To Walk Again. The film, directed by Stijn ConinxStijn Coninx
Stijn, Baron Coninx is a Belgian film director best known for the movie Daens. He was made a Baron by King Albert II of Belgium...
with a soundtrack provided by Ozark Henry
Ozark Henry
Piet Goddaer is a Belgian musician, better known by his stage name Ozark Henry.-Biography:In his early life, Piet Goddaer was involved in several local bands...
, follows Marc in both his effort to win the Ironman and to help disabled people with their lives, by encouraging them through his To Walk Again Foundation.