Retired Kiwi Paralympic sprinter Liam Malone has announced today that he is going to embark on one of the biggest tests in his life as he aims to compete in the Hawke's Bay marathon this Saturday without any preparation.
The 24-year-old won two golds at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the men's 200m T44 and 400m T44 events.
Malone says he wants to push his body to the limit and show the world that a double below-knee amputee can do things able body people can do.
"While I can't compete professionally I think I still enjoy taking on big challenges, so two months ago I signed up for the marathon and haven't trained at all for it and now I'm going to participate," said Malone.
"We'll see how it goes."
Malone poked fun of himself saying he's probably the most unprepared person for the marathon.
"I'm like the least prepared guy for a marathon, two missing legs and I think I have done ten training runs.
The double gold Paralympic sprinter is ready to break his pain threshold.
"I think I'm measuring success in this by getting to the end and not being in a wheelchair the next day."
The former Kiwi sprinter said the furthest he has ever run is 20km.
Malone said the task ahead of him isn't easy and he has tried to keep a clear mind before the race.
"Yeah I'm just trying to forget about it till I get there and turn up on the start line just not thinking about the fact of how far I have to run.
"I think I'm just going to start running and see how it goes."
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