71-Year-Old Amputee's Inspiring Comeback in Super Triathlons

Chris Arthey, aged 71, is currently dedicating six days a week to training for his seventh super triathlon, scheduled to take place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in June. This event marks a significant milestone in his athletic journey.

His life took a dramatic turn 18 years ago when a drunk driver traveling at high speed collided head-on with the motorcycle Arthey and his wife were riding in Texas. The accident resulted in both of them undergoing amputations of their left legs.

Arthey, who had previously completed nine international marathons, found himself in a medically induced coma. Upon waking, the reality of his amputation and the potential loss of his identity as a runner was a profound blow. He described this period as his lowest point.

Following months of rehabilitation, Arthey and his wife returned to the UK with prosthetic legs. Driven by curiosity about what amputees could achieve, and with the help of a prosthetist who designed his running leg, he learned to run again, experiencing the exhilaration of movement.

Since his amputation, Arthey has achieved remarkable feats, including completing two marathons, notably the London Marathon in 2017 at age 61. He became the first above-knee amputee to finish the race, with a time of 4 hours and 50 minutes. Additionally, he has completed over 20 triathlons, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and trekked to Everest base camp.

Arthey plans to continue his athletic pursuits as long as he enjoys them, acknowledging that he will inevitably slow down. He has also raised thousands of pounds for the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity, supporting people with disabilities. The Blenheim Palace Supertri triathlon, featuring over 7,000 participants, will occur on June 6th and 7th. Michael D'hulst, co-founder and CEO of Supertri, praised Arthey's dedication as an inspiration, highlighting how sport can provide meaning and purpose.