A breathtaking performance. Jacky Hunt-Broersma, 46, has covered 42.195 kilometers a day since January 17, the equivalent of a daily marathon. Amputated with a leg in 2002, at the age of 26 following a rare bone cancer, she performed this daily feat on a loop course set up near her home in Gilbert, Arizona, or on an indoor treadmill.
Last Saturday, the South African athlete completed a 104th consecutive marathon in as many days. Initially, her ambition was to complete 100 marathons in 100 days in order to put her name in the Guinness Book of Records before a British athlete completes 101 marathons in 101 days. She therefore started a 102nd marathon before chaining two more to secure her place in the Guinness book. In total, the South African covered 4368 kilometers, almost the distance between Paris and Qatar.
Guinness World Records spokeswoman Amanda Marcus said Jacky Hunt-Broersma will have to wait approximately 12 to 15 weeks to gather and review the evidence to certify the record.
“Part of me was really happy to be done,” she told the BBC from her home in Arizona. And the other part kept thinking I should go for a run. »
She hopes her quest will inspire people around the world to push themselves to do hard things. “Running has made such a difference to my mental state and it has shown me how strong my body can be. It gave me a whole new acceptance of who I am and that I can do hard things. »
$85,000 raised
Very popular on social networks during her journey, the South African managed to raise more than $85,000 (about 75,800 euros) to help other amputee runners obtain the expensive prostheses they need via the association “Amputee Blade Runners”. Health insurance usually does not cover the cost, which can exceed $10,000 (around 9,500 euros).
If she will finally be able to take a little rest, Jacky is determined to continue on her way. Now for her the next step will be the Moab, a 387 kilometer race in Utah in October.
