Double amputee, former F1 driver Alex Zanardi to compete in NYC Marathon

[Wizzo]

Alex Zanardi, the race car driver who had both legs amputated after a horrific 2001 crash, will compete in the New York City Marathon in the handcycle category.

It will be the 40-year-old Italian's first marathon.

Zanardi will be a speaker at the Barilla Marathon Eve Dinner the day before the Nov. 4 event, talking about his rehabilitation and return to racing. More than 15,000 runners are expected to attend the dinner.

"I have done a lot of crazy things before and always eat and train like an athlete," Zanardi said. "Therefore I feel like saying that I won't only cross the start line, but the finish line too. And I hope I can make it to the end in good condition and in a good time - my goal is to finish in less than two hours. I have one month for training and I will take it very seriously."

The winning time in the handcycle category last year was one hour, 25 minutes. Twenty-one entrants finished in under two hours.

Zanardi, a two-time winner of the CART open-wheel series in the U.S. who also competed on the Formula One circuit, was nearly killed on Sept. 15, 2001, at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz near Brandenburg, Germany, when his car was struck broadside by Lachenaie, Que., native Alex Tagliani travelling at about 330 km/h. He has competed in the World Touring Car Championship since 2004.

[johnbull]

This guy is quite extraordinary. His courage and determination is absolutely exemplary.

He deserves a medal before he even starts on his latest exploit.