Blade runner becomes marathon man
Blade-running hero Liam Malone is set to become a marathon man.
The 2016 Paralympics double-gold sprint medallist is training for the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon on May 12.
The furthest Malone, 24, who won his 200m and 400m events and took silver in the 100m at Rio de Janeiro, had run before training for the 42.2km event was “a 1km rep at training — doing four of those”.
“I can run a half marathon [now]. By the end of it, I’m running with a massive limp because I’m in a lot of pain. I’m like skipping basically.”
Malone, who retired from Paralympics in January, was motivated to make it to the finish line in May because, he said, “I feel very gifted and privileged to have a pair of running blades that allows me to run.
“And for me, it’s a test. If I can get a marathon under the belt, then I could probably get a half Ironman, and then I could probably get an Ironman. So I see it as a stepping stone to taking on . . . these big challenges.”
After his two golds in Paralympic record time, Malone had aimed to be the world’s fastest man.
But changes to rules surrounding the artificial blades Paralympians can use made his aim more challenging.
His stunning Paralympics performance thrust him on to the world stage, and he has been in demand by international media, partied with global stars and modelled at New York Fashion Week.
“I wouldn’t say I’m like a fashionable person,” Malone said. “I couldn’t tell anyone what to wear to save myself.
“But I certainly recognise that there’s going to be other kids out there who either have artificial legs or artificial arms . . . some sort of characteristic that makes them unique, and society might not make them feel as beautiful as they are.
“The reason that . . . I’m happy to participate in the fashion world is ’cause I get to redefine perceptions and how the world perceives people with so-called disabilities.”
Malone was born with fibular hemimelia (absence of the fibula) in both legs. His legs were amputated just above his ankles when he was 18 months old.
Since retiring from Paralympics, Malone has begun working in the business development team at Soul Machines, an Auckland company doing ground-breaking work in humanising artificial intelligence.
He believes the firm’s work will help improve lives, and appreciates how his has changed thanks to cutting-edge technology.
He is also upping the pace in another of his passions — skydiving.
Malone, who suffered from anxiety as a teenager, did his first solo jump at 19.
“It was actually part of my strategy for overcoming all of my fears.
“Everything’s in perspective when you have to be cool, calm and collected jumping out of a plane by yourself.”
He is aiming for 100 jumps this year, and has done 35 already.
Malone’s mother, Trudi, died in 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.
He said that during that time he witnessed other people lose their health battles, some dying regretting what might have been. That had helped to spur him on to live life to the fullest.
“Seeing people die with regrets . . . gives you a lot of perspective.
“And then I feel like I have this huge opportunity presented to me with having artificial legs and being able to shape society’s perception of people with disabilities.
“So those two things coupled together are a great driver.”