Paraplegic Athlete Beth Sanden Completes 42km North Pole Marathon
"I want to encourage others that are in a disability life that they can do stuff even with a disability. They can still run for their dreams and make goals," Beth Sanden, mother of 2 adult daughters and triathlete said.
When training for an Ironman triathlon in 2002, Beth’s spine was damaged from a cycling accident and she became a paraplegic. She’s never let her injuries slow her down and her love of life, positivity and motivation can be seen through each of her accomplishments.
On 9 April 2017, Beth solidified her place in the Guinness World Records as she braved one of the most hostile landscapes on the planet, racing an incredible 42km to complete the North Pole Marathon using a handcycle.
Beth was the sole challenged athlete among the 50 competitors. Her three-wheel cycle had been adapted for the snow and ice with 18 gears and studded tires to carve into the frozen ocean.
With about 3km to go and over 6 hours of gruelling effort behind her, Beth’s dream to complete the race almost shattered.
In the -40 degrees Celsius temperature, the batteries warming her gloves had reached breaking point. Her hands were left unprotected against the unforgiving cold and frostbite became a real possibility.
Beth was determined to complete the race and to not give up despite the risk. In an inspirational effort, she fought on to endure the half an hour of life-threatening cold to reach the finish line.
Beth crossed the finish line after a punishing 7 hours, 31 minutes and 40 seconds.
The last runner joined Beth in the warming tent five hours later, having shared with Beth that four weeks prior to the race she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, and was only planning to complete a half-marathon.
However, after being inspired by Beth cranking out her all, the woman grasped the emotional strength needed to complete the full marathon. "You gave me the courage to do this," she said.
Beth is passionate about being a source of encouragement and motivation for others. Her long-time friend Diane Chapman is writing Beth’s inspirational story into a book. "If she can do that, we can all climb our own personal mountains too," Diane said.
Alongside tackling challenges across the globe most able-bodied people would consider impossible, Beth has worked with Challenged Athletes Foundation to give opportunities to disabled athletes in Tanzania, Peru and Vietnam. She continues this mission today.
Beth's story can transform our perceptions of what is possible with a dream and belief in oneself. Her positivity in conquering obstacles and living life to the full is a true inspiration and is summed up perfectly by Beth's belief that "the measure of a life after all, is not its duration, but its donation".