In 2001 he was on top of the world, a top ranked Formula One driver - and in a flash on September 15 that all changed. He was hit broadside by Alex Tagliani at a track near Brandenburg, Germany doing about 330km/hour. He survived the crash but lost both legs. Since his rehabilitation, fitted with prosthetic limbs, he now competes in the BMW World Touring Car Championship.
This week he announced he will compete in his fist marathon - in the handcycle division at the NYC Marathon. The winning time in the handcycle category last year was one hour, 25 minutes; Zanardi’s goal is sub two hours.
“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.”
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.
