Brave bus driver takes part in Ironman contest three weeks after being knocked off his bike
Peter Corcoran finished gruelling contest despite suffering multiple fractures
When Peter Corcoran was knocked off his bike by a car three weeks before he was due to take part in the gruelling Ironman European Championship, he thought his marathon running days were over.
But despite a fractured collarbone, wrist and big toe, multiple cuts and not to mention bruises, the 46-year-old still took part in the punishing endurance test.
Crossing the 226km swim, cycle and run finish line in just 14hours and 45 minutes, the former councillor of Mostyn Avenue, Wembley, has been crowned the ultimate Ironman.
He said: “I am quite lucky to be alive. When I was knocked off my bike, I was thrown into the air like a rag doll. I think the specialist helmet I was wearing saved my life. If I had not been wearing it, I dread to think what could have happened.
“But going from a high speed ambulance dash to the Ironman championship finish line was quite incredible. I still can’t believe I did it.”
The Ironman European Championship is a triathlon endurance event which includes 4km swim, 180km of biking and a 42.2km run. This year it took place on July 8 in Frankfurt, Germany.
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Mr Corcoran, a bus driver, said: “The heat was very challenging, it soared to 30 degrees, but I kept pushing and pushing. I didn’t mind the swimming and cycling. It was the running I was dreading.
“But my spirits were lifted with 20k to go as I knew I would make the finish line. Earlier on I really thought that was embarking on the impossible, especially with my injuries but I just wanted to complete it and raise money for charity.”
Money raised will be donated to St Luke’s Hospice, a respite care centre for people with terminal illnesses.
Donations can be made to Mr Corcoran online at www.justgiving.com/Peter-Corcoran1.
