Marko Cheseto Lemtukei

Runner and Paralympian

“Keep trying, trying, trying and you will be better at what you want to be.”

Professional runner. Marathon runner. Paralympian. Coach.

Born and raised in Kapenguria, Kenya, Marko Cheseto came to the U.S. on an athletic scholarship at the University of Alaska, Anchorage where he set several collegiate track and field records.

Today Marko is a professional runner and Paralympian who also loves to hike, fish and coach children’s soccer.

In November 2011, Marko went for a run in a blizzard and went missing. Police found him 56 hours later outside of a hotel near the campus suffering from severe hypothermia and frostbites.  A week of recovery later, Marko had to undergo surgery to amputate both of his lower legs. 

In 2012, the double amputee received the Inspirational Student Award by the NAFSA: National Association of International Educators, and two years later, he was inducted into to the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.

Just 18 months after the amputation, Cheseto received a pair of Össur Flex-Run with Nike sole running blades as a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
In the 10 years since the accident, he has completed more than six Marathons, and has continued progressing toward his goal of completing a Marathon under two hours.

“Össur helped me regain my confidence and provides what I need to perform at the highest level. I live a life without limitations, and today I am committed to never giving up.”

For daily activities, Marko today wears Össur’s Pro-Flex XC prosthetic feet and for marathons he uses the Cheetah Xceed blades.

He also works on helping other amputees believe in themselves and live positive lives and is inspired by people who try their hardest despite their immediate circumstances without making excuses. He believes it’s important to “be thankful for what you have at the moment and striving towards happiness every day.”