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.
"현재 여러분이 가진 것에 감사하고 매일 행복을 향해 노력하는 것이 중요합니다."
마르코 체세토는 케냐 카펜구리아에서 태어나 현재 알래스카에 거주하고 있습니다. 그는 하이킹, 낚시를 즐기는 장애인 올림픽 프로 육상 선수이자 어린이 축구 코치입니다. 2012년, 양쪽 무릎 아래 절단 수술을 받은 그는 NAFSA(National Association of International Educators) - 전미 국제 교육자 협회로부터 영감을 주는 학생 어워드를 수상했고, 2년이 지나고 알래스카 스포츠 명예의 전당까지 오르게 되었습니다.
마르코는 오서의 프로-플렉스 XC를 착용하며 문제없이 일상 활동을 하고 있습니다. 그는 오서 의지를 착용하며 달리기에 있어 더 높은 수준으로 경쟁할 수 있게 되었습니다. 그리고 달리기는 동상으로 두 발을 잃은 그가 앞으로는 절대 할 수 없으리라 생각했던 것 중 하나였습니다.
그는 절단 수술을 받은 다른 사람들이 그들 자신을 믿고 긍정적인 삶을 살 수 있도록 돕기 위해 노력하고 있으며, 그 또한 마주한 현실에 불평하지 않고 앞으로의 일상을 열심히 살아가는 사람들에게서 영감을 받곤 합니다.
“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.”