Above the Knee Amputee Vet to Run New York Marathon

On September 30th 2011, US Army veteran Edward Lychik became an above the knee amputee when a rocket hit his vehicle. Most of his left leg was gone and needed to be removed above the knee. Today, Lychik has proved his doctors— and even himself in the early hours after his injury— wrong. Today, Lychik doesn’t just walk. He runs.

As if by a dream come true, a custom-designed prosthetic leg with a curved blade and hip socket has enabled Lychik to finish four marathons, including the Boston Marathon in March, since his injury. On Sunday, he’ll run his fifth when he competes in the New York City Marathon.