CARY, N.C. — A lot of people are exercising at home as a way to get through life in quarantine, but a North Carolina woman took it to the next level by becoming the first amputee to run 100 miles at home.
Jacky Hunt-Broersma’s told our news partner WTVD her original plan was to run a 100-mile race in Raleigh. But when that got canceled due to COVID-19, she came up with the indoor alternative.
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“I would have to do 200 laps around the neighborhood to do, to get to the 100 miles," Hunt-Broersma said. "But I had done some research and found out an amputee had never done 100 miles on the treadmill before and I thought oh, that would be a good challenge.”
She completed the challenge in 23 hours and 38 minutes with friends cheering her on from her patio to keep a safe distance.
“It was definitely the hardest, hardest thing I’ve ever done, just from a mental point of view,” Hunt-Broersma said.
Around the 62 mile mark, she said hit a wall and nearly quit, but she decided she needed to keep ongoing.
“I’m thankful for my body that I’m able to do this and I’m in awe because it’s just amazing,” Hunt-Broersma said.
Hunt-Broersma lost her leg to cancer almost 20 years ago and had to learn how to walk again. For her efforts in this challenge, she received some blisters and some bruises.
She also got a coveted buckle by hitting the “Century Mark.”
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