Jim MacLaren
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Born | (1963-04-13)April 13, 1963 |
Died | August 31, 2010(2010-08-31) (aged 47) |
Education | Yale University (BA, MFA) |
Occupation | Motivational speaker |
Website | JimMacLaren.com |
James E. MacLaren (April 13, 1963 – August 31, 2010) was a motivational speaker and author, noted for his record-breaking performances in the marathon and Ironman triathlon after having his left leg amputated below the knee.
MacLaren was born on 13 April 1963. He was a standout athlete in football and lacrosseatYale University. Moreover, even before matriculating at Yale he had been a leading athlete at Vermont Academy. In 1985, at the age of 22, MacLaren lost his left leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident, and had to be defibrillated. He recovered, and went on to run the marathon in 3 hours, 16 minutes, and to finish the Ironman Hawaii in 10 hours, 42 minutes.
Then, in 1993, during the Orange County Triathlon, MacLaren was struck by a van during the bike portion of the race and collided with a signpost, rendering him a quadriplegic.
MacLaren's accident inspired members of the running community to raise funds to allow him to purchase a van he could drive with his hands. The fundraiser rose above and beyond the amount of funds necessary, and the Challenged Athletes Foundation was founded in an effort to support other disabled athletes in their efforts.
Again MacLaren recovered, and used a wheelchair. MacLaren then worked as a motivational speaker and author.
He was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2005 ESPY Awards presentation. He died August 31, 2010, in his sleep.
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Named after Arthur Ashe | |
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2003: Amanda Walton 2003: Todd Williams 2004: Emily Miller 2004: Mike Nyeholt 2005: Michelle Thomas 2005: Macharia Yuot 2006: John Doar 2006: Lois Taurman 2010: 2007 B.U. baseball team 2012: Louis Zamperini 2016: Lauren Hill 2019: Maggie Nichols 2020: Rocky Bleier 2022: Steve Gleason 2023: The Black 14 2024: Roxanne Dunn |