Blind Army Hero Runs Marathon – A blind Army hero runs marathon, inspires others in the process.
A touching story about a blind Army hero runs marathon, 13 and counting, as well as 2 triathlons and an ultra triathlon. Captain Ivan Castro first joined the Special Forces in 1999 to be a sniper but it was assignments with his M-24 rifle that made him excited.
A mortar attack in 2006 that nearly killed him was what made Ivan Castro blind. Castro was in a rooftop in Iraq when mortars landed nearly five feet from him. The mortar shells tore off parts of his arm, shoulder and buttocks. The right side of his face were also shredded, both his lungs collapsed and the shrapnels were lodged in his eyes leaving him blind permanently.
Before this hero runs marathons, blind Army Captain Ivan Castro was desperate, angry and depressed until a blind Marine visited him 2 months after the attack. It made him realize that although he has lost his ability to see, he was still a soldier, a leader and someone who loved challenges. Castro was a runner since high school and he set a goal to attend his first marathon and finish it.
13 months and 36 surgeries after, Castro ran at the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon and finished in 4:14. Since then, he found his new mission, to show other disabled soldiers what a blind man can do. He has met with members of the Congress to advocate for the wounded veteran’s participation in Paralympics and has spoken to various military and civilian events to inspire others.
His message to injured veterans is simple yet inspiring – “As long as you’re breathing, life is worth living”.
He has finished 13 marathons, most of his marathons, he is guided by Lt. Col. Fred Dummar. Castro is one of the 3 blind active-duty officers in the Army. Although injured, he never cease to inspire others.
People may come and go but no one will ever forget that this blind Army hero runs marathons.
Tags: army hero, blind army hero runs marathon, blind military man, ivan castro, ivan castro blind, marathon, News, society, triathlon
January 18th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I am a veteran who served in the Marine Corps and was moved by Ivan Castro’s story. I am also interested in knowing who is the Marine who told him, if you are breathing, it’s worth living.
I would like to see a follow up story on this Marine who helped his fellow comrade during a very challenging time. I salute them both for their courage and service to our Country!
March 4th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
I´m also a runner and people like Ivan are my inspiration!!!
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:31 am
[...] Get off of your butt and do something. Do you need more motivation? Here is a story about a BLIND Army Captain that runs marathons tied to a buddy. Here’s another one talking about his buddy. Ivan [...]