Marine who lost both legs runs 7th marathon in Columbus, with 24 more to go
COLUMBUS. Ohio — A Marine who lost both his legs in Afghanistan was running his 7th marathon in Columbus Wednesday as part of his journey to complete 31 marathons in 31 days.
Rob Jones, 32, said he was doing it all to inspire others and raise money for wounded veterans charities. He was scheduled to run in a total of 31 cities.
"I'm doing it because I want people to realize that even though veterans are wounded, it doesn't mean they're broken or incapable of contributing to society," Jones told ABC 6 / FOX 28 during a brief stop at Ohio State's ROTC building, where he was greeted by Brutus and cheerleaders.
More than a dozen Columbus residents felt inspired to join Jones for at last part of his planned 26.2 mile route, which took him past the Columbus Police Memorial at Genoa Park and the Veterans Memorial at the Ohio Statehouse.
Jones was injured when IED exploded in Afghanistan in 2010. A surgery removed both his legs above his knees.
His motto has become "Survive. Recover. Live."
Ambitious goals have become a habit for him.
In 2014, he competed a 181-day bicycle ride across America, which raised $126,000 for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and Ride 2 Recovery, which help wounded veterans, according to his website.
He won a bronze medal for rowing in the 2012 Paralympics in London.
His 31 marathons were scheduled to end in Washington DC on November 11, Veterans Day.
