Brad
Hagkull is a 37 year-old father
of two and his youngest son, Benjamin is
seven. Benjamin was born with Spina Bifida and gets
around in a wheelchair. Two years ago, their family
watched an inspirational story where the Hoyts - a
father and his handicapped son - participated in the
Hawaiian IRONMAN triathlon competition together (2.5
mile swim, 125 mile bike and a full marathon!) and
Benjamin announced, “Daddy,
I want to do that”.
After several months of training,
Brad and Benjamin competed in their first event -
the Chill Out Duathalon in May, 2004. They completed
their first triathalon that August in Harrison, British
Columbia - a much shorter version of the IRONMAN. Both
have caught the "tri-bug" and are now entering their
third season.
Here’s how it works
Swim: Brad
designed a harness that he uses to pull Benjamin in
an inflatable boat for the swim segment.
Bike: Benjamin
pedals behind him in a Trail-A-Bike (with adapted
pedals).
Run: After outgrowning
the jogging stroller, Ben now rides in a custom
contraption that can only be described as a "Jogging
Wheelchair".
Their goals are quite simple
1. Raise awareness of Spina Bifida
(did you know that Spina Bifida affects 1 in 750
births in Canada/)
2. They want to send the message that “disability” is
only a word and that lofty goals can be achieved
by the physically disabled.
3. To model their motto - Where
Finishing Is Winning - in triathlons they participate
in.
They are looking ahead to the 2006
season and have their sights set on several triathlon
and charity events in the Lower Mainland, including
The Hope River Classic - an 8km fun walk/run/wheel
event Team Hagkull is hosting in August.
May 15 - Camp Stillwood Triathlon,
Cultus Lake, BC
June - Canadian Bible Society Run-A-Thon, Sardis,
BC
July 23 - Abbotsford Triathlon Festival, Aldergrove,
BC
August 19 - The Hope River Classic,
Chilliwack, BC
September 4 - The Vancouver Triathlon,
Stanley Park, BC
September 17 - The Terry Fox Run, Chilliwack, BC
|
