Air Force Veteran Auston Duncan is training for the 43rd Athens Marathon while recovering from a spinal cord injury he sustained during his first snowboarding trip in 2021. The injury fractured his T8 and T9 vertebrae and resulted in other serious injuries. Duncan plans to dedicate the marathon to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), expressing gratitude for the support he received during his recovery. After his injury, he underwent rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Colorado, where he developed skills to regain mobility, including learning to walk again.
Duncan, who left active duty in 2023, now receives care from the VA’s Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Clinic. He emphasizes the importance of structure in his recovery, noting that he faced challenges without the constant support of rehabilitation. Duncan aims to inspire others through his marathon participation, showing that it is possible to overcome significant obstacles. The event will also serve as a Guinness World Record attempt. He encourages fellow veterans to seek help, highlighting the availability of resources through the Veterans Crisis Line and VA health care services.