In only his fourth wheelchair marathon Team NI athlete Mark Millar set a personal best time of 1:58:48 en route to a sixth place finish at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
“I think I have to be delighted with that," said Millar who was making his games debut at the age of 42. "I’m only in a wheelchair four years after a big accident so to get to this level and be competitive I’m delighted."
The County Down native competed in cycling before a life changing accident in the summer of 2018 confined him to a wheelchair, although he was determined to continue in sport.
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“I was paralysed in June 2018 just after the last Commonwealth Games," he said. "It has been a tough journey back but also a very rewarding one coming into wheelchair sport and progressing as quickly as I have.
“I was probably top ranked at the amateur level in cycling but long distance triathlon was probably my main sport whenever the accident happened. I had a good aerobic base so it was just a matter of getting the arms built up and I took to the wheelchair racing quite quickly, I also did a bit of paratriathlon.”
Millar was competing when his accident occurred on the outskirts of Ballymena four years ago.
“I was doing the Ulster 100 mile time trial championships when I was hit from behind by an SUV," he said. “I broke my back in four places and dislocated my pelvis along with a lot of other broken bones and injuries.”
“I had a long period of rehab in the first year and then eventually just got back into sport and it has been a big part of my recovery.
“I was always aware of wheelchair racing having watched the London marathon and seeing David Weir winning nearly every year so I was very aware of what opportunities that were available to me.
"I just wasn’t sure with the damage to my shoulders and my upper bodies injuries whether I would be competitive and when I took it up it was more for recreation and to keep fit.
“I then went to NI Athletics at Mary Peters track and I just got on well with the guys and my coach and I just progressed gradually from there.
“This is only my fourth marathon in a wheelchair - I did half a dozen as a runner - but this was definitely the toughest one I have ever done, it is a very hilly course.”
Millar soaked up the Commonwealth Games experience and he already has his sights on Victoria in four years time.
“It’s mad," he said. "I nearly couldn’t believe getting into the Commonwealth Games never mind finishing sixth.
“I heard my family cheering at the start and several points around the course and it really spurred me on. It was great to see them and it definitely gave me a boost. They were special moments.
“I’m definitely going to keep going, I’m 42 so I’m not sure how long but I’m still enjoying it it is a great way to travel and meet people, I’ll keep going as long as I can maybe the next Commonwealth Games.”
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