Anyone visiting Amager Strandpark on Thursday will have seen a whirlwind of activity in the form of the KMD 4:18:4 event, which is organised by the Ironman organisation.
Participants performed a tenth of an Ironman triathalon by swimming 400 metres, cycling 18 kilometres and running four kilometres. The event was repeated on Friday and again today.
Casper Vind, a 23-year-old Dane, completed the event on Thursday in an impressive time of 1 hour and 14 minutes and he was the only person entered to compete on all three days.
But more impressive still is the fact that Vind is also battling cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system.
Defying the odds
“It’s like having asthma, multiplied by ten, then with a cold on top. Some people say it’s like holding your nose and breathing through a straw,” he said.
“When I was born, doctors told my parents I wouldn’t reach my 20th birthday.”
But not only did Vind reach his 20s, it was then that his athletics career began, quite coincidentally.
“Last year I was working in Esbjerg and one of the neighbouring companies asked if I wanted to do a run and they would donate to the cystic fibrosis charity,” he said.
“Then I was contacted by a triathalon group and last June I did my first triathalon. I was joined by the famous Danish triathlete Rasmus Henning. I’ve done two half-marathons now and was named half-marathon runner of the year.”
Running for it
Vind founded Runforit (runforit.dk), an organisation to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis, provide support to fellow sufferers and raise money for research and therapy programs. His message for fellow sufferers who feel inspired to follow in his footsteps is clear: be stubborn.
“When people tell me I can’t do something I just go out and do it,” he said.
“When I did the half-marathon last year, I had a pump on my back feeding medicine directly into my heart. My doctor told me I would never work, but I work 80 hours a week. Decide to do something and, no matter what people tell you, keep pushing yourself and just go for it.”
Next year Vind plans to do a half-Ironman and after that the goal will be to complete a full Ironman. To follow his progress visit runforit.dk (in Danish, English version coming soon) and donate to the cause here.
