http://www.1000milewalk.com.au/
Val refuses to give up
Val Moran, has vowed to fight on in her quest to walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours for charity, in spite of a debilitating injury.
Val began her walk on 7 October at Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla, to raise money to support the programs offered by Sids and Kids ACT.
What was thought to be a niggling hip injury, was today diagnosed as a double stress facture of Val’s left hip. The injury likely occurred very early on in Val’s walk, meaning she has walked the majority of the 280 miles she has done so far – on a broken hip.
Val, a 65-year-old mother of 3 and grandmother of 10, has been told by specialists that if she takes another step she will do irreparable damage, and must not put any weight on her hip for 3 months.
“I am bitterly disappointed with today’s news,” Val said today.
The Moran family discussed the situation late this afternoon, and determined to continue the walk, have received the specialist’s okay for Val to complete her walk – in a wheelchair.
“If there was any way my body would allow me to complete the 1000 Mile Walk on foot I would,” said Val, “however I am dedicated to completing the journey and will do so in a wheelchair with support from my family, friends and volunteers.” Val’s son Gary Moran said “We are constantly amazed with the inner strength and resilience our mother displays. No one can understand the pain she must have been in as she struggled through those first 279 Miles. We fully support her in her bid to complete the journey and look forward to sharing in her joy when she completes the 1000 Miles.”
Val will rest on Saturday 19th October but at 6am Sunday morning she will be back at the track. A team of family, friends and volunteers will be on hand at the edge of Lake Burley Griffin to take it in turns to push Val around the track. “The days are likely to get longer as the pace will probably be a bit slower but Val is determined to finish it herself in anyway she can,” said Karen Faichney of SIDS and Kids ACT. “This is testament to her extraordinary will.”
Photos
Planet Ultramarathon 
Posted on October 19, 2007 by planetultramarathon