From Losing a Leg to Chasing the World’s Biggest Marathons

One Leg. Two Stars. Tokyo World Major Marathon is next. March 7, 2027

#PatWingIt2Tokyo

In November 2020, I lost my right leg below the knee after being hit by a car. At 35, I had to learn to walk again.

Two years later, I flew to Bhutan and hiked 250 miles across the Trans Bhutan Trail and twelve mountain passes. I became the first American and the first below-knee amputee to complete the trail.

Three years after that, I finished the Chicago Marathon in 4 hours, 17 minutes and 17 seconds. It wasn’t a perfect race.

Now I’m working toward the Tokyo Marathon on March 7, 2027, and I’m asking for your help getting to the starting line.

I’m raising $5,500 to help cover the travel and race expenses for my second Abbott World Marathon Major.

Chicago wasn’t a smooth race. I had to stop several times to deal with my prosthetic. Those stops cost me time, but each time I got moving again. Crossing that finish line earned me my first star toward the Six Star Medal.

Tokyo is up next.

Since my amputation, I’ve raced paratriathlons across the country, reached state championship podiums, and competed at nationals. Through Dare2tri, I’ve learned from teammates, coaches, and mentors who keep challenging me to see what I can do next.

I’ve put in the work to get this far, with people beside me along the way. Getting to Japan is another step where support can make a real difference.

Where your donation will go you ask?

Here’s the planned budget for getting from the Bay Area to Tokyo and through race week:

✈️ Airfare: $1,500

Lodging: $1,200

Transportation: $400

Food/Nutrition: $500

Equipment and baggage: $500

️Insurance: $150

Race-week expenses: $250

Contingency for unexpected costs: $1000

Fundraising goal: $5,500

Traveling internationally with a prosthetic leg and racing equipment takes planning. Your donation will help cover the practical costs of making this race possible.

I’ll share updates as travel is booked, along with training progress and a race recap, so you can follow the journey you’re helping support.

If you can give $20, $50, $100, or any amount that works for you, I’d be grateful. If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with someone who might connect with my story is another way to help.

I’ll bring the training, the determination, and everything Bhutan, Chicago and ParaTriathlon have taught me. Your support will help me bring that work to Tokyo.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Patrick

Life is hard. Be harder.

This GoFundMe supports my personal travel and race expenses. You can also support adaptive sport programs through a separate gift directly to Dare2tri. Gifts through that link go to the organization.

https://linktr.ee/patrickwingert