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Shooting victim beats Mumbai terrorists to run again
Peter Dominiczak14 Sep 2009
A man who had to learn to walk again after being shot in the Mumbai terror attacks last year has completed a gruelling 34km running and cycling challenge.
Harnish Patel, 29, was shot three times in the legs and chest during the massacre last year.
He competed in the Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity London Duathlon, which involved a 9km run, a 20km bike ride and another 5km run in Richmond Park.
A total of 166 people were killed in the attacks by 10 gunmen in Mumbai in November.
Mr Patel is still in pain because of nerve damage to his legs but said he was determined to get back to running whatever the cost.
He said: "After the attack it was incredibly hard to get back into training. I had tubes sticking out of my legs draining blood and there was a real worry I wouldn't be able to run again.
"I made a decision that I would get back to running and when I did, it was the most incredible feeling. I came off crutches in March and I was determined to succeed. At first the pain in my legs was intense but I improved gradually."
He added: "Of course I'm still affected by what happened in Mumbai but you have to keep going. What happened has stayed with me. It's not something you can just put behind you. Exercising gave me the focus I needed to pick myself up and move forward. I do feel pain when I run and doctors have said I may never regain feeling in parts of my legs."
Mr Patel, who used to live in Putney but now lives in Havant, said: "Unfortunately my time was pretty appalling and I'm a bit disappointed. I'll be back next year and I'll definitely smash my time."
Mr Patel worked as a commercial surveyor before the attack but said he is now struggling to find work.
He said: "I'm well enough to go back to work but the economic climate is so bad that there just doesn't seem to be anything available at the moment."
Reader views (2)
Great going Harnish...glad to see you are back to sprinting, beating it tough. All the best, god bless.
- Anand Holla, Mumbai, India, 16/09/2009 13:28
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Awesome achievement, Harnish!
Hope this article quickens your ability to find a job seeing as it shows how determined and dedicated you are!
- Tony Baker, London, UK, 14/09/2009 13:43
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