Miracle man John Maclean to walk across finish line at Nepean Triathlon

Miracle man John Maclean is aiming to walk across the finish line at the Nepean Triathlon on Sunday 26 years after being hit by a truck.

John Maclean who was a rugby league player before being hit by a car and put in wheelchair is about to compete in a triathlon after regaining some use of his legs. John stands up next to his wheelchair at Timbrell Park in Haberfield Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

It has been 26 years in the making and this week former wheelchair athlete John Maclean will compete in the Nepean Triathlon as an able-bodied athlete.

Maclean was hit by an 8-tonne truck while cycling on the M4 training for the Nepean Triathlon near Penrith in 1988.

He has never given up hope of walking again and now he is achieving things that are astounding the medical world and redefining what might be possible for people with spinal injuries.

“This year is different because I’m doing it conventionally,” Maclean said.

“It was always a dream to get back to where I was but I didn’t see anything coming, I thought my life was going to be as a wheelchair athlete.”

On Sunday at the Regatta Centre in Penrith John Maclean will be joined by sporting legends Steve Waugh, Ky Hurst, Phil Kearns and Jana Pittman alongside 150 of his close friends and almost 2000 other competitors as he leaves his wheelchair behind to complete the Nepean Triathlon.

Last year’s Nepean Triathlon winners Emma Moffatt (left) and runner-up Ashleigh Gentle with men’s winner Aaron Royle. (JGRImages)

“Gordon Bell and the rest of the guys of the Nepean Triathlon do a wonderful job,” Maclean, 48, said.

“There’s a really impressive list of people who are high profile but at the same time people who just want to come along and be a part of it.”

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Although his preparation for this year’s triathlon is different and more difficult, Maclean said his main goal was to cross the finish line 26 years after being hit by a truck.

“I feel comfortable with the swimming because I have done a lot of that in the past. And I’ve been putting a lot of energy into the bike, to ride a conventional bike and that’s going OK,” he said.

John pictured with his bike at his home in Haberfield, Sydney. (Brett Costello)

“The walking is the biggest challenge, I’ve got some carbon fibre leg braces and some walking poles to help me with stability.

“Hopefully I will inspire people, cross the finish line with my wife and my son, and draw awareness to the kids in our community who are in wheelchairs.”

John Maclean has helped a lot of people through the John Maclean Foundation.

Maclean encourages the local Penrith community to join him and the other ­sporting legends in the last 5km of the walk/run, to support the John Maclean Foundation.

To donate visit JMF.com.au.