Nutri-Grain ironman series: Wes Berg walks away on own terms after remarkable recovery from broken neck

WES Berg has retired from professional ironman racing on his own terms, returning from a broken neck to compete with his family watching on.

Wes Berg with his kids before his final Nutri-Grain Ironman race at North Cronulla Beach. Picture: Gregg Porteous

THIS time, Wes Berg walked away on his own terms.

The Nutri-Grain series’ old man of the sea, 37-year-old ironman Berg was set to retire last season before suffering a broken neck in the surf on New Year’s Day 2016.

Berg escaped what could have been catastrophic and life-altering injuries, with the fractures in the C4 and C5 vertebrae leaving him with some numbness and a slight lack of strength more than a year on from the incident, rather than wheelchair bound.

But having had to cut his farewell season short – he stood on North Cronulla beach a year ago for the final round of the series in a neck brace – Berg was determined to return for the weekend’s reduced three-round series at the same venue, to banish the demons of last year and walk away on his terms.

Berg ran out for Sunday’s opening race with children Mila-May, Billie and Tally by his side in what he said was a special moment in his career.

“Especially (considering) when I first did the break I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to pick them up,’’ he said.

“There’s some people that have very similar breaks and they’re still in chairs, so I’m very fortunate.

“I still do get frustrated with myself and my body at times and what I can’t do but to carry the kids out was amazing.’’

Berg finished in 17th position overall in the series, showing he still has the ability to mix it with the sport’s best.

But he is ready to retire after more than two decades at the top.

“I’ve had 21 years doing this sport and it’s not a sport where you can just make the numbers up and run around at the back and hopefully get through, it’s a sport where you’ve got to be at your fittest, strongest and mentally, the toughest you can be,’’ he said.

“To come back from a broken neck, I’m ecstatic.

“I’ve got my family here and it’s just nice.

“The kind words from every person on the beach (when I finished the final race), just shaking my hand and giving me hugs and telling me what an inspiration I’ve been to themselves and their kids, it’s just very special.’’

Berg had finished in eighth position in the opening enduro round of the series, putting him in contention for automatic re-entry to the series.

But he said he never considered going around again.

“I’ve been at the front, I’ve raced against the generations,’’ he said.

“I’ve raced the Trevor Hendys, the Guy ­Andrews, the Zane Holmes, Ky Hursts, Shannon Ecksteins, the past winners for the past 21 years.

“I’ve been there, witnessing it, being a part of it and challenging them to be better.

“So I think it’s enough.

“I don’t want to come back and run around at the back every single race and be that guy that struggles.

“But what I’ve got out of this sport is incredible.

“I could never have imagined as a 16-year-old that I’d meet my ­future wife and have my beautiful kids and travel the country and have these opportunities to race against some of the best athletes in the world.

“This sport has made my life, so I’m very fortunate and I’m in debt to it for the rest of my life.’’