**Marine Veteran Breaks World Record for Wheelchair Endurance**
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In an extraordinary display of determination and resilience, Mike Egan, a veteran and bilateral amputee, has made headlines after breaking the Guinness World Record for the most miles covered in a wheelchair within a 24-hour period. The record-breaking event, which unfolded on November 10, 2025, at the Morgan’s Wonderland Sports Complex in San Antonio, Texas, saw Egan cover an astounding 152.37 miles in just 21 hours, completing over 720 laps around the course.
Egan’s journey to this remarkable achievement is marked by both personal struggles and triumphs. The 38-year-old former U.S. Marine enlisted in the service in 2008 and dedicated six years to the military. His life took a dramatic turn in 2014 when he was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) during a deployment in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of both his legs. Following this tragic event, Egan endured a year of rehabilitation and more than 40 surgeries, spending three months in a hospital in San Antonio, his current home.
After transitioning into civilian life, Egan pursued a bachelor’s degree in psychology and carved out a pathway as a personal trainer. Over the last decade, he has been particularly passionate about fitness, viewing it as essential for both physical health and mental well-being. In an interview, Egan emphasised the dual benefits of maintaining fitness, stating, “It’s both physical and mental health.”
His journey into functional fitness began when a potential client with a disability approached him. Despite originally only training able-bodied individuals, Egan sought to expand his knowledge by attending a seminar that introduced him to functional fitness techniques, similar to those utilised in CrossFit. Although Egan was a novice in CrossFit, he soon fell in love with the sport, competing at the Adaptive CrossFit Games for three consecutive years, where he ranked as the second fittest in his division.
Setting his sights on the world record was a long-held ambition for Egan. He felt compelled to challenge himself further, recognising that it would be a monumental task, especially given his background as a strength athlete rather than a cardiovascular one. “I thought it would be super challenging because I’ve never been good at cardio,” he remarked. Egan kept his plans somewhat secret, even from his family, during the early months of his training, wanting to ensure he could achieve this ambitious goal before unveiling it to his supporters.
Underpinning Egan’s goal was not only a personal drive for accomplishment but also a desire to raise awareness and support for veterans facing similar challenges. Partnering with Valorfit, a veteran support organisation, he aimed to highlight the importance of fitness in the lives of veterans. “There’s a need for getting veterans into the fitness space,” he said, recognising the significant advantages that fitness can provide, especially through collaborative activities like CrossFit.
As Egan prepared for his record attempt, he enlisted guidance from a coach specialising in ultra-endurance events. His rigorous training regimen was intense; in the months leading up to the record attempt, he logged an impressive 120 miles in a single week, peaking at about 130 miles shortly before the event. His training sessions included pushing himself to his limits, with some days dedicated to covering as many miles as possible over extended hours.
On the day of the record attempt, Egan set an ambitious goal of 150 miles. He swiftly surpassed the previously-held record of 113.34 miles with six hours still remaining in the contest. Incredibly, he continued onward, finally finishing after 21 hours of relentless effort. Amid the overwhelming physical strain—especially with swollen, bloodied hands—Egan credited his supportive entourage for motivating him to continue. “It’s the people I had around me that kept me going,” he shared.
Egan recognised that breaking this record is more than just a personal milestone; it symbolises his journey and the struggles he has faced to reclaim his life after such a significant loss. “I wanted to push the limits of what is perceived as possible for people with disabilities,” he explained.
Looking towards the future, Egan holds aspirations for additional challenges, hinting that his next race may be outside the realm of wheelchair competitors. While his specific plans remain under wraps, his journey continues to inspire others, proving that limits are often defined by one’s perspective and determination.