Monday 28th September – Triathlon Swim Ace Mark Van Akkeren was knocked off his bike while returning from a training ride on Ali’i Drive around 11:30am. The accident happened as Mark was heading south making a left turn into the driveway of his condo. A man also riding south on a cruiser style motorcycle made the decision to pass Mark on the left as he was making his turn and the impact sent both Mark and the rider to the ground. Mark suffered heavy bruising to his left elbow and a broken hand, the severity of which has yet to be determined.

Mark is a second year Professional Triathlete with a very strong swim/bike combination. In 2009 he has led out of the water in all ten races that he has competed in. Overall victories include the USAT 2012 Talent ID race and the Pacific Crest Half Ironman. Said Mark of his aims for Ironman Hawaii 2010, “Things have been going very well for me in the run up to the World Championships, since Ironman Canada I have been focusing on setting the swim course record and winning the TIMEX bike prime. Based on my swim times in the pool the morning of the accident (ed: just short of 1650 Olympic trials standards) I know the course record was within my grasp.”

Mark would like to thank his sponsors TYR Sport Inc, Xterra Wetsuits, Boulder Running Co., Impact Street, Generation UCAN, PS Triathlon, PhysFarm Training Systems, Rotor Cranks, Wheelbuilder.com and Succeed for their messages of support as well as friends and family members for the messages of concern during this challenging time.

Always seeking out the positive, Mark intends to use this set-back to his advantage and will be staying in Kona to chat to sponsors and give back some help and support to athletes and friends as they embark on a journey they hope will have a more favorable outcome on October 10th on the Big Island.

More information on Mark can be found at
www.MarkyV.com
www.trimarkyv.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/MarkyV