Man competes in Bluegrass 10,000 for the 40th time in a row

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - For some, this is just a race. Some may be running their first, others their 10th, but few hold a candle to the legacy of David Hartsek.

"Today I've been blessed to complete my 40th consecutive run in the Bluegrass 10,000," shared Hartsek.

It all started back in 1975 when he was injured in a life-altering car accident, leaving him a paraplegic.

He came to Kentucky to pursue wheelchair basketball when a friend convinced him to race in 1984.

"My first race, I actually modified my basketball chair; racing wheelchairs wasn't a thing back in '84," shared Hartsek.

From that moment, he knew something bigger was to come of this.

"It starts with today. What you do today makes tomorrow a better day," shared Hartsek.

Months before his 40th race, he was diagnosed with a severe blood infection, which hospitalized him for the entire month of April, putting race day in jeopardy.

"Day in day out, training, weight lifting, doing all that stuff to get my strength back, my main concern was just to finish the race," shared Hartsek.

Even while fighting through a tough diagnosis, the thought of quitting didn't cross his mind.

"If I was going to come down on a stretcher, I wanted to finish the race," shared Hartsek.

"Finish" is exactly what he did.

In his first competition, he wanted to finish the race in under an hour. Today, he shaved 25 minutes off that 40-year-old goal.

While one goal is finished, it surely doesn't mean he is. We asked if he plans to be back next year.

"As they say in the hills, If the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I'm gonna be here. It would have to be pretty high for me not to be here," shared Hartsek.

Hartsek came away with a first place win in the hand cycle group. marking another sweet milestone. His 10th time winning his division.