Achievements
In 1991 he began to compete in triathlons. In 1992, he participated in the IronMan Triathlon in Hawaii – a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) swim, 112-mile (180 km) bicycle ride and 42.195-kilometre (26.219 mi) marathon. He became the first SCI quadriplegic to participate in and complete the Hawaii IronMan.
In 1997, he ran the Antarctica Marathon- one of only 82 people to complete the 42.195-kilometre (26.219 mi) course which crosses glaciers, icy streams, rock beds and soggy beaches in sub-zero temperatures and 45 mph winds. Pat became the first SCI quadriplegic to participate and complete a marathon.
Rummerfield is the holder of the FIA World Land Speed Record for a Class III electric vehicle (over 1000 kg), at 245.5 miles per hour (395 km/h), in White Lightning, set October 22, 1999.
He is the recipient of the 2000 ESPN's Aréte Amateur Athlete of The Year Award, the United States Marines Corps "Lead By Example Medallion" and the distinguished Human Spirit Award at the 2000 Christopher Reeve/Gateway To A Cure Awards Ceremonies. He has thrown out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs baseball game. He completed the Los Angeles Marathon. He was chosen by the Coca Cola Company to carry the 2004 Olympic torch, and was the national spokesman for all of the runners in the relay.
He began attending racing schools, including the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, and in October 2009 he accomplished another first by becoming the first SCI quadriplegic to participate in a professional motorsport, racing a dragster during the 2009 ADRL World Finals.
He was the first physically challenged athlete to participate and finish a stage in an adventure race, a particularly challenging athletic event.
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Famous quotes containing the word achievements:
“Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking of them that they measure him by what he envisaged or planned.”
—Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986)
“When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality, they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man’s name live for thousands of years. But above this level, far above, separated by an abyss, is the level where the highest things are achieved. These things are essentially anonymous.”
—Simone Weil (1909–1943)
“Fathers are still considered the most important “doers” in our culture, and in most families they are that. Girls see them as the family authorities on careers, and so fathers’ encouragement and counsel is important to them. When fathers don’t take their daughters’ achievements and plans seriously, girls sometimes have trouble taking themselves seriously.”
—Stella Chess (20th century)