Calgary Marathon registers longboarding motivational speaker

A motivationalspeakerborn without full arms and legs says his first marathon race is dedicated to raising funds and awareness forCalgary's Inn From The Cold shelter.

Chris Kochhopes to raise $10,000 to help end child and family homelessness by longboarding his way through the Calgary marathon.

Koch says after he wasn't officially allowed to race in the L.A. Marathon in February, he worked with organizers in Calgary to participate in the May 29event.

"I don't like to be too complacent in life," said Koch."I want to keep pushing myself."

This is the first time a longboarderwill beallowed in the event.

"We know that not every rule will fit every situation," said Kirsten Fleming, executive director of the Calgary Marathon."This is making an exception for an athlete that wants to push his limits using the mobility device that he has available to him."

'I was just Chris'

The motivational speaker grew up in Nanton, 90 kilometres south of Calgary, and credits his family for raising him to do whatever he wantedto overcome his disabilities.

"I was just Chris," he said.

Kochoften speaks about hisexperience living without limbs at seminars and conferences around the world including a feature onOprah'sSuper Soul Sunday special.

"The first time I met him I was like, this is a pretty awesome dude... it's going to be very inspiring for other people to see him out there on the course," said Fleming.

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