Karl Hinett Returns to London Marathon as Part of his Recovery Journey with the Invictus Community

Karl Hinett served with the Staffordshire Regiment, dedicating his early career to operational deployments in Iraq and frontline service. He was severely injured in Basra in 2005 when his vehicle was set on fire during an attack, leaving him with third degree burns to his face, hands, arms, legs and stomach.

Karl has been on a long road of recovery since that injury over 20 years ago and continues to use sport to support that journey in the right direction. Running has become an essential part of that recovery journey and Karl will be taking on the challenge of running the world famous London Marathon as a member of the Invictus Community this April.

"Running became the foundation of my recovery. It started small and continued to grow year after year," Karl said.

The London Marathon holds special significance in Karl's heart as it was the first true test he put himself against when he was slowly rebuilding his life after his injury, completing the iconic London Marathon back in 2008 and it's a moment that truly opened his mind to the power of recovery through sport.

"London Marathon was the first true hurdle I put myself up against after my injury when I ran back in 2008. It opened my eyes to the power of running and movement that I could positively connect to a healthy mindset and lifestyle," he said.

Karl now refers to the London Marathon as a "pilgrimage" for himself and says it showed him that the concept of disability was only a word and that he could complete incredible sporting feats no matter his physical capabilities.

The Invictus Community has played a significant part in Karl's recovery, as he has taken part in numerous activities with the Invictus Games Foundation as part of our Beyond the Games programme and also as a competitor for Team UK at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.

Karl won silver in the Men's 1500 Metres race at Sydney 2018 and dedicated his medal to friends and family who supported him on his recovery journey.

Karl continues to run because he considers it a privilege to be able to move, let alone run.

"It's a great feeling to be exhausted and drained after training. I know this is unusual, but I see it as a privileged position to be in compared to others who may be unable to find their own challenge, particularly our lost friends who are no longer here. I feel we must push ourselves to honour them," he said.

He credits running as powerful enough to help process the trauma of a petrol bomb and describes the Invictus Community as something very close to his heart, saying that opportunities like running the London Marathon are life changing.

Karl will receive a boost of support from Veterans’ Corner at Mile 23 of the London Marathon, led by the Invictus Games Foundation, where military charities, veterans, and supporters will come together to recognise service, celebrate recovery, and provide a powerful moment of encouragement as runners approach the final stretch.

To learn more about this new initiative to support members of the Armed Forces Community at the world's most iconic marathon, click here.

Karl recently took part in Project Fire and Ice, which Karl and three other veterans, including Jason Fox from TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, drag sleds carrying all their supplies and equipment hundreds of miles across snow and ice covered rivers, lakes and forests in aid of SSAFA.

The Invictus Games Foundation provides opportunities like this for the Invictus Community through the We Are Invictus platform as part of our Beyond the Games programme.

If you are a member of the international Armed Forces community and were injured or fell ill during or as a direct result of your service, you are eligible to join the We Are Invictus platform and access opportunities like this Beyond the Games.