@FrumpyCob Struck by Vehicle on IMWC 70.3 Course

When any cyclist is injured by an irresponsible and reckless motorist, it hits close to home, but this weekend it hits even closer.

On Saturday, Oct 29th, during the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Event, in St. George, Utah, Mark, known to many on Instagram as @frumpycob, was one of two cyclists struck by one such reckless, intoxicated driver while out racing on course. Mark was riding at approximately 30 MPH when this driver suddenly pulled out in front of him, leaving mark nowhere to go but into the rear hatch of the vehicle.

Mark suffered several broken bones including to his nose, cervical spine, thoracic spine, several ribs, lung contusions, pneumothorax, and an open and critical fracture to his right arm, from which he experienced a significant blood loss and must endure several surgical procedures to repair.

To know Mark is to know that he is a staple in the triathlon community-offering help, knowledge, encouragement, bike mechanic work, and expertise in any way he can from both in person at many race events and afar over social media. Just this weekend he swapped out back wheels to a pro athlete who needed assistance, and offered myself a place to stay so I would be able to race. The examples of his kindness though, are boundless.

Mark is currently awake, joking, and already seems to be stronger today than yesterday; though he remains in critical condition and will have a very long and winding road of recovery ahead of him. He, and his gracious and similarly giving and thoughtful girlfriend, Lynnette, who live on the opposite coast, are in the area indefinitely as Mark begins his journey of recovery and remains in hospital, and I expect the unforeseen expenses will begin to add up quickly and with no current end in sight.

It has become readily and quickly apparent that there is an intense karmic force of people who wish to help Mark in any way possible, so I have set up this page to allow those people an outlet to do so if they see fit. Mark will be made aware of this GoFundMe immediately after it goes live, of course, but he has no knowledge of my intent to create it initially, as I fear that people who are often the givers are very bad at receiving and even worse at asking for help.

You can continue to follow Mark's journey on his instagram page, currently managed by the assistance of Lynnette, until he is able to post more easily.

Best Wishes to all,

Heather