KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii, Oct 11 AAP - John McLean plans to finish the Nepean Triathlon on his own two feet, 26 years late.
One of Australian sport's most inspiring figures continues to make stunning progress as he regains some use of his legs.
McLean is well-known as the first wheelchair-bound triathlete to officially finish the Hawaiian Ironman world championships.
He was also the first wheelchair athlete to swim the English Channel.
But since meeting therapist Ken Ware last April, McLean's extraordinary sporting career has taken another twist.
McLean, an incomplete paraplegic, was always to spend short periods standing.
Now he's back riding a bike and learning to walk again.
McLean was training for the Nepean Triathlon, west of Sydney, in 1988 when he was hit by a truck and nearly killed.
Later this month, he will attempt the 1km swim, 30km cycle and 10km run event as an able-bodied competitor.
Asked what the future might hold, McLean told AAP: "That's a great question.
"Anything's possible.
"It's my dream to do the triathlon in two weeks and let's see where we go to from there."
McLean had another milestone on the Queen K highway, the famous bike route for the Hawaiian Ironman, a few days before Saturday's race.
He switched from riding with wide handlebars to an unmodified road bike.
"Here's me riding a conventional bike - in Kona - with my leg braces on," he said.
"It was exceptional, because I'm feeling the wind in my face and you have the energy of the lava (fields) and the island.
"It was special to have that moment."
The 10km run at the Nepean Triathlon will be a slow walk for McLean, but he will have plenty of company.
Through his charity, McLean has enlisted sporting greats such as Steve Waugh and three-time Hawaiian winner Craig Alexander to take part in a fundraiser.
Members of the public can also enter the John McLean Foundation's Walk The Talk and join him for the last 5km of the triathlon course.
"Learning to walk again is the hardest part," McLean said.
"It's very difficult to learn to put one foot in front of the other after being in a chair.
"But with some carbon fibre leg braces and some walking poles, it's my intention to walk the 10km."
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