Cyclists compete in 5th annual Warrior Games

The road to the finish line isn’t easy. The road to recovery is even more difficult.

Hundreds of wounded troops are competing in the fifth annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs.

Dozens of athletes competed in cycling events on Fort Carson Monday.

“It was tough. There’s a lot of good competition out there,” Fort Carson soldier Max Hasson said.

Hasson was injured while serving in Iraq. He had back surgery in January, and has been training for this competition for months.

“Nothing gets in the way of my cycling except for my family,” Hasson said.

Many soldiers said they wouldn’t be where they are now without their support system. A crowd of family and friends were on hand to cheer for their heroes.

“It’s amazing to see these guys with impairments that don’t let those impairments run their lives,” said Gabriela Marshall.

Some spectators were happy to see how far their soldiers have come since being injured.

“They go from top physical shape to being knocked down. It’s nice to be able to show support while they climb back up to the top,” said Richard Marshall Jr.

In the end, the games are about more than winning. They are about overcoming adversity.

“A lot of people doubted me, and I overcame a lot of people doubting my abilities,” Hasson said. “I pushed myself pretty hard.”