ASHEBORO, N.C. — For Army Specialist Josh Craven, cycling is more than just a hobby.

The Randolph County amputee describes competing in marathons as a passion.

“I was really active before the injury and this gives me a chance to be active now, in the situation I’m in,” he said.

On August 4, 2010, Craven was wounded in Iraq by an Explosively Formed Projectile or EFP. He lost his left leg and now wears a prosthetic. Craven spent more than a year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. undergoing dozens of surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation.

“When I first started I was like, ‘I don`t know how I`m going to do it.’ And day by day I got stronger, until now I just don`t even think about it,” Craven said. “It`s amazing.”

During that time, his wife Holly never left his side. “When I said my vows four years ago, I meant them,” she said.

Earlier this year, the couple moved back to Asheboro and purchased their first home together. Craven started training for marathons through Achilles International, a non-profit that serves wounded veterans. So far, he’s competed in the Chicago, Boston and Detroit Marathons.

Craven borrows his bicycle from Achilles International. One day, he hopes to purchase his own.

Craven will be medically retired from the Army in late December.

Past stories on Josh Craven: