TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

In memory of Adam Jacobs, support the Challenged Athletes Foundation

In memory of Adam Jacobs, founder of The Final Sprint, please donate so that someone with dreams as big as Adam can reach their goals too.

The Achilles Track Club:
An Organization of Hope

Posted March 13th, 2007 at 1:20 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Success Stories, Columns, SPOTLIGHT

In the world of running, discouragement can come in many forms. Maybe the weather’s too cold to go outside for your morning jog, your trainer is saying you’re not ready for major races, or you just don’t think you’re good enough to be a marathon runner. Many people let these bits of negativity stand between them and achieving their dreams, fulfilling their potential, etc.

Then there’s the runners of the Achilles Track Club. Achilles is a worldwide non-profit organization whose mission is enabling individuals with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics; promoting personal achievement, enhancing self esteem, and lowering barriers between individuals.

Achilles was established in 1983 by Dick Traum; an above-the-knee amputee marathon runner who was inspired by events around that time in Canada. In 1977, a young man by the name of Terry Fox lost his leg to cancer. After experiencing first-hand the painful effects that such a disease can have on an individual, Fox decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He called his journey the Marathon of Hope.

Tragically, Terry’s cancer spread to his lungs; forcing him to cut his run short after 143 days. Although he died soon thereafter, his legacy and efforts continue to resonate today. Traum, one of the many individuals touched by Terrys courage and goodwill, helped to continue fundraising efforts for Terry’s cause. Upon returning to the States, Traum realized that there must be more people like Terry out there – people that weren’t willing to let their disabilities hold them back from amazing accomplishments. This is how the Achilles Track Club was born.

The participants of Achilles include people affected by such ailments and disabilities as cancer, amputation, visual and hearing impairment, and cerebral palsy. With the help of bi-weekly training programs, and the work of coaches and volunteers; members participate in mainstream events like the Boston and ING New York City Marathons. The 1998 New York City Marathon, for example, featured 281 Achilles runners from around the world.

I had the opportunity to speak with Traum; a dedicated man who is passionate about inspiring others. When asked about his favorite memory during his involvement with the organization, he recalled trips to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. It was here, while talking with soldiers who had returned from Iraq, that he met with young amputees and asked them if he was going to see them at the New York City Marathon later in the year.

After a few moments of stunned silence (the soldiers clearly thought that he had gone crazy), Traum pitched the Achilles Track Club and its hopeful message. Since that day, more than 150 soldiers have participated in the marathon through the Achilles Club.

In the future, Traum hopes to develop a stronger network throughout the United State and offer more opportunities for disabled Americans to take part in mainstream athletics.

Traum also envisions increasing international participation in the Hope and Possibility 5-miler – the Achilles Track Club signature event. The race is named after the book by Trisha Meili, the Central Park jogger brutally attacked in 1988, in which she describes her story of struggle, hope, and triumph. The Hope and Possibility race strives to spread the concept of optimism; the idea that no matter how bad things may seem now, there’s no telling what you can achieve tomorrow.

After years of involvement with Achilles, Traum continues to feel a sense of pride in his work:

“When you help others, you get a feeling of doing good, of changing someone’s life – and that’s just as exciting as succeeding yourself.”

For more information on the Achilles Track Club, please visit: AchillesTrackClub.org

Sources for more information: TerryFoxRun.org

Podcast 49: Interview with double-amputee triathlete Scott Rigsby | The Final Sprint (TFS) | The Internet’s Premier Running, Fitness, and Nutrition Publication said:

[…] Download the podcast to hear Scott discuss these topics, as well as, the unique challenges faced by amputees in endurance and multi-sport events, his opinion on Oscar Pistorius (who appeared on the front page of the NY Times on 3/15/07), the Achilles Track Club, and much more! Listen In [PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”) […]
May 16th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
download pc miler said:

download pc miler…

This post enabled me to come out which fresh content on download pc miler. Any similar posts like this?…
May 21st, 2009 at 9:00 am