Achilles Athletes and Veterans Conquer 47th Marine Corps Marathon, 10K and 50K Races
Members of the Achilles Freedom Team along with other Achilles athletes competed in the 47th annual Marine Corps Marathon, 10K, and 50K race on October 30 in Washington D.C. In our first trip back to this race since 2019, we had 23 Achilles Freedom Team members, 8 volunteer guides, and 18 athletes with disabilities from five different chapters participate including:
Colombia
Denver
New Jersey
New York City
Washington D.C.
Andrew Hairston, active duty United States Marine Corps Captain and Freedom Team member, placed third overall in the Hand-Cycle division while Francesco Magisano, Director of NYC Metro Region and TriAchilles placed first overall in the Runner Impaired division. Nafij Ahmed, a visually impaired athlete from Achilles Washington D.C., challenged himself to compete in the 50K as well, and finished with an excellent time.
This race is meaningful for the Achilles Freedom Team as it paid tribute to their military service. With active members of the Marine Corps lining the entire course of the race and placing medals around the necks of the finishers, this race honors our veterans throughout.
Retired U.S. Army Captain, Holly Koester, Achilles Freedom Team, was honored and inducted into Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame for the most overall finishes in both the Racing Wheelchair and Hand-Cycle Divisions.
Julie Smith, former Captain of the United States Air Force, Achilles Freedom Team, participated in the 10K. She has been an active member of the Achilles community for over eight years.
“I have multiple sclerosis but really wanted to keep running and being active. Achilles makes that possible with incredible support, encouragement, and a wonderful ‘can-do’ mindset,” Julie says.
“I was hooked and willing to take the risk—marathons can be daunting under the best of circumstances. I’ve run around 14 marathons under the guidance of the incredible people at Achilles. I can honestly say Janet Patton, the Freedom Team director, has changed my life. I’ve also had the great pleasure of running with some of the best guides on the planet. I am forever thankful.”
The race was extra special for Julie who ran it alongside her son, Ian, a West Point graduate.
“Ian said that although this is his first race with Achilles he can see the camaraderie on the team and the positive network available to veterans. Achilles provides a meaningful and supportive community regardless of ability. He finds running with me an opportunity for us to support each other as we face the challenge of this race.”
Learn more about the Achilles Freedom Team and support veterans with disabilities.
