Achilles Freedom Team Donates Adaptive Equipment and Joins Forces with Colombia Chapter in Half Marathon
Five U.S. military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team were invited to join our Colombia chapter in participating in the Media Maratón del Mar races on June 5, which included a half marathon, a 5K and 10K.
As part of the annual tradition of joining forces, Earl Granville, Cedric King, Ryan Long, Cesar Jimenez and Marc Owens donated adaptive equipment to Achilles Colombia such as running blades and prosthetics. The Colombia chapter is largely composed of fellow military service members and police.
Pierry Duván Ramirez Guerrero is a leading force in the partnership between Achilles Colombia and the Achilles Freedom Team. He is a program coordinator of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Survivor Assistance Program (INL-SAP). The program offers opportunities for social inclusion to police and military officers who have been permanently injured protecting Colombian citizens from narcotics, terrorism and crime.
Since 2009, INL-SAP has received support from Achilles International in various ways including racing entries, para-sports equipment and prosthetics, leadership, collaborative rehabilitation with Achilles Colombia and the inspiration to compete in mainstream endurance races.
The opportunity to participate in the half marathon together gave Achilles athletes the opportunity to make strong connections with other athletes from a different corner of the world.
“The main objective of competing in races together is to show our alliance, brotherhood and resilience becoming an example of pride and inspiration in Colombia,” says Pierry.
The INL-SAP’s latest project in conjunction with the National Police of Colombia and the Polus Center for Economic and Social Development is focused on the social inclusion of Colombian women and civilians living with a disability. The program works with Achilles Colombia to provide access to adaptive running, cycling and different athletic activities.
The Achilles Freedom Team is excited to once again be hosted by their Colombian teammates and friends this Labor Day weekend in Medellín, Colombia where they will participate in the Medellín Marathon races.
This fall, members of Achilles Colombia will travel to the United States to join their Achilles teammates to race together in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. and the TCS New York City Marathon.
