Achilles Mexico Athlete Travels to the U.S. To Compete In Her First Race In Houston, TX
Over 40 Achilles athletes, including military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team, members of Achilles Mexico and local members of Achilles Houston, raced the 2024 Chevron Houston Marathon weekend events on January 12-14.
The weekend started off on Saturday morning in Discovery Green where 22 athletes and guides took on the We Are Houston 5K. Afterwards, the team got together for a special lunch celebration to get to know one another.
Four members of the Achilles Freedom Team placed in the top of the men’s handcycle division for the full marathon including:
Jeff Chaffin, First place
Jim Madison, Third place
Ken Higgins, Fourth Place
Jeff Mellenthin, Fifth Place
Many of our athletes participated in their first race ever this weekend, including Jenny Bautista Medina who traveled all the way to Houston with seven of her Achilles Mexico teammates. Not only was this her first race, but it was also her first time traveling to the United States.
“This is really significant because Achilles is helping to change paradigms for indigenous women with disabilities,” says Teresita de Jesús Robledo Ríos, chapter lead of Achilles Mexico. “Sport helps them to find opportunities based on their skills and passions.”
Achilles was honored to take part in these races and celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the AWD category being included in the Houston Marathon.
We would like to thank the Moody Foundation for their continued support of our presence in Houston.
