London Marathon is a Series of PRs and Firsts for Achilles Athletes with Disabilities
The TCS London Marathon on April 21 was a series of firsts and PRs for 60 Achilles athletes, guides and charity runners. With the race’s most inclusive field yet, more Achilles athletes with disabilities participated than ever before.
Ten Team Achilles charity runners raised over $82,000 to support athletes with disabilities, including Achilles NYC volunteer guide Tianna Biscone who completed the race in 3:00:42 for a PR. Achilles Houston athlete and charity runner Diana Codispoti is believed to be one of the first little people to complete the London Marathon.
For most athletes it was their first time in the race, including Roger Oberholzer, who is a virtual Achilles Team USA member.
“It is always an amazing experience to participate as an Achilles International athlete and to get more familiar with other Achilles athletes who have a different disability then my own and to meet athletes that are visually impaired or blind as well,” said Roger. “I love that all athletes with a disability can compete as part of Achilles and so many of us have different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.”
Achilles Brazil athlete Marcus Freire and Achilles Freedom Team veteran Micheal Gielbeda both received their sixth and final Abbott World Marathon Major star.
“I have many people to thank for this achievement, especially my Achilles friends who welcomed me and showed me that life is made up of personal battles, and that we should live one day at a time,” Marcus said.
To kickoff race weekend, athletes from around the world joined a shakeout run with the Achilles UK chapter before the race. Achilles was also invited to host a special reception at Winfield House, the official residence of the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Achilles Freedom Team veteran and Board Member Cedric King addressed Achilles community members, race organizers and other leaders in the adaptive running community about the importance of pushing past your limits after experiencing trauma and having a supportive team. A representative from the Abbott World Marathon Majors surprised Cedric with an entry into next year’s Tokyo Marathon, his final race needed for the six stars. World Record triathlon athlete Raymond Braun ran the London Marathon as a guide with Cedric. Jane D. Hartley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, shared a special virtual pre-race good luck message to the Achilles community.
Achilles congratulates all of the athletes from the UK, Brazil, Charlotte, Connecticut, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia chapters on a successful race.
We are excited to continue growing and expanding our presence at this event in the coming years.
