Over 5,000 Celebrate Disability Inclusion and Honor Achilles’ Late Founder at Hope & Possibility® 4M Presented by TD Bank
Athletes with and without disabilities found hope at the finish line on June 23 in Central Park. Over 5,000 racers completed the 22nd annual Achilles Hope & Possibility® 4M Presented by TD Bank with our partner New York Road Runners (NYRR).
This year’s race celebrated Dick Traum, late founder of Achilles International who passed away in January, in a variety of ways. A special commemorative bib featured his picture while the start line ceremony included a moment of silence and recognition for his efforts to break down barriers to the start line for athletes with disabilities. His granddaughter Bella Traum, kicked off the field of handcyclists and racing wheelchairs.
“To really see how many people are here today, Dick and I started this race in 2003 and there were 700 participants. Today, over 8,000 registered. We are all coming together whatever our abilities are and we are running together. That’s the spirit of Achilles,” said Trisha Meili, Achilles International founding board member, race co-founder and best selling author of “I Am The Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility.”
“In 1983, [Dick Traum] asked some friends to go for a run with him. Today on the course, you will pass by that very spot at Engineer’s Gate where the Achilles Track Club, now known as Achilles International was first formed. Look at what that first simple invitation, to just go for a run, walk or roll together, started. Oftentimes we don’t even realize how what we do can give someone else hope. Dick doing what he loved, gave us hope and I’m grateful to all of you today who are now part of that legacy,” said Emily Glasser, President and CEO, Achilles International.
The national anthem was sung by blind singers from The Filomen M D’Agostino Greenberg Music School, including 18-year-old Maya Graves who ran her first race after her performance. Ralph Bumbaca, Regional Vice President, TD Bank, kicked off the field of racers and shared his excitement for partnering on the race.
In addition to a special commemorative mile marker sign on the course, other inclusive elements of the race included an awards ceremony celebrating top finishers in athletes with disability categories and adaptive athlete icons and braille imagery on the singlets. The bibs also featured braille stickers of the words “Hope and Possibility” created by a local blind Achilles athlete and business owner. The commemorative finisher medals of the word “Hope” included braille for the words and a quote Dick Traum was known for telling his athletes, “You did it!”
Achilles athletes from NYC, Boston, Washington D.C., Connecticut, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Long Island, Mexico and Ottawa participated in the race in person, while athletes around the world dedicated miles virtually. John “JP” Pierre, a Queens athlete who lives with a traumatic brain injury, lived up to his “The Ultimate Running Machine” nickname having completed his 100th NYRR race.
Celebrities showed their support for the cause. Comedian Jon Stewart continued his annual tradition of completing the race alongside the military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team. The four mile distance was not enough as he joined them in pushups at each mile and at the finish line.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Achilles Freedom Team, pre race dinners for race weekend were hosted by TD Bank with special goodie bags and the GM Military Appreciation Program. Several military veterans and their families traveled from National Military Medical Center to participate in the race for the first time.
Achilles Advisory Board member and former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber made one athlete's “dream come true.” Katy Sanchez, an Achilles New Jersey athlete who lives with a cognitive disability and hearing impairment, was thrilled to find out that her football hero would be her guide for the race.
“Running in, and especially guiding another runner, for Achilles is one of the most fulfilling athletic endeavors that I’ve ever done. Too often in life, we’re told that we ‘can’t’ but Achilles’ race proves that you can not only do whatever you set your mind to accomplishing, but also thrive in face of challenge,” said Tiki Barber.
“Hope,” Katy said upon completing the race and receiving her medal. “Always have hope!”
We thank our presenting sponsor TD Bank for their dedication to advancing our mission.
