RESILIENCE RELAY FEATURED ATHLETE: IRWIN

Achilles Resilience Relay 2021

IRWIN RAMIREZ (Washington, D.C.)

Iriwn started running as an adolescent, but as he got older he developed a retinal condition that affected his life in so many ways and he found it hard to adjust socially and academically. As he continued to lose his vision, he stopped exercising, fell into poor health and experienced weight gain. He assumed that he would never run freely again.

While in college, he joined Achilles International’s New York Chapter and started doing 10K races and slowly started doing longer distances. In 2014, with the encouragement and support of his NYC Chapter guides he took the plunge and ran his first Half Marathon at the NYC Half. Later that year, he ran his first marathon. Since that time, he has dropped his best marathon time from just over five hours down to 3:20 at the recent Paralympic Qualifier marathon in Valley, Nebraska. Along the way, he’s had several triumphant finishes at the Boston Marathon as well.

When asked about why Achilles means so much to him, Irwin remarked, “Running for me means a different level of freedom and throughout the years it has helped me cope through adversities and Achilles International has enabled me to enjoy the sport. Achilles has made it all possible.”

Presently Irwin manages the Achilles chapter in the Metro DC area and continues to help others to break down barriers. He is thrilled to be carrying the baton at the Achilles Resilience Relay and plans to run the entire route in solidarity with his fellow chapter members.

Click here to support Irwin and the other athletes participating in the Achilles Resilience Relay.

Check out some of our other amazing athletes below:

Cesar Jimenez | Cedric King | Holly Koester | Warren Knight | Alison Lynch & Zoe Costanza

John Masson | Irwin Ramirez | Eric Strong | Mike Sprouse | Zach Stinson