Race Report: Achilles 5M Hope and Possibility

On Sunday, I took part in the most inspiring race I know, Achilles' own annual 5 mile Hope and Possibility race in Central Park.

It was founded along with Trisha Meili, the Central Park Jogger, who was brutally attacked while jogging in Central Park in 1989.  She nearly died from her injuries, but battled back and even ran the NYC marathon in 1995.  She is now a motivational speaker and on the board of Achilles.  The race takes its name from her (fantastic) book, I Am The Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility, and attracts people with all kinds of disabilities.


The team I ran with was Team A Step Ahead from my prosthetics company.   We were a kicking crew of about 30 amputees, from 5 year olds to 50 year olds, and varying athletic abilities.

The race started at 9.00 am when it was already hot.  I was feeling good as I started out, and decided to give it my all and see how well I could do.

Hand-crankers at the start.  All photos by kind permission of Rachel Van de Voorde.

All round the course I was inspired by the runners with disabilities taking on the course with their own particular challenges.  Army veterans running on one, or two prosthetic legs.  Strange as it may sound, I've always felt somewhat 'lucky' that I was born with my disability, so I never had the shock of suddenly having to adjust to life without a limb - it's all I've ever known.    People with cerebral palsy in wheelchairs, some pushing themselves backwards.  Blind runners.  Autistic runners.  Also around me - people with traumatic brain injuries and the like - 'invisible' disabilities to others, but just as challenging.  

In evidence today:  people who refuse to be daunted by their challenges, are determined to overcome them; give it their best, and in so doing, regardless of their final time, bring out the very best in the human spirit.

Around mile 3 I finally found my stride, huffed and puffed up and down the hills on the West side of Central Park, and crossed the line with a thumping heart, final time 46.25.

After that, my favourite part of the race:  cheering in the rest of the runners over the finish line, mixing with Achilles athletes and volunteers and the A Step Ahead team, and even catching up with Dick Traum, the founder of Achilles; the man who started it all.   No better way to spend a Sunday morning.

With Dick Traum, founder of Achilles International