Marathon season has begun, with several Achilles athletes competing in the Montreal Marathon.  Upcoming races will be held in Chicago, Washington, DC, and, of course, New York.  We anticipate that over three hundred Achilles members from at least fifty countries and one hundred locations will compete in the ING NYC Marathon on November 1.
 
Our New York City Chapter meets twice a week in Central Park.  This fall chapter members will compete in the Fifth Avenue Mile, the Terry Fox Race, the twenty-mile long NYRR Training Run, the Race for Rehab in Westchester, and Grete’s Gallop – a half marathon.  Achilles Kids is in 142 public schools providing athletic opportunities for children with disabilities.  The children also meet for weekend workouts and races.  Our Freedom Team has grown to more than 300 athletes.  Achilles travels to Walter Reed for regular training sessions and the veterans compete in mainstream races throughout the country.
 
In October, we will have a wheelchair basketball tournament at Manhattan College and the Horace Mann School.  A dozen Achilles members will compete in a Kayak Marathon around Manhattan. Our Triathlon Team has made quite an impact, competing in high profile races throughout the tri-state area.   There are active Achilles chapters at Beth Israel and at the Rusk Institute, serving people with diabetes and Traumatic Brain Injuries.

As you can see, Achilles is growing in many ways, but increased funding is necessary to help us continue and expand our important work.  This is the first time I have ever launched an online appeal because our needs are immediate.  I hope you will join us and take advantage of the matching offer to keep our programs strong.  Please share with page with friends and family members who might be interested in supporting our mission.  Thank you for your support and friendship.

Dick Traum
President  & Founder
Achilles International