Runners World, 1977, feature article image, One Leg Does All the Work



“Mr. Traum says it makes no difference whether his charges run the marathon in five hours or 10, explaining that the 26-mile ordeal is a splendid metaphor for coming back from the loss of a leg. He likens just finishing it to the Cowardly Lion's medal in the Wizard of Oz. The medal gave him courage.”


— The New York Times, June 3, 1989


*Image at left is a scan of January 1977, Runner's World feature

 

Dear Achilles supporter,


Fifty years ago, the streets of New York City looked very different on marathon day. There were no towering grandstands, no roaring crowds of millions lining every mile and no sea of Achilles neon yellow.


Among the few thousand runners setting out across the five boroughs for the very first time was our late founder Dick Traum, taking on 26.2 miles with a prosthetic leg, not knowing how many lives his journey would one day impact.


Seven hours and 24 minutes later, on a rainy, obstacle-laden course that included a staircase, he triumphantly crossed the finish line in Central Park.


This past Sunday that legacy was on full display at the TCS New York City Marathon. More than 500 Achilles athletes, guides and charity runners were part of a celebration that Dick Traum could scarcely have imagined in 1976.


Behind every finish line is a story, a first workout, a volunteer's smile, a community that made someone feel they belonged.


Through our Milestones campaign, we're celebrating 50 years of achievements while raising $262,000 to help create the next generation of milestones.


Your gift helps provide free adaptive athletic programs, equipment, volunteer guides and race opportunities for athletes with disabilities.


Sincerely,

 

Emily Glasser, President and CEO

Group photo of Achilles athletes at NYCM Shakeout run in Central Park cheering
Alan Kaufman walking with crutches

Achilles Queens Milestones


"Although I finished fourth from last, crossing that [2018 TCS New York City Marathon] finish line felt like a victory unlike any other. Waiting for me at the finish was the Achilles community, cheering me on and celebrating the moment with me. It remains one of the top 10 moments of my life."


— Alan Kaufman, Queens Athlete


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Group photo of Achilles Phoenix

Achilles Phoenix Milestones


"The more we're out in the community, the more people see us. The more people see us, the more we grow. Every new person who sees Achilles at a race or workout is another person who might discover an opportunity they didn't know existed."


— Fai Mo, Chapter Lead, Greater Phoenix


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In Loving Memory


Domenic Romano, Achilles NYC Adaptive Cycling Manager, brought countless people to the start line, sharing with them the gift of a community that had transformed his own life. Whether helping someone take their first spin or reach a new milestone, he made every athlete feel unstoppable and special. We mourn the loss of our colleague, friend and teammate and will carry his legacy forward. A true leader and champion of adaptive sports, Dom didn't just help athletes cross finish lines. He opened doors to possibilities they may never have imagined.


 
 

Achilles International | www.achillesinternational.org

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