Casey’s Challenge returns for fifth year on July 19

  • By Angela Workman
  • July 9, 2014
  • 404
                        
Summary: Casey’s Challenge will return to Alice Noble Ice Arena on July 19. The event features a 5K run/walk, wheelchair 5K, 2 mile run/walk, handcycle 5K, and a 1 mile fun run for kids. The event is hosted by the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio and raises funds for the athletes who participate in the programming. For the fifth year in a row, athletes with physical disabilities and able-bodied athletes will unite for Casey’s Challenge. The event works to introduce the community to adaptive sports and raise funds for the athletes. The event will take place on Saturday, July 19, at Alice Noble Ice Arena, 851 Oldman Rd., Wooster. Casey’s Challenge is hosted by the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO), which is a nonprofit organization that provides athletic opportunities to individuals with physical disabilities. The program was developed because of Casey Followay, who was born with spina bifida, a condition that left him paralyzed. His mother, Lisa Followay, wanted him to have the same sporting opportunities as his able-bodied peers. The event includes a 5K run/walk, wheelchair 5K, 2 mile run/walk, handcycle 5K and 1 mile fun run for kids 10 and under. Registration can be completed online at www.adaptivesportsohio.org/events/caseys-challenge. On race day, registration begins at 7 a.m. The fun run begins at 8 a.m., wheelchair racers and handcyclists begin at 8:25 a.m. and the ambulatory race for the 5K and 2 mile run begin at 8:35 a.m. Medals will be provided for the top three male and female 5K runners in the ambulatory, wheelchair and handcycle categories. Each category will feature awards according to age groups. Ambulatory includes ages 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. The wheelchair and handcycle categories includes ages 9 and under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18 and 19 and over. Trophies are awarded for the top overall male and female in the 5K run in the following categories: junior, 19 and under, adult, ages 20 and over, master’s, ages 40 and over, junior wheelchair, ages 0-18, adult wheelchair, 19 and over, junior handcycle, ages 0-18 and adult handcycle, ages 19 and over. The team challenge for 5K and 2 mile participants is a new addition to the event. Teams of co-workers, employees, families, friends and any combination participants can register as a team via mail or online. The team with the largest number of registered participants will receive the Wheel of Excellence, which can be displayed at a location of the team’s choice until Casey’s Challenge returns in 2015. Participants must have 5 or more members to register as a team. Each team will choose a name and is encouraged to dress alike on race day. “This event is great because it brings both athletes with and without disabilities together in a competitive event. I enjoy seeing how much the runners respect our athletes with disabilities,” said Lisa Followay, executive director of ASPO.


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