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OH!! What A Ride!
by Jimmy F. Roblyer, Oklahoma City Landrunners
The Oklahoma City Landrunners’ mission is to support health and fitness of all ages and abilities through recreational running.
The Landrunners’ latest community project, OH!! WHAT A RIDE!!!, is designed to give memorable athletic experiences to individuals who currently possess physical challenges by riding in the Landrunners’ modified racing wheelchair during a competitive running event.
The Williams Route 66 Half Marathon on November 20, 2011 was the debut run of this project. This was a cooperative effort with the Landrunners between Williams Route 66 Half Marathon, The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, and our rider, Todd Hesterlee of Tulsa, who has cerebral palsy.
Todd and the support group received cheers and friendly gestures throughout the course and Tulsans were very proud to see such a giving effort happening in their community. Our runner guiding the chair was Kevin Lynes, and the supporting runners were Cara Rogers, Randy Nance, and Jennifer Henry. Kevin was the 2010 winner of the prestigious Fisher D. Lewis Award and recently completed the Berlin Marathon. Cara and Randy ran the 2011 New York City Marathon, and Jennifer is an aggressive participant every week in her age group.
The group completed the half marathon course in 2:38:06. Todd was presented with a Landrunner sun visor and after a cool, windy ride was heard to shout loud and clear..... OH!! WHAT A RIDE!!!
Todd was not the only member of this group that enjoyed the run: Jennifer Henry commented, “From the very first mile, ‘Go Todd! Way to go Todd!’ could be heard from the crowd. But then as the race went on, as people passed, many would make comments, tapping Kevin on the back with a simple “good job,” or even ran alongside for a few blocks asking questions about “Oh What A Ride” and commenting on what a great cause it was! They all asked Todd if he was enjoying the ride to which he would yell “it’s awesome!”
Lori Long, Director of the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, added, “The comments heard were simple but powerful: “Oh cool” and “Wow! What an inspiration!” There was even a young lady who came up and asked if she could have her picture taken with Todd at the finish line. She was just truly inspired by him. That really meant a lot to Todd.”
Cara Rogers agreed that the run was a meaningful experience to all the participants. “Everyone was yelling ‘Go Todd’ and he was giving them the ‘thumbs up’ sign. Jennifer would run ahead and get lots of pictures and post them on Facebook while we were running. This is such a great opportunity to be involved in something so special and to promote a lifestyle that leads to a greater quality of life for the participants.”
Projected rides for the 2012 season are: Edmond Frigid Five, Panera Beacon Run, Red Bud Classic, A2A Half Marathon, OKC Memorial Half Marathon, Race for Hope 12K and other events to be selected at a later date.
The OKC Landrunner Club is receptive to hear from potential riders (no cost) and you may respond to the Landrunners via jfroblyer@yahoo.com.
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