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Achilles Arkansas holds their weekly workouts and encourages the community to volunteer as running and walking guides to people with disabilities.

“The mission of Achilles is to transform the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connections,” said President of Achilles Arkansas Mary Dean.

It’s reported on their website that Achilles Arkansas is a chapter of Achilles International, a global nonprofit organization that is in 18 countries including the U.S. The organization was founded by Dick Traum, who was the first amputee to complete the New York City Marathon in 1983. Dean formed the Arkansas chapter in Fayetteville after having been a part of the New York chapter with Elise Wyatt, a University of Arkansas alum in 2019.

Achilles promotes running for all people of all abilities, which includes walking, rolling, and figuring out what adaptive sports equipment someone needs to be able to move, Dean said.

“We need some support and to be able to raise the funds to provide adaptive sports equipment and to just be present in the community at different events” Dean said. “We always welcome donations if you are interested in being involved that way.”

People who are looking to participate can register on Givepulse and sign the RSVP form. The workouts start at 9 a.m. every Saturday at Lake Fayetteville and end at 10 a.m.

“We’re really trying to get the word out to let people know that we’re a free group,” Dean said.  “We welcome anybody of all abilities to come out.”

Volunteers of any pace are encouraged participate in the workouts to guide the athletes.

“We really need some people of all different paces to come out and walk or jog,” Dean said.

Candy Lambert has been a volunteer with Achilles for 10 months as a walking guide to the athletes.

Lambert’s favorite part about going to the workouts is being with the athletes and being able to have conservations with them while she walks or jogs. Her most memorable moment with the organization was with Mary Borman, one of the athletes that she walks with.

Photo of Mary Borman

“About a month ago, I was planning to just walk and one of the athletes, Mary, said to me, ‘No you’re running with me.’ My mom ran with all three of her pregnancies, so she challenged me to run, and we just had a fun time,” Lambert said.