The distinct whirring of wheels could be heard as fourteen KPF teams took to Roswell’s Riverside Park pathway Sunday, participating in a virtual New York City Marathon. Of those, two teams had been selected for the NYC Marathon, but due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person marathon was cancelled. Regardless, KPF wanted to salute their accomplishment and organized this celebration.
The two in-chair athletes who were bound for New York, Bentley-Grace Hicks and Kyleigh Kramlich, completed the 26.2 miles supported by their teams led by Fred Soller and Scott Stafford respectively. With a staggered start, other KPF teams joined in on the fun and wheeled, ran, and cranked varying routes around Riverside for sixty minutes.
“We were able to do things on our time, in the way that made sense for us,” said Chris Johnson, KPF board member and volunteer. “(It) felt like it was ‘our race’.”
Teams treaded the serpentine blended asphalt-packed-gravel trail safely in a non-competitive, open environment where they were able to cruise at their own speed. Further ensuring protection from Covid-19, other precautions, including temperature checks, mandatory masks and hand sanitizers, were taken. “Everyone was respectful of other people’s space,” added Krystle Andrews, a KPF volunteer.
Long-time KPF push-assist volunteer Alicia Harrington, and Chief Inspiration Officer, Kyle Pease, dressed up in costumes portraying Lady Liberty and a Georgia Peach - the logo featured on Kpeasey’s race t-shirt and social media posts that promoted the event. The red, white, and blue balloon arch, swaying in the crisp morning breeze, marked the start/finish and was a festive touch which added to the positive energy and fun atmosphere.
Athlete, Kyleigh Kramlich, expressed what we all were thinking, "I was so happy to see old friends."
Though the race is over, the battle against COVID-19 is ongoing. "The in-person event allowed me time to reflect on how difficult the pandemic has been for many of the athletes,” says volunteer Jill Cannoy. “The athlete I was able to run with was very encouraging and thankful. He continued to state how great it was to return to racing and spend time with other athletes – even while social distancing.”
It is obvious that the lingering pandemic has affected everyone. Despite the fact that not everyone has physically fallen ill, the Corona virus has inhibited aspects of our lives that keep us together. It’s important to remember that if we all do our part, it will not last forever, and our two marathon teams will be running through the five boroughs of Manhattan in-person in 2021.