2020 Athlete & Volunteer Celebration

For it is in giving that we receive --- St. Francis

Alicia Harrington, a volunteer since 2013, was on the panel of guest speakers for KPF’s Athlete Celebration on Sunday. In her emotional speech that brought tears to eyes, Harrington precisely acknowledged the sentiment behind KPF’s volunteer family. 

Even in a pandemic, we are still marching forward as over 50 attendees Zoom’d in to this event. Although it did not take place in person, it was just as memorable, highlighting the individual and collective successes of our athletes. 

Moderator Shawna Block Gray, KPF’s Development, Etc. Director, kicked off the night with introductions turning it over to Kyle and Brent to recap an unprecedented year.

After starting the 2020 race season in March with an exceptionally large and successful Publix Atlanta Half Marathon, the remainder of the year derailed when COVID hit. However, thanks to KPF’s ability to pivot, athletes and volunteers continued to be engaged in unique ways. New programs were established to assist KPF families, races went virtual, webinars and videos were created to keep everyone connected – social media was our community platform.

Crowning KPF’s annual athlete celebration are the award presentations. 

Despite the absence of in-person races, crank athlete, Jessica Minton, trained and competed in multiple virtual marathons throughout the pandemic. Her grit and tenacity earned her The Lucye Caplan Memorial Broken Wheel Award. Presented by Jeff Caplan, a former KPF board member, the $1,000 endowment is in honor of his late wife, Lucye, in remembrance of her courage and fortitude.

Ryan Whitley, a long-time athlete with KPF, received the first annual Bethany Rutledge Courage award. This monetary award will help purchase a wheelchair to assist in his travels to and from racing events and around town. Bethany Rutledge was a triathlete and KPF volunteer who always participated in the John Tanner Tri the Parks with Ryan. 

After Bethany’s sudden passing in 2019, her husband, John, also a triathlete and former KPF board member, created this award to help deserving KPF families with their needs.

The Jake Vinson Family Grant was founded in 2015 in memory of KPF’s first athlete. To raise money to fund the grant, Jake’s parents, Scott and Amy, host a memorial golf tournament each fall. One hundred percent of all proceeds is put towards helping athletes while keeping Jake’s legacy alive.

This year’s winner was Dontavious Ridley. Kyle and Dontavious met in 2015 during one of Kyle’s forays through Atlanta, and Dontavious has been an athlete with KPF since. His request for an accessible van is now a reality. In addition, during the Zoom event, an anonymous donor was so moved by the outpouring of support, that they offered to pay the first year’s insurance on the van.

KPF is deeply grateful for all our athletes and volunteers, and as we look back on 2020, it won’t be the difficulties we remember, but the unity we felt. 

Written by Kevin Enners, KPF’s Project Manager of Engagement

KPF Teams Participate in Virtual NYC Marathon

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.

A Laid-Back Ride ... Rediscovering the Freedom of Cycling

I remember a time when cycling was just that, cycling. My dad and I would go and just ride for the sake of riding. It didn’t matter how long it took or how far we went. We’d simply pedal our bikes. This was freedom. This is how I fell in love with cycling. 

Recently, on a cool fall morning in October, a small but dedicated contingent of KPF bike athletes and their cycling partners hit the Silver Comet Trail taking part in a virtual event, Spin for Kids, to support Camp Twin Lakes. Meeting in the dark parking lot before dawn, we were pumped. This was not a competition; this was a ride. This was not hurry up and move out; this was a socially distanced, shoot the breeze, easy-peasey event. 

That said, we are athletes, so each of us had a purposeful plan. Our mileage goals ranged from 15 to 62 miles and everything in between. 

After group pictures, during which we blocked a portion of the trail and made other cyclists go around us -- sorry, not sorry -- we pedaled off. Five athletes, 8 volunteers and yours truly in charge. What could go wrong?

Actually, nothing. 

Nick Gleissner with his partner Chris Johnson and Cecil Williams with his partner David Burgos set their sights on and completed 62 miles! Jessica Minton had a marathon goal in mind with her partners Jessica Wilson and Gary Whitehead-Nudd and wound up going beyond the 26.2 to over 27 miles. Cougar Clifford, Brent Pease and Shawna Block Gray successfully targeted 15 miles. My dad, Rich Enners, and I focused on 15 miles, but it was such a great relief to be off my trainer and outside, we completed 20 miles.

Nick, a Paralympic hopeful who recently moved to Georgia and new to the foundation, wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and I was nervous that this ride may not have been the type of riding he was looking for. In the end, Nick shared, “Chris was a good match for me and that made for an excellent experience. I had an excellent ride and was able to meet some pretty cool people.”

It was Cecil’s first time on the Silver Comet Trail. Hauling his Catrike from Chattanooga, Tennessee, he said participating in a Kpeasey event and seeing his friends is always worth the hike. “It was fun and it was wide enough to maneuver along the trail. The scenery was beautiful.”

Jessica, a long-time KPF athlete and avid hand cyclist, cranked out nearly 28 miles in a little over two hours. “I thoroughly enjoyed this ride,” she said enthusiastically. “I loved the smaller group!”  

This was an experiment of sorts -- without the structure of a racing environment, would riding be more enjoyable? I think the answer is yes. Instead of a hurry-up-and-wait competitive situation, nonrace experiences can rekindle the spark that started the fire in everyone’s bellies. You can take time to enjoy the present, to feed your soul and, as Jessica suggested, even grab a bite to eat. 

KPeasey Keeps Racing in a Virtual World

Hello KPeasey Nation!  We hope that you are well and continuing to stay safe as we kick off Fall and remain distant socially.  We have a whole bunch of amazing things happening in 2020, so let’s dive right in.  

On November 1st, we are celebrating our 2020 NYC Marathon Athletes and Teams. KPeasey Athletes, Bentley-Grace and Kyleigh, won’t be able to wheel the streets of New York City this year.  So, we are going to bring New York to them right here in Atlanta.  Fred Soller and Scott Stafford have put together two amazing teams that will push Bentley-Grace and Kyleigh the same distance as the NYC Marathon, which was cancelled for 2020.  

We are so excited to celebrate them and their amazing accomplishments.  “How” you might ask… stay tuned to Walking with KPeasey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to learn more! 

If you have not done so already, sign up online to participate in KPeasey’s Fall Virtual Marathon!  Between now and November 1st, sign up and run the distance of a marathon (or really any distance) to show support for The Kyle Pease Foundation and Inclusion.  All participants will be able to submit their times and help us show the world how strong our reach is for KPeasey Nation. Learn more and sign up www.kylepeasefoundation.org/events/fall2020

And guess what… The Peachtree Road Race is VIRTUAL!  To some this may seem like just another virtual race, but to our push assist athletes this is their change to participate regardless of qualification status or location.  Learn more at www.kylepeasefoundation.org/events/2020/virtualprr. Although it will be a different experience for all of us this year, it will be just as exciting to see inclusion at its finest as we continue to show the world what is possible.  

These times have been very difficult for all of us because we can’t be together.  But that doesn’t mean that we can’t be together virtually and feel the love for one another. We can show the world determination that we are capable of as a community.  KPeasey Nation, let’s focus on the can do’s!  

Together We Wheel, 
Kyle Pease 

A few other key dates coming up…

2020 Athlete and Volunteer Celebration (Virtual Event)
Sunday, November 8, 2020 - 5:00 - 6:00 PM EST
Learn More - www.kylepeasefoundation.org/events/2020celebration

For a Full List of Upcoming Events, Click Here

Stuck in a Cycle with My Cycle

By Kevin Enners ~ KPF Engagement Manager

Wake up, train, sleep, repeat.

This is what my cycling life has come to – except for the occasional weekend ride on Columns Drive – as in-person races for 2020 have been canceled because… You know.  Like a hamster on his wheel, I literally spin my wheel while watching a cycling training video day after day.

I wake up, I train, I sleep, I repeat.

The sport I fell in love with nearly two decades ago has become something more mentally therapeutic than a goal-oriented race. After a mentally challenging day, a spin on the trainer is just what I need. It’s more stimulating than Seinfeld reruns and the high from endorphins enough for Cheech and Chong to trade in “the smoke.”

But, as a goal-driven, competitive (almost wanting to beat everyone on wheels) athlete, I must admit that I am getting a bit restless. My mind starts spinning faster than my wheels with lyrics to the Smashmouth soundtrack: What’s the use in trying? All you get is pain.

Since there are no races, how do I know if I am improving? Am I just going through the motions, trapped in this endless Groundhog-day-like time warp? 

I wake up, I train, I sleep, I repeat.

Here’s the bright side: Without focusing on races, I am able to see “the big picture” and reorient my goals. Virtually boundless, I can go for longer rides without worrying that I’m going to blow up before a race. I can do a marathon on my indoor trainer (which I did in April) and I am planning on doing other virtual challenges (preferably outdoors) this fall.

Like Bill Murray’s efforts to break out of “Groundhog Day” purgatory, my participation in these challenges break up the “wake up, train, sleep, repeat” monotony.  

Indeed, this has been an unbelievable year for all of us, but it will end, and the cycle will be broken sooner or later when we resume racing and wheel together again!