We Pounded the Pavement TOGETHER
On Saturday, March 26, 2022, The Kyle Pease Foundation had the pleasure to wheel together at this year's Pound the Pavement for Peter. Over 800 registrants joined us at Capital City Club for race day activities and the family fun run. The energy at this year’s race day was epic after not being able to gather together in three years.
On Saturday, March 26, 2022, The Kyle Pease Foundation had the pleasure to wheel together at this year's Pound the Pavement for Peter. Over 800 registrants joined us at Capital City Club for race day activities and the family fun run. The energy at this year’s race day was epic after not being able to gather together in three years.
We loved being back together with our friends and all of the families that support Pound the Pavement for Peter. This year was the first time the race created a designated division for us and our friends from ESP (Extra Special People). We loved starting the race off with almost 50 participants in the In-Chair and Special Assist Division.
We were most excited about seeing our friends from ESP again for the first time since we ran the Publix Half Marathon in 2020. Due to COVID-19, we have not been able to race together or further our partnership with this amazing organization. Reuniting at Pound the Pavement for Peter, was the kickstart, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us together.
A huge thanks to everyone with Pound the Pavement for Peter for taking such great care of us and our families. We can’t wait to wheel together again soon!
About Extra Special People (ESP):
Extra Special People, Inc. (ESP) was founded in 1986 in Watkinsville, Georgia to create a community of support for individuals of all abilities. Our founder, Martha Wyllie, noticed an unequal amount of opportunities for children with disabilities, beginning ESP as one week of summer camp for only 21 participants. Since our humble beginning, we have grown to now serve over 500 participants from over 30 counties in Georgia through 8 weeks of summer camp, annual after school enrichment programs, and ongoing family support.
ESP serves participants beginning at birth and with no upper age limit, welcoming participants with diagnoses of Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spina Bifida, and many more. Here at ESP, participants are never turned away because of their ability. Our specialized programs enable our participants to thrive with swimming, dancing, arts and crafts and cooking; family support, retreats, dinners, counseling, and holiday events.
To learn more, please visit espyouandme.org/about-us.
Igniting and Nourishing Change for Good - Buffalo Wild Wings and The Kyle Pease Foundation
Through their own foundation, Buffalo Wild Wings funds local communities so that people have access to facilities, equipment, transportation and staff for youth sports teams.
Greg Smith, Brent Pease, Lyle Tick, Kyle Pease at Inspire Brands Headquarters.
Fun get-togethers filled with camaraderie and deliciousness – images that pop into mind when thinking of chicken wings. Wings are comfort for the soul and catalysts for connecting people, which is why Buffalo Wild Wings, a sponsor of KPF, has a special interest in this nonprofit’s vision for creating opportunities of inclusion for every person with a disability.
Through their own foundation, Buffalo Wild Wings funds local communities so that people have access to facilities, equipment, transportation and staff for youth sports teams.
“The BWW foundation has focused on this issue of access for several years,” says Catherine Strawberg, Community Impact Manager for Inspire Brands Inc. “KPF is making sure that those who normally don’t get access to sports, get access.”
Greg Smith, KPF board member and push athlete, informed the president of Buffalo Wild Wings, Lyle Tick, about KPF along with Brent and Kyle’s goal of completing The Ironman World Championship. Piquing Tick’s interest, the completion of Kona was not only a dream fulfilled by the Pease brothers, but also the inciting incident that catapulted BWW’s partnership with KPF, symbolized by the BWW hat Brent wore as Team Pease toed the triathlon’s finish line.
Brent and Kyle Pease crossed the finish line in Kona, HI at the IRONMAN World Championships in 2018 wearing a Buffalo Wild Wings hat in support of our partnership.
“After that, I met with Kyle and Brent, and discussed how we could support their organization and their mission.” Tick says the Pease Brothers’ remarkable story, determination and goal was galvanizing.
“Buffalo Wild Wings believes deeply in the power of sports to both inspire and bring people together, which I think also lines up really well with KPF,” Tick states. “Plus, they are great fun, and enjoy wings and a beer.”
Initial BWW donations helped fund the publishing of Beyond the Finish, Kyle and Brent’s autobiography. Since then, BWW’s partnership and commitment have allowed KPF to successfully continue expanding opportunities for its athletes.
“We love the work that KPF does,” Strawberg says. With Community, Camaraderie, Sportsmanship, and Funas overlapping values, the partnership between KPF and BWW will be a win-win for years to come.
Greg Smith and Brent Pease enjoying Buffalo Wild Wings at home after a day of racing with The Kyle Pease Foundation Race Team.
Blog written by Kevin Enners
In My Wheels - Kyle Pease and Publix 2022
The Kyle Pease Foundation Staff Member, Kevin Enners, has launched a vlog series!
Miles for Bethany 2021
On November 13, 2021 we'll gathered to celebrate her life, to support the causes she loved, to challenge ourselves to be our best, and to cheer each other on.
"If you ever did a triathlon in the Atlanta area than you probably knew Bethany. She was always at the races, always quick to lend a smile and was always willing to help an athlete across the line.
We are so very fortunate that she was able to support and honor The Kyle Pease Foundation athletes and we are very proud to be able to continue to honor her legacy each year. Showing up to share with our community, with all who knew her is a small part for us and one we are proud to be able to do.
We look forward to many more miles to come!"
~ Brent Pease
On August 3, 2019 the world lost a beautiful soul. Bethany was a devoted mother & wife, a beloved daughter & sister, a trustworthy friend, a motivating coach, gifted competitor, and an inspiring role model.
On November 13, 2021 we'll gathered to celebrate her life, to support the causes she loved, to challenge ourselves to be our best, and to cheer each other on.
Push Assist Overall Winners:
1st - Bentley-Grace Hicks
2nd - Sherry Adams
3rd - Tallie Lyons
Full List of Push Assist Winners
Hand Crank Overall Winners:
1st - Cougar Clifford
2nd - Emanuel McFarland
Catrike Overall Winners:
1st - Cecil Williams
Partner Spotlight - Wahoo Fitness
Initially, Wahoo was introduced to The Kyle Pease Foundation through its CFO, JP Matzigkeit. He then introduced Brent and Kyle to Content Director Matt Porter, who collaborated with them on a video shoot. Since then, a number of Wahoo employees have stepped up to participate in races as push-assist athletes, including Katie Dupree.
What’s in a name? Per dictionary.com, names are simple arbitrary labels. In a soliloquy by William Shakespeare used in Romeo & Juliet, Juliet laments Romeo’s last name, Montague – the name of her father’s sworn enemy:
“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
Wahoo Fitness, a sponsor of KPF, was named after Wahoo Creek, a tributary to the lake located just north of metro-Atlanta where prior to Wahoo, Founder and Chairman of the Board Chip Hawkins owned Wahoo Boat Docks. Having earned a master’s degree in engineering and self-proclaimed tinkerer, Hawkins tried a list of names, but the one that stuck was Wahoo.
An engineer, serial entrepreneur and self-described “struggling age group athlete”, Chip made it his mission (and eventually a passion) to make technology to help athletes at all levels train better. A triathlete, himself, he knew what athletes wanted. As an engineer, he knew where prior fitness technology fell short. As an entrepreneur, his goal was to create innovative products that provided what athletes needed to be able to train and perform better.
On his technological mission, Hawkins created several products that have helped Wahoo become a leader in the fitness equipment space.
Wahoo's impressive portfolio of cycling industry products includes the KICKR family of indoor trainers and accessories, the ELEMNT family of GPS bike computers, activity-tracking sport watches, the TICKR family of heartrate monitors, the SPEEDPLAY Advanced Road Pedals and the Wahoo Sufferfest Training App. Philanthropically, Wahoo is one of KPF’s core backers.
Initially, Wahoo was introduced to The Kyle Pease Foundation through its CFO, JP Matzigkeit. He then introduced Brent and Kyle to Content Director Matt Porter, who collaborated with them on a video shoot. Since then, a number of Wahoo employees have stepped up to participate in races as push-assist athletes, including Katie Dupree.
Dupree is now the product manager for sensors and pedals. She met Brent Pease through the triathlete-training group All 3 Sports during the affectionately titled “Thighs Out Thursday” group runs. Prior to starting her career as a Wahooligan, Dupree volunteered to escort an in-chair athlete with KPF in a particularly tough Publix Half-marathon in 2014.
“My first KPF event was on a cold and rainy day,” she remembers. Yet, invested in KPF’s mission, Katie still participates in its long list of endurance events, ready for whatever. Four years into her volunteer work, Katie was hired by Wahoo.
“Mike Ragan convinced me to volunteer for the swim portion of the John Tanner Triathlon. After that, I knew I wanted more and joined the KPF Tri Team. I’m looking forward to going back to John Tanner in September and completing a full triathlon with the foundation.”
Technical Support Representative Mike Ragan began working as a push-assist athlete in 2014. He soon started pushing in short races with KPF over the summer. Then, he ran his first ever marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in October of the same year.
Mike is a man of many talents, funny and a pleaser. At one point in the 26-mile-long race, seeing his in-chair athlete in distress, Ragan started singing Old McDonald. He would continue singing until the moment they crossed the finish line.
“Since then, I’ve done three marathons and countless other races and social runs,” Mike states. “Since 2016, I’ve been helping to coach volunteers and serving as an event coordinator for the Foundation’s races and events. While I don’t race as frequently anymore, I have a great time helping others get involved.”
Matt Porter, Content Developer for Wahoo, heard about the Pease brothers from his coworkers who found their story and their mission inspiring. He has worked with the brothers to create videos, diving into their story and continues promoting their vision.
“My wife is the runner in the family and has pushed for KPF in multiple half marathons,” says Porter. “The mission to make endurance sports approachable for all regardless of physical ability is close to our hearts.”
So, why are they called Wahoo Fitness? Because, at Wahoo, they value fun, hard work and determination, always putting their customers first and ready to help others.
“We truly love and believe in the work we’re doing for endurance athletes,” says Katie. “Most of us are competitive athletes and have our own goals to grow in sport and our careers, we get to blur that line every day in work and training.”
###