Run, Walk, and Roll Marathon

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Tempe, ARIZ -- The morning sun couldn’t rise quickly enough on the brisk Arizona morning. Athletes and vendors huddled together, ran in place, or consumed copious warm beverages in preparation for the 1st Annual Run, Walk and Roll Marathon at Tempe Town Lake.

SPORTS `N SPOKES was on hand in anticipation of an eventful day of racing as more than 300 athletes gathered for the 5K/10K run around Tempe Town Lake. The event was sponsored by Arizona Disabled Sports, (AzDS), whose primary mission is to provide a wide variety of sports and recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. “We wanted to create something for friends and families of all abilities,” says Lane Jeppesen, event organizer. “The running community is vast in the valley, and here we are able to introduce able-bodied runners to a whole other community of athletes.”

T-minus five minutes, and the wheelchair athletes assembled at the starting line, “rolling” in place as they chose a prime starting position. Guest speaker Ali Vincent, winner of NBC’s Biggest Loser and local Arizonian, joined the wheelchair athletes and went on to run with the able-bodied runners, giving her a total of 20/K--10/K on bike, and 10/K on foot. The Phoenix Suns basketball mascot, The Gorilla, was also on hand to cheer the athletes to victory.

With a muted “pop” from the starting gun and a slight whiff of gunpowder, the athletes quickly vanish down the main stretch of the course. Grim-faced and forbidding, they jockey for lead position. The group, pacing in rhythm, races the ticking clock. They chase through the streets of Tempe, then flow through the first leg of the race with Erik Hightower clearly leading the pack. Quickly following are, Jm Byberg, and Mike Tagliapietra. They seem oblivious to the humming crowd of spectators as they catch their pulse and purposeful stride.

The time clock clicked off the seconds, and the wide-eyed crowd pushed in closer around the finish line to get a glimpse of the quickly approaching racers; the Arizona sun now in full rise. Out of the distance they slowly appeared; their focus sharp. It is a race to the end. Hightower was leading the pack with Ryberg closing quick. Leaning full-forward, Hightower crossed at (33:08), followed by Ryberg (33:46) and Tagliapietra (40:21).

SPORTS `N SPOKES caught up with the winner for a little post-race one-to-one:

S`NS: What did you think about your finish, Erik?

Hightower: This was my first race in 6 months. I think I did all right.

S`NS: How was the course, and what do you think about the turnout today?

Hightower: I think the course was pretty good. There were a few parts where we were forced into a single-file formation as well as some tight turns not suited for wheelchair racers, but overall it was a great race. I was happy to see so many runners and fans. It was an excellent turnout for a first annual event.”

S`NS: What’s next for you?

Hightower: I’m training right now for the 2012 Paralympics in London as well as the World Cup in New Zealand.

For complete race results visit: http://raceplaceevents.com

For more information or to see if you can volunteer visit Arizona Disabled Sports:

http://mesadisabledsports.com

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