IMPORTANT NEWS!
CHICAGO MARATHON CLOSED? NOT if you want to run for the Achilles FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Veterans! The fundraising minimum is just $1500. Run one of the greatest races in the U.S.A. and fundraise to help a wounded veteran compete too. Register NOW! Please contact Janet Patton for more information.

About Us
The Achilles FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Veterans introduces recently wounded soldiers from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to running.  Founded in early 2004 by Achilles VP Mary Bryant, the program provides motivation, training, and the opportunity to rebuild strength and endurance while healing through distance running events. Their rehabilitation is enhanced through physical activity, goal setting, and personal achievement alongside Achilles athletes who are peer mentors.  This integration is important in easing their return to their communities, where rather than being ‘victims' they are now role models.  Their courage and inspiration already helps millions through national, regional, and local media coverage of their challenges and victories.

“ I'm doing more now than I ever did before getting injured.  A lot of it is because of organizations like Achilles.  I want to show that I can still get out there and do things.”

1 st Lt. Melissa Stockwell, first female amputee back from Iraq
Army News Service

What We Do
Many begin by using handcrank wheelchairs which Achilles provides through our Endow-A-Chair program. They are made available at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, Balboa Naval Center in San Diego , CA , Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, and at our headquarters in New York City.  This allows early access to sports programs for someone who recently felt their life was over due to a disability. Some are now running marathons on their prosthetics.

In our first year, 34 team members participated in their first race, the HOPE & POSSIBILITY 5-MILER . Sixteen of them returned for the ING New York City Marathon, a 26.2 mile challenge, and everyone finished!  Since that time, the FREEDOM TEAM roster has grown to over 240 wounded veterans, with participation in the race events doubling each year. With the help of Assistant Director, Genna Griffith, the FREEDOM TEAM program continues to expand in events, locations, and disabilites. 

The Freedom Team will be participating in the following marathons and races in 2009:

Jan 25: ING Miami Marathon (for local Achilles athletes)*
Feb 22: A1A Marathon
Apr 20: Boston Marathon
May 25: LA Marathon
May 31: San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon
Jun 28: NYC Hope & Possibility 5M in Central Park
Sep 13: Montreal Marathon
Oct 11: Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Oct 25: Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC
Nov 1: ING NYC Marathon
Nov 15: Rock 'n Roll San Antonio Marathon
Dec 6: Marathon of the Palm Beaches
Dec 6: Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Marathon

Calling all Non-Achilles Members: Special Offer! Register now for the 2009 Chicago Marathon as a Guaranteed Entrant and we will cover your registration fee. The fundraising minimum is $1500, but if you register before the official close in a few weeks, we will knock that minimum down to $1375. Register NOW before this offer changes! Please contact Janet Patton for more information.

*Check out the results of a successful race season for Achilles in South Florida!

For questions regarding registrations and logistics - contact Genna Griffith: GGriffith@achillestrackclub.org

For questions regarding the sponsoring of a wounded vets participation, or endowing a handcrank wheelchair - contact Mary Bryant MBryant@achillestrackclub.org

Freedom Team on the Web
Freedom Team at the Boston Marathon

Freedom Team at the Knoxville Marathon

Injuries Don't Stand in a Soldier's Way

Fox News "Real American Stories" video about Mary Bryant

Vet Amputees to Run in the Marathon

Marathon Bound Veterans Get Tee-Time at Trump

Wounded Veterans Competing in the Marathon of the Palm Beaches Refust to Slow Down

Wounded Navy Corpsman Trades Alcohol, Pills, for Marathon

Veterans Honor Fallen Soldier with Marathon Rides

Injured Iraq War Veteran on Running the Marine Corps Marathon

Handcyclists Ready For Chicago Marathon

Wounded Veterans Ready to Go the Distance in Chicago Marathon

2008 Paralympic Games: Melissa Stockwell, Iraq War Veteran, Elected to be Flag-Bearer for Closing Ceremonies

NYC Stories Features: The Stories

Click here: Luna Lee Photography Great website! Click on ASSIGNMENT DESK > Freedom Team for an inspirational account and wonderful photos. Share the link!

Palm Beach Post: Marathon of the Palm Beaches Achilles Events

Click here: Marine Corps News> Marathons help wounded warriors through recovery

Thanks to our Sponsors
Our program is sponsored in part by ReMIND.org.

Achilles is also grateful to our other major supporters;Disabled American Veterans Charitable Trust Foundation, AVIS, InTech, U-Haul, SSMA Club, The Union League Club, George Cloutier of Amserve, Lois Pope of the LIFE Foundation, Military Order of the Purple Hearts, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, The Kessler Family Foundation, Donald J. Trump Foundation and all those who make this program possible.

Special thanks to Suffolk Construction, which has taken lead sponsorship in Palm Beach to help the Achilles FREEDOM TEAM and the Achilles South Florida Chapter!

Contact Us
Achilles FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Veterans
ATTN:     Mary Bryant Founder / Director
               Achilles Vice President
               42 West 38th Street, 4th Floor 
               New York, NY 10018 
               212-354-0300
mbryant@achillestrackclub.org

Get Involved!
If you would like to become a member, make a donation, endow-a-chair, get your corporation/organization involved as a major sponsor, or volunteer your time or services, please don't hesitate to contact us via email or call Achilles at 212-354-0300.