Oct 16, 2024
Getting an Assist - Twin Cities Marathon Makes History
Jason Stoffer
I’ve never participated in an official marathon. Neither in my legged life, nor my wheely life. Sure, I’ve covered that distance (26+ miles) many times in the wilderness. Before my spinal cord injury I trekked for days or weeks on foot through the woods. But even after my SCI, I’ve been known to go off the beaten path with my new wheels every now and then.
But beyond the race event, there was something really special about being part of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon this year: we were making history! Seriously.
A fancy professional shot of me on my adaptive trike, a Reactive Adaptations Hammerhead Offroad Handcycle.
Thanks to the hard work of U2FP these last few years (especially my colleagues Lucia Webb and Quinn Brett), our campaign to allow the use of e-assist mobility devices in marathons finally found a friend in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.
This is the first and ONLY marathon to sanction these essential devices in the United States. It will allow so many more people with disabilities to participate - so I wanted to celebrate our victory by being a part of the inaugural wheely crew!
Like I said, I’ve never done an official marathon, so I didn’t know what to expect. Well let me tell you, it felt like a rolling party along that 26.2 mile course. People cheered and handed out refreshments (cups of water, electrolytes, bananas and even booze!). They held up funny signs (some of my favorites: “Keep chafing your dreams,” “Dumbest parade ever,” “Smile if you’ve peed a little,” and “Find a nice butt and stay behind it!”).
Though their butts were decent, Quinn and I decided to press on in search of other heinies ;)
There was music booming, people dancing in costumes, drum circles echoing underneath the overpasses, and hundreds of kids holding out hands for high fives as we passed. I loved every mile of it - and was so grateful more people in our community will be able to participate.
If you’ve ever had self esteem issues, I suggest you sign up for a marathon. I found myself grinning ear to ear for most of the event. These folks were complete strangers but were cheering for us like family. Because we were novel, you could see them struggling for the right chant and searching for appropriate ways to cheer us on: “Go wheelers!” “Go athletes!” “Go cyclers!” “Go ???.”
I was in high spirits already, but the most moving interaction for me was seeing a middle-aged woman in a power chair COMPLETELY light up when she saw us roll by. She yelled out: “HAND CYCLES!!!” I came to this event to advocate. To be seen in these mobility devices after a hard-won fight for inclusion. In my mind though, I was here for her. I was watching her open up to a new realization: I could do that!
For U2FP, the fundraising component of these events helps support our state legislative work for SCI cures (it’s hard to get grants for legislative advocacy since it's technically considered political lobbying). It also embodies one of our core principles: that people living with SCI should have a place at the table where decisions are made about our quality of life.
By extension, our SCI community should be able to fully participate in any fundraising opportunity that will help them - including marathons. Attending this event has made me so proud of the depth and commitment to advocacy that U2FP has modeled. This seemingly “out of our SCI research lane” effort shows that although tiring, we continue to speak up for change wherever we have the opportunity. And sometimes it works.
Keep speaking up!
PS - In case you missed it, our match campaign was extended through the end of October by the generous donor who initiated it. Please consider chipping in to help us hit our $100,000 goal by October 31st. We’re almost there and your donation will go twice as far if you give right now. Thanks in advance for your support!
