This Saturday athletes will descend upon Mt. Gretna to swim, bike, and run in support of the IM ABLE Foundation.
The Got The Nerve? Triathlon, which is in its 16th year, was started by Chris Kaag, who in 1997 was diagnosed with AMN (adrenomyeloneuropathy). Still an active Marine at the time of his diagnosis, AMN would eventually affect Kaag’s ability to walk.
Kaag would go on to start the IM ABLE Foundation with the aim of helping all individuals, disabled and able-bodied, realize the potential to go further and push harder than their preconceived limits.
Over the years, the IM ABLE Foundation has been able to donate over one hundred pieces of adaptive sports equipment to athletes.
These pieces of equipment can be very expensive. For example, according to the IM ABLE Foundation website, handcycles can cost between $1,200 and $10,000, while the specialized wheelchairs used for wheelchair basketball can cost as much as $5,000.
For the Got The Nerve? Triathlon, both able-bodied and disabled athletes will take part either solo or in teams.
The first leg of the triathlon is a 750m swim in Mt. Gretna Lake. This is followed by a 16 mile bike ride, and a 5k run.
After 16 years of holding the triathlon, Kaag sends his thanks to the residents of Mt. Gretna for playing host to the event.
“I really appreciate them hosting us for 16 years,” said Kaag. “I know with events, they can pose an inconvenience for people, but hopefully they see good things that we’re trying to accomplish with the race, and I’m pretty proud we’re able to do this for the sixteenth year.”
The Got The Nerve? Triathlon will begin this Saturday morning at 8:15.