Hope & Possibility 5M

These Achilles Track Club (ATC) members met up with their teammates before the five-mile race.

Chris Ayers of the Achilles FREEDOM TEAM honored all soldiers and his fellow wounded veterans before the race began. He won the handcrank division in 15:14.

NYC Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba presented race participant Trisha Meili, the “Central Park Jogger,” with a proclamation from the city.

The wheelers’ race began at 8:20 a.m. on a humid 70-degree day in Central Park.

The open race got underway at 8:30 a.m. as participants took on the five-mile loop counterclockwise around the park.

Warren Street Social & Athletic Club’s Ahmed Akour was excited to run this race that promotes athletes of all types and abilities.

Athletes shared advice and stories…and congratulations.

Peter Bremberg participated along with more than 2,040 athletes and finished in 56:50.

Eileen Ryan (left), Shawn Morrissey, and Elizabeth Kaune enjoyed running together and finished within eight seconds of one another.

Maria Chale, 46, took sixth in her age group in 41:58.

Left to right: Graciela Ramirez, Sidette Warren, and Eunjoo Lee all stayed together to finish in 1:20:26.

Abraham Ngetich of the Westchester Track Club (WTC) won the open race in 24:40.

WTC’s Meskerem Legesse was the first woman finisher in 29:09.

John (left) and Dillon Tavolacci motivated each other to cross the finish line in 39:49. Dillon, 14, was first in his age group.

ATC’s Edson de Oliveira from Brazil gave it his all to finish in 34:42.

Achilles volunteers made a sea of bright yellow. They and others who came to support the athletes made the day a success.

Governor Paterson (right), who finished in 53:23, donned his medal proudly with friends after the race

The Kids Fun Run was a highlight for the kids and their families and friends.

These children tested out their race faces before the Fun Run began at 10:30.

Athletes of all ages were proud of their accomplishments at this race.