We know being active helps everyone. Regardless of age, gender, or ability, an active lifestyle brings a wealth of returns. And having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t be a serious athlete – or even train for a marathon. In 1976, Dick Traum, an above-the-knee amputee, proved it was possible when he became the first amputee to complete the New York City Marathon.

A few years later, Dick founded the Achilles Track Club of New York, specifically for athletes with disabilities. Six of its members completed the New York Marathon that year, and now Achilles International – as it’s now called – has 28 chapters in 19 states, and another 42 chapters in 17 other countries. One of those chapters is right here in Charlotte. Their CEO Emily Glasser, who took the reins from Dick Traum in 2019, is with us now on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast… along with the founder of the Charlotte Chapter, Eric Strong.