Eight hundred physically-challenged and able-bodied athletes from all skill levels took part in the Loma Linda University 8th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon on Sunday, April 25.
The Loma Linda University 8th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon, presented by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, brought together hundreds of recreational and professional athletes for a 3.1 mile run, an 11-mile bike ride, and a 5K run/walk/roll.
“This is the only triathlon we are aware if in the United States where able-bodied pro athletes, community athletes and participants, and disabled athletes of all ages start together at the same starting line. The other events in the community often allow the disabled to have their own handcycle race within the event, but at the PossAbilities triathlon, everyone does the triathlon together,” Herbert Atienza, told O&P Business News on behalf of Loma Linda University Medical Center. “Most races tend to group people by abilities; our triathlon places everyone in the same group to eliminate barriers between the able-bodied and disabled,”
Michael Jackson, administrator of Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus, the campus that organized the event, was pleased with the turnout.
“The triathlon truly succeeded in celebrating and highlighting the abilities of our physically-challenged athletes,” he said.
