In its 15th year, STRIDE’s Great Race/Diana Golden Mills Cup Level I Adaptive Race 2010 is a heartwarming event at the end of the ski season for nearly 70 skiers with disabilities from across the Capital Region of New York and the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Many of STRIDE's students with disabilities have trained all season under the tutelage of the organization's volunteer ski instructors preparing for this event.
The 2010 Great Race is open to all adaptive skiers – any age, skill level or disability. The course will be set up to accommodate different skill levels. Divisions are for visually impaired, blind, two-track, three-track, four-track, bi-ski, mono skiers, as well as snowboarders with special needs. The Great Race will wrap up with an outdoor cook-out, music and an awards ceremony with Phil Bayly, news anchorfor Albany, N.Y. television station WNYT as master of ceremonies.
“We are pleased to have The Hartford, the founding sponsor of U.S. Paralympics, support the Great Race,” said Mary Ellen Whitney, chief executive officer and founder of STRIDE. “Our partnership for this event is a symbol of the commitment that The Hartford makes to its communities, particularly for support of athletics for people with disabilities.”
“We are honored to partner with STRIDE, who shares our philosophy of focusing on people’s abilities, not physical limitations,” said Patricia Purdy, assistant vice president in The Hartford’s Group Benefits Division.
The Hartford’s investment in the abilities of athletes with disabilities began 15 years ago. In 2003, the insurer became the founding sponsor of U.S. Paralympics, the U.S. Olympic Committee dedicated to recruiting and training elite athletes with physical disabilities. Its sponsorship extends into 2012.
Purdy added that The Hartford’s support of the Great Race complements its sponsorship of The Hartford Ski Spectacular, the nation’s largest winter sports festival for people with disabilities. Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA) holds the event annually in Breckenridge, Colo. STRIDE is the Albany chapter of DS/USA.
STRIDE’s annual race is a major fund-raiser for the organization through the sale of raffle tickets and donations, raising more than $20,000. More than 300 spectators are expected to attend the awards ceremony. Raffle tickets are available at the event for $5 each or five tickets for $20, with many prizes.
