JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Friends and family pushed a 29-year-old man with cerebral palsy through parts of the course at the 49th Gate River Run on Saturday.
They said the effort allowed Jake to share the speed, noise and finish-line thrill of the race.
“For us, it’s always been about that there’s so little that he can do, but racing while being pushed is the funnest thing,” his father, Ron said. “He looks forward to these races. He loves when the crowd cheers his name...”
Tracy said they’re not just running together, they’re pushing Jake.
“We’re definitely all motivating each other,” Tracy said. “This is my first time doing this...the cheers are awesome.”
Christopher said the spectators are what keeps them going as they push Jake.
“We do it for him, it’s so fun,” Christopher said. “We appreciate all the spectators and everybody, it keeps us going.”
“Jake’s in front of us pulling us along the whole time. It’s a great experience,” Brian said.
Tracy said it makes it more than a race for them.
“Something bigger than ourselves, I see this all around the country. I run major marathons across the United States and I just get so much cheers from them,” Tracy said.
They said they plan to keep looking for the next city event, coming back to the Gate River Run area and signing up for half-marathon push teams in the fall.
Ron urged other families of children with disabilities to seek out opportunities.
“Explore every angle. Take chances,” he said, adding that the smiles and joy make the effort worthwhile.