Achilles Hosts Third Relay From Connecticut to Washington, D.C. Chapters
Achilles athletes, guides, and community members covered a collective 1,585 miles from September 3 to the 10th as part of the third Achilles Relay. Military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team ran, walked and handcycled with five Achilles chapters in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
The Relay began at The Cigna Group’s headquarters in Bloomfield, CT, where Achilles athletes were joined by David Cordani, Chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group, and more than 200 employees. As part of Cigna’s “Gear Up for Good” initiative, Achilles Freedom Team athletes including Manny Jimenez, Andrew Hairston, Ryan Long and Omar Duran, helped set up bicycles and decorated helmets for local youth in the community with Boys & Girls Club Hartford.
“Achilles International athletes are proof that anything is possible when you have a community behind you,” said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. “Unity and support are powerful drivers of health and vitality, and we’re proud to champion an event that brings these values to life for our colleagues — especially as we engage young people in our communities.”
The journey continued with a special dinner and workout with Achilles Connecticut on the Rail Trail at its Greater New Haven location. Each athlete signed the Achilles Relay flag with their miles as well as inspirational messages to members in other cities, such as Lera’s, “Helping your teammates is important.”
In New York City, the Relay baton was passed from the handcycle workout, to Achilles Kids, then to the adults. Veterans like Marcus Chischilly teamed up with Dylan and other Achilles Kids members for some miles in Central Park. The baton was then passed to Katy Sanchez and fellow Achilles New Jersey athletes, who conquered 253 training miles collectively in the rain the next day.
The relay then hit Philadelphia, where the chapter teamed up with local nonprofit Mural Miles for a special workout running by several art murals in the city led by an Achilles Philly guide.
“It was so amazing getting to meet all the Achilles Relay athletes and hear their stories. Being with our fellow athletes from other cities helped energize us even more. It was a great reminder of how meaningful it is to be part of this wonderful organization,” said Melissa Wilcox, Chapter Lead, Achilles Philadelphia.
The Relay concluded in Washington, D.C. with a morning celebration hosted by The Cigna Group and its CEO David Cordani along with a visit to patients at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. The day concluded by passing the baton to the Achilles D.C. chapter at their Wednesday evening workout, where athletes, guides, and relay participants shared memories and miles by the nation’s monuments.
“Community is the cornerstone of resilience. When we come together with one shared goal, we create a network of strength that helps individuals overcome challenges and thrive,” said Emily Glasser, President and CEO, Achilles International. “Our longstanding work with The Cigna Group ensures that every mile makes a difference in the lives of youth, adults and military veterans with disabilities.”
The Achilles Relay was first introduced to our community in 2021 when we had to adapt to find a safe way for our community to run, walk and roll together coming out of the pandemic. To continue the momentum, Achilles hosted its second relay in 2023, and its third this September to add more meaning to our miles as athletes across the country train for the fall race calendar and beyond.
Achilles thanks treasured partners The Cigna Group, official sponsor of the Achilles Freedom Team, and the GM Military Appreciation Program, for supporting this effort, including commemorative batons and access to Chevy Tahoes.
