Chapter Milestones: Norway

In 1976, Achilles International’s late founder Dick Traum made history as the first person with a prosthetic leg to complete the New York City Marathon, helping spark a movement that continues to redefine what’s possible for athletes with disabilities around the world.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of that historic finish, we’re celebrating the people, moments and milestones that have shaped Achilles along the way. Today, that movement spans 62 chapters worldwide, each with its own story to tell.

We asked members of the Achilles International of Norway community to reflect on the moments that have defined their chapter, the milestones they've celebrated, and what Achilles means to them. Read Chapter Leader Bedir Yiyit's reflection below.

Bedir Yiyit, Chapter Leader, Achilles International of Norway

My Achilles journey began when I met Harald Vik, a deaf-blind athlete who had completed the New York City Marathon 10 times. Harald encouraged me to experience the race for myself, and in 2006, I traveled to New York with him and Terje Midberg to take on my first marathon.

I finished in 4:55, but what stayed with me wasn't the time. It was the experience. The energy of the race and the crowds cheering along the course gave me tremendous inspiration. It was something I knew I would carry with me for the rest of my life.

I continued running with other Norwegians in the years that followed and became increasingly involved with Achilles. When Terje eventually had to step away from leading the chapter for health reasons, I took over as Chapter Leader in 2009.

But Achilles Norway's story began long before my own.

Achilles International of Norway was founded by Ketil Moe, a Norwegian athlete who lived with cystic fibrosis and became a nationally and internationally recognized figure within the disability community.

Ketil completed the New York City Marathon 14 times between 1983 and 1999. Remarkably, he completed his final two marathons after receiving transplanted lungs. Throughout his journey, he was accompanied and supported by fellow Norwegians including Grete Waitz, Johann Olav Koss and his physiotherapist, Finn Bendixen.

Ketil died from sepsis shortly after completing his final marathon in 1999, just before his 33rd birthday. But the community he helped create continued.

Terje Midberg took over leadership of Achilles Norway in 1999 and led the chapter for the next decade. When I became Chapter Leader in 2009, I wanted to continue building on the foundation Ketil and Terje had created.

In 2012, I took the initiative to establish a formal board for Achilles Norway. The board was formed on November 14, 2012, and on January 19, 2013, Achilles was officially registered as an organization in Norway's Brønnøysund Register.

Since then, we've continued to grow.

What began as a small group has become a community of 130 members. As more people have learned about Achilles and shared their experiences with others, we've been able to welcome more athletes, guides and supporters into our family.

Running remains an important part of what we do, but our activities extend well beyond it. Our members participate in skiing and tandem cycling, and we've also organized activities like bowling workshops and cooking classes.

For many people, joining Achilles has opened the door to an entirely new network and way of life. We've helped people become more physically active, build friendships and discover a community they can rely on.

Some of our favorite memories come from participating in major events together, including the Oslo Marathon, where our members can take on the 10K, half marathon or marathon. We've also participated in the Holmenkollstafetten in Oslo, a massive relay event that brings together tens of thousands of participants.

But what makes me proudest isn't the size of our chapter or the races we've completed. It's seeing our members happy, supporting one another and wanting to stay active.

We've built an Achilles family.

Our members encourage one another to participate, try new things and keep moving forward. That sense of connection is just as important as the physical activity itself.

Through my years with Achilles, I've learned how important exercise and staying active can be to a person's overall quality of life. Physical activity can help build confidence, but so can having a network of people around you who believe in you and want to see you succeed.

When I think back to my first New York City Marathon in 2006, I remember how inspired I felt by the people around me. Nearly two decades later, that same feeling continues to drive what we're building in Norway.

We've grown from a small group into a community of 130 members, but the heart of Achilles Norway remains the same: bringing people together, supporting one another and helping more people discover what an active, connected life can make possible.