Colfax Marathon’s Director of the Wheelchair Division a top finisher in the LA Marathon Wheelchair Race
DENVER – MARCH 17, 2008. The Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon is proud to congratulate our own Dawna Callahan, Director of the Wheelchair Division, on her top finish in the Los Angeles Marathon’s Wheelchair Race on March 2, 2008.
Not only was it Callahan’s first marathon, it was her first competitive wheelchair race. She placed fourth in the women’s open division with a time of 2:25:18.
As Director of the Wheelchair Division for the Colorado Colfax Marathon, Callahan is committed to creating opportunities for physically challenged athletes to compete. She invites elite wheelchair racers from across the country to participate in the 26.2 mile race. In 2007, 21 athletes finished the wheelchair marathon, and she expects a higher number this year, including racers from the US Paralympic Track team.
“I want to make sure our racers can focus on the race and the competition,” Callahan said. “I decided to train and finish a wheelchair marathon to get a better perspective on what these athletes go through, from training through race day.”
Callahan received a racing wheelchair through a grant from Challenged Athletes Foundation. The winner of the first Colorado Colfax Marathon Wheelchair Race in 2006, Jacob Heilveil of Longmont, helped Callahan fit her specialized chair and began to mentor and train with her. Winter weather made it difficult to train outdoors, so the furthest Callahan had gone was eleven miles on the road before the race.
“It’s an incredible feeling for an athlete to cross that finish line,” Callahan said.
ABOUT THE POST-NEWS COLORADO COLFAX MARATHON WHEELCHAIR RACE
The Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon is the proud host of the 2008 National Wheelchair Marathon Championships on May 18, 2006. In addition to these elite racers, we welcome athletes of all skill levels to compete in the 26.2 mile race. For more information, visit www.coloradocolfaxmarathon.org or contact Dawna Callahan at dawnam@yahoo.com.
ABOUT THE MARATHON
The Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon, Half-Marathon and Relay is on May 18, 2006 at 6:00 a.m. The 26.2 mile course has been redesigned this year, starting and finishing in Denver’s City Park. The Marathon is owned and operated by the Colfax Marathon Partnership, Inc., a non-profit organization formed by the cities of Aurora, Denver and Lakewood to shine a positive spotlight on Colfax Avenue and to foster youth fitness. Net proceeds go to Colorado Kids, a charity dedicated to preventing obesity and promoting fitness for school aged children. Visit www.coloradocolfaxmarathon.org to learn more.
SPONSORS
Sponsors of the 2008 Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon enjoy promoting a healthy and vibrant community along America’s longest business district. Our sponsors include The Denver Post, The Rocky Mountain News, 9News, 1stBank, Safeway, Craig Hospital, The Children’s Hospital, The Denver Athletic Club, The Daniels Fund, Propaganda Labs, and the cities of Aurora, Denver and Lakewood.
CHARITY PARTNERS
Our Charity Partners encourage runners to raise additional funds for the cause, including Air Foundation, The Allied Jewish Federation, American Lung Association of Colorado, American Transplant Foundation, ARC Thrift Stores of Colorado, Asian Hope, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Inc., The Children’s Museum, Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, Colorado Youth For A Change, Craig Hospital, Denver Kids, Inc., Denver Rescue Mission, Denver Urban Ministries, Esquela Guadalupe, Fetal Hope Foundation, Freedom Service Dogs, Inc., Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Denver, JeffCo Action Center, Inc., Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado, Inc., MetroCareRing, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Prostate Cancer Awareness Council, Savio House, The Second Wind Fund, Sewall Child Development Center, Single Mothers of Color, Inc., Urban Servant Corps, Warren Village, The Women’s Bean Project, and YMCA of Metropolitan Denver.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
WHAT: The 2008 Post-News Colorado Colfax Wheelchair Marathon Championships
WHERE: The 26.2-mile course has a single start/finish in City Park.
WHEN: Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 5:55 am, City Park
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Contacts:
Liz Easterly - 303-249-6895
liz@coloradocolfaxmarathon.org
Dave Walstrom - 303-770-9600
dave@coloradocolfaxmarathon.org