22 For '22! Ainsley's Angels
One in a series of posts looking at people, places, events and more that will help running rise to another level in 2022.
Editor's note: Another in a series, 22 For '22, celebrating running in the Triad. Running Shorts' paid subscribers will receive a reminder every day through Jan. 1 about events, places, people or things that will help running rise to another level in 2022. Enjoy!
Take it from Rick O'Reilly.
"I have run a lot of road and trail races," O'Reilly wrote in a Facebook post Nov. 20. "This race was one of the most significant."
Indeed, Trivium Racing's Greensboro Half Marathon and 5K offered another strong Saturday event.
But what O'Reilly meant was the opportunity to help Ainsley's Angels, an organization that pairs special-needs riders with Angels runners and is active in the Triad through the leadership of Greensboro's Lauren Bruce, a community resources director for Special Olympics North Carolina.
"It was an honor to push Angelique’s chariot with Rob Seltzer," O'Reilly added.
I had my own encounter that day, having spoken with Lauren weeks earlier about the program then wandering over to the riders' area before the start of the half marathon.
Gabe, one of the riders, told me he needed a hug and wanted me to listen to his portable speaker. After the race, I considered myself fortunate to find Gabe, who indulged me with a selfie as we showed off our medals.
So in 2022, I'm looking forward to following in the footsteps of Lauren, Rob, Rick and so many others and following one of the Ainsley's riders across a finish line.
You can learn more about Ainsley's Angels by emailing Lauren at nctriad@ainsleysangels.org.
And you can read a bit more about Ainsley's Angels in the second part of this post from November.
22 For '22! ICYMI
Dec. 11
