On April 27th, more than 800 athletes completed the 6th annual PossAbilities Triathlon. While healthy competition could be observed everywhere, many athletes expressed that everyone were winners in this event. This was the first Triathlon for 19 year Old Malik, who a few months ago, lost both his legs to a land mine accident in Afganistan. A San Bernardino Police Officer, and first time triathlon competitor Dan Davis was paralyzed when his patrol car was involved in a roll over accident. 9 Year Old Abby Umali from Redlands who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy - competed side by side other able bodied athletes. These are just a few examples of athlethes who proved that diasbility does not mean inability. Abby Also sang the Nation Anthem for the event, with 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Champion Julie Swail by her side. We look forward to next years event!

Click here for photos

It’s time again for the 6th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon being held at the Drayson Center located at 25040 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, California 92354

Sunday, April 27, 2008
Registration opens at 5:30am
Triathlon & 5K races begin at 7:00am
Kids races begin at 9:00am

Please be advised of the following ROAD CLOSURES:

Stewart St. from Anderson St. to Mound St., starting at 5:30 AM and will reopen approximately 12:00 PM/Noon.

Left/Inside lanes for both west and east bound traffic on Barton Rd. will be closed from 6:30 AM until 9:30 AM, between Loma Linda Dr to University Ave. which will affect cross traffic at Benton St., Anderson St., & Campus St.

No Drayson Center parking available until 12:00 PM/Noon.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES FOR EMPLOYEES:
Use University Ave. to access LLUMC parking structure for east bound traffic on Barton Rd.
Use Loma Linda Dr. and Prospect Ave. to access VA parking.
Use Waterman Ave, Redlands Blvd. and Mountain View Ave. to avoid traffic delay.

VOLUNTEERS should arrive at 5:00am and check in at the Volunteer Desk. You will be given a tshirt and your assignment at that time. If you are working to attain volunteer hours you will only be given sign off if you check out with Cotie Williams at the conclusion of the race.

If you have not signed up to volunteer you can show up the day of the race and check in as a new volunteer.

Registration will close at midnight on 4/23/08. You may register the day of the race. Availability is based on turnout and capacity.

The PossAbilities staff will be out of the office after 12pm on 4/25 and returning 4/28.

We look forward to seeing you there!!!

The 2008 Redlands Bicycle Classic is set for April 3-6. Like last year, some of the top hand-cyclists in the nation will compete in the four day event. Dan Davis, Redlands Classic director for handcycling, a police officer who became a paraplegic after a patrol car accident will also be competing in the spectator friendly race.

PossAbilities staff, volunteers and members are extremely grateful to the Redlands Classic Leadership for including the disabled community in the even this. We encourrage you to get involved as a sponsor, volunteer or racer. An interesting and rewarding way to volunteer is to host one or more riders during the race. More information here.

Click here For more Information about the Redlands Classic.

Directed by Patricia Thio and Kent Allison, “Armed for the Challenge” will be screened at the Bevery Hills Shorts Festival, Friday February 29, 2008.

View the Trailer

“One Arm Willie Stewart is set to defy his physical Limits, while training for the physically challening triathlon USA Championship. Determined to help others with disabilities as director of the PossAbilities Program, this world Class Athlete demonstrates that anything is possible”

More Information

On January 5, 2008, seven LLU students and Team PossAbilities Members completed the OC 1/2 marathon. One of the athlethes recalls the event below.

More Pictures

“I signed up to do this half marathon with a group of friends. It was their first half and since I had done half’s and full marathons before, I didn’t think it would be hard to train for. However after a sprained ankle, two weeks of tests, and two weeks of break in snowy Pennsylvania, I returned to Loma Linda knowing that I wasn’t prepared for the half. I knew that I physically could finish, but knew that I wasn’t as prepared for the mental push that it would require. I felt fine until about mile 7 when I realized that training for this event might have been a good idea. Fortunately, I made it to mile 12, but was really tired and wanted to stop running. Just as I was thinking about all of these things, a runner came up along beside me – I paid little attention, it was a very crowded race and many people had been running nearby. It wasn’t until I heard someone say something to her about “inspiration” that I looked over and realized that it was the amputee athlete that I had seen walking to the start line earlier in the day. She had a running prosthetic just like those I had seen while reading Runner’s World. It was her first half, and I could tell that she was as tired as I was and as I ran beside her I was encouraged. We exchanged a few words of encouragement as we ran together for part of the final mile. I realized as I ran with my bright yellow and green PossAbilities jersey that I was running beside an athlete that embodied what I was running to support. Whoever had first drawn my attention to her was right, she truly was an inspiration and helped carry me through to the end”