The programs range in size from 3 to 95 children. In New York City alone, an additional 20 public schools are interested in participating. Nationally, hundreds of public schools with disadvantaged children with disabilities are ready to participate. Children with disabilities from disadvantaged neighborhoods in public schools and private institutions are encouraged to walk, run, wheel, or swing on crutches through a running course with their adaptive physical education teachers. Achilles provides a structure with incentives.
Children receive a T-shirt after attending their fourth practice.
The children maintain log books and mark-off their mileage on a virtual marathon course around Manhattan. At the completion of the virtual marathon, the children receive Reeboks. At the end of the school year, medals and trophies are appropriately awarded to all participants. The instructors receive both Reeboks and an Achilles jacket or sweatshirt. Indeed, in two years, our first graduates of this program will be running the NYC Marathon.