'It gives me purpose': Achilles Manawatū athletes reaching their personal best together
Wednesday, 6 September 2023
When Sharon O’Hara pulls on her bright yellow T-shirt and slips on her trainers, her guide dog Wags knows it is time.
It’s time to get excited, it’s time to run – and it’s not just a routine stroll around the neighbourhood. It’s with purpose and, most importantly, it’s with her people.
The 51-year-old Palmerston North woman had always struggled to find a sport where she could fit in, and feel involved, after losing her sight as a result of a car crash when she was 18.
She adapted to total blindness, but found it really difficult to become part of any group.
But now, on a crisp spring evening on the riverside pathway, she is surrounded by yellow jackets, her Achilles Manawatū teammates, with whom she is training for the Auckland Marathon in October.
Through the support of guide runners and walkers, Achilles enables people with physical and neurological disabilities the opportunity to participate in mainstream running events.
“That’s probably the biggest thing for me,” O’Hara said. “It’s let me come out and meet new people and get involved. And we have so much fun, so many laughs.
“It gives me something to look forward to each week, and setting goals. I’ve done 10k with the Striders, and 10k at Around the Bays in Wellington.”
O’Hara is pushing herself to complete a half-marathon in Auckland, and though she normally walks events, she is considering running some of it.
“Last week I was paired with a guide who could push me a bit harder, and that’s all really good for me. You’ve got that support there which is encouraging, that can push you a bit harder. Which is what I enjoy, pushing my limits.”
Though Achilles has been running in New Zealand for 30 years, a Manawatū chapter was only founded 18 months ago.
O’Hara has been involved since the outset, working with her neighbour Deb Sheard, a guide, to grow the group, and organise fundraising and sponsorship.
“It’s all good stuff. I don’t work as such, so it gives me a purpose, and something to be involved in.”
Susan Evans had been training for her first half-marathon when she was involved in a serious car crash near Sanson in 2015, suffering horrific injuries.
She became aware of Achilles NZ soon after her lower right leg was amputated in 2017. It was running a competition to send athletes with disabilities to the Queenstown Marathon.
Evans was one of the winners, and she tackled the 10-kilometre event with a prosthetic running leg. She has since completed a half-marathon at the local Manawatū Striders event and Auckland would be her second.
She made the switch from a shoe to a running blade at about the same time she helped set up Manawatū Achilles.
“Having a group locally has definitely made a big difference for this year. It’s regular training and having guides to support.
“And the confidence at events, having that guide with you. I’m often having to change stump socks to change the fit of my leg. My guide can help me balance.”
Sheard said the group got off to a slow start in 2022, but had been gaining momentum this year, with membership now at about 40.
“We’re forming a new little community. It’s pretty special, and we’re looking to grow.”
Some athletes were in wheelchairs, some were blind or amputees, and some had disabilities that couldn’t be seen, such as autism or obsessive compulsive disorder.
Athletes often worked one-on-one with guides, but often switched partners and sometimes ran with guides in other parts of the country, depending on the event and who was available.
Sheard, who worked in learning support at Te Pūkenga, running neurodiversity workshops, said the guides also benefited from the experience developing their perspective of people with disabilities.
Their empathy, awareness and patience increased.
Achilles Manawatū is trying to raise $8000 to assist with travel costs to Auckland and to support members not able to make the trip, who are instead preparing for other events such as the Feilding Marathon on November 4.
The group has been supported by Milson Rotary, Rongotea Lions, and Supported Lifestyle Services, and each member has been equipped with some serious running shoes courtesy of Shoe Clinic Palmerston North and sports gear charity Replay.
The store provided Replay with shoes returned through its 30-day guarantee, which were often only worn once or twice, but the Achilles crew were also invited into Shoe Clinic for a formal measure and fit.
Its owner Nick Birchfield said it was a pleasure to support the group ahead of their quest to take on Auckland.
Sheard said it was a “big deal” for the athletes to have their feet properly measured and fitted.
“To get those shoes from Nick is life-changing. Most of them have never had a pair of shoes like that.”
To keep growing, she said Achilles Manawatū needed more guides before it could accommodate for more athletes with disabilities. Both runners and walkers were wanted.
People interested in joining or contributing to the fundraising can email manawatu@achillesnewzealand.org or message the group’s Facebook page.