A new Achilles International chapter serving Morris County holds its first workout Sunday, Aug. 30, at 8 a.m. at RVA Fields, 353 Powerville Road in Boonton Township, just north of Denville.
The chapter is open to adults and young people living with physical or cognitive disabilities. Participants join as Achilles athletes and are paired with volunteer guides who run or walk beside them, moving at whatever pace the athlete sets. There is no cost to take part.
Organizers chose RVA Fields for its surface. The site has a soft 1.8 mile loop around the soccer and lacrosse fields that suits runners and walkers alike. The fields are managed by the RVA Sports Club, a partnership between the Boonton Township governing body and the presidents of the area’s youth soccer, boys lacrosse and girls lacrosse programs.
Once the group is established, it plans to meet every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Athletes can run, walk or do some of each.
Guides do not need a running background. Achilles provides training and support, and the role mostly asks for time and a willingness to keep an athlete company at their own speed.
Achilles International has run adaptive athletic programs since 1983 and says it has worked with more than 150,000 athletes worldwide. Its New Jersey chapter already holds weekly workouts in Newark, Cranford, Jersey City, Rochelle Park and Monmouth County.
RSVP is required for Sunday’s first session, and organizers ask that athletes not be dropped off. Anyone interested in joining as an athlete or volunteering as a guide can contact chapter organizer Joe Huber at 973-769-8788 or joehuber26.2@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Achilles International
