Washington, DC – September 27, 2010 – The 7th Annual Super H 5K Run, Walk and Wheel, benefiting National Rehabilitation Hospital’s (NRH) adaptive sports for those with disabilities continues to be a success, with roughly 200 participants and raising $25,000. Over the past seven years, the event has raised more than $200,000 to support NRH adaptive sports, such as wheelchair basketball, soccer, quad rugby, sled hockey, hand cycling and more.
The race took place on Sunday, September 19 at Tysons Corner Sport & Health Club in McLean, VA. It was originally organized in 2004 by the wife, children and friends of Harry Freedman, an accomplished athlete who lost his leg in a worksite accident. The original purpose of the race was to benefit Harry – Super ‘H’ himself – with a state-of-the-art sport prosthetic leg. The event has gained national attention and grown into the Super H 5K Run, Walk and Wheel, a physical feat open to those of quite diverse abilities – runners, walkers, hand cyclists, moms pushing strollers, and those punching the rims of sleek, aerodynamic racing wheelchairs.
“So many people were there to help me in rebuilding my life,” says Freedman. “I want them to know how important it was to me, and we want to make sure there is someone there to help the children who need us now.”
Today, the event continues to raise substantial funds for the NRH adaptive sports programs for those in the community and for the NRH/USOC sports programs for wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. The Super H race enables NRH’s adaptive sports teams to host regular clinics to open the world of sports to individuals with disabilities.
The Super H 5K Run, Walk & Wheel drew in major sponsors again this year including Darren Starr Productions, Washington Express, Tri Union Express and many more. Chicken Out Rotisserie and Whole Foods donated food for all participants and volunteers to enjoy during the party following the race.
Participants could purchase tickets for the raffle which included prizes such as gift certificates to McCormick and Schmick’s, a one-year membership to Sport and Health and DC United tickets. The raffle brought extra enthusiasm to the after party as participants and volunteers mingled around the pool area.
This year’s first runner across the finish line and top male finisher, age 19 and over was Benjamin Koch of Round Hill, VA. Koch posted a time of 18:19. Other top finishers included Julialyn R. Deos of Manorville, NY, the top female finisher, age 19 and up, with a time of 22:50. Top male and female finishers under age 17 included: Jack Tobe, age 15, of Washington, DC (24:15) and Rachel Lareson, 14, of Annandale, VA (26:56).
Just because the Super H 5K for 2010 is over, doesn’t mean you can’t still get involved, especially if you have a disability or know someone who is disabled and wants to stay active.
National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) is a private, not-for-profit facility located in Northwest Washington, D.C. NRH’s services are designed specifically for the rehabilitation of individuals with disabling injuries and illnesses such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and disease, arthritis, amputations, post-polio syndrome, chronic pain, back and neck pain, occupational injuries, cancer and cardiac disease that require medical rehabilitation, and other neurological and orthopedic conditions. NRH admits approximately 2,200 inpatients annually, has appeared on the “Best Hospitals” list in U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years and is currently ranked among the top hospitals in medical rehabilitation in America. NRH has the only CARF accredited specialty program for both Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke in the region. In addition, NRH’s Spinal Cord Injury Program has been designated one of only 14 Model SCI Systems of care in the country by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a part of the Department of Education. NRH is a proud member of MedStar Health.