Race Specifically for Disabled in Poughkeepsie on Saturday, June 11th.
POUGHKEEPSIE – This year’s Walkway Marathon Race Series will feature the Think Differently Dash on Saturday, June 11, providing people with developmental and physical disabilities a one-mile race of their own through downtown Poughkeepsie, organizers announced at a press conference this week.
Walkway Marathon Race Series partners, Walkway Over the Hudson and Dutchess County Government, were joined by representatives from several participating organizations in presenting information concerning the Think Differently Dash, a new feature in this year’s Walkway Marathon Race Series, which will hold its popular 5K, Half-Marathon, and Full-Marathon races the following day on Sunday, June 12.
Held at the courtyard east of One Civic Center Plaza on Main Street, the press conference also recognized that March is Disability Awareness Month and several members of this community were on hand to represent runners who will be participating in the Think Differently Dash.
“In honor of Disability Awareness Month, I can’t think of a more appropriate time to announce the Think Differently Dash,” said Walkway Executive Director Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart. “The Walkway Marathon Race Series is all about inclusiveness and bringing people and families together for healthy recreational activities in the heart of the Hudson Valley. This race makes good on our promise to provide an opportunity for everyone in our community to participate.”
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “The ‘Think Differently’ Dash embodies the philosophy we in Dutchess County Government have undertaken: choosing to look past what makes us different, instead embracing and fostering the potential inside each of us. Whether their goal is to place first, finish or just compete, all participants in the ‘Think Differently’ Dash have already won – having found the courage to overcome obstacles and compete, at the same time inspiring us all to strive and reach new heights.”
City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Robert Rolison said, “The City of Poughkeepsie is honored to have such an exciting event in the City. We welcome the participants and encourage people to come out and show their support. It’s going to be a great weekend in the Queen City.”
The Think Differently Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th and will follow a one-mile route down Main Street to a finish line at Mid-Hudson Civic Center; the race will precede the opening of the Health & Wellness Expo, presented by Dutchess Tourism. As a result Main Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic both East and Westbound from Hamilton Street to Market Street. In addition, Academy Street will be closed Northbound from Cannon Street to Main Street, as well as Catherine Street Southbound from Mill Street to Main Street. Those interested in participating in the Think Differently Dash must register in advance by visiting walkwaymarathon.org. A fee of $10 will be charged for each race participant.
Organizations partnering with Walkway Over the Hudson on this year’s Think Differently Dash include:
Dutchess County Government
Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Down Syndrome Association
Taconic Resources for Independence
Abilities First
Anderson Center for Autism
Greystone Programs
Taconic Innovations
Arc of Dutchess
City of Poughkeepsie
Mid-Hudson Association for Persons with Disabilities
New Horizons Resources, Inc.
Cardinal Hayes Home
Walkway Marathon Race Series sponsors include: Marist College, iHeartMedia, Royal Carting, Health Quest, TEG Federal Credit Union, Walters-Storyk Design Group, Pepsi Cola of the Hudson Valley, Arnoff Moving & Storage, IBM, Orthopedic Associates, Rose & Kiernan, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, SUNY New Paltz, Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie/Arlington Rotary, Mobile Life Support, the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club, Poughkeepsie Journal, Luminary Media, HVNN.com, Cablevision and many others.
For more information on the Walkway Marathon Race Series visit www.walkwaymarathon.org