Marathoner Runs CMM to Benefit ABLE Youth

Thousands of runners will take to the streets of Nashville this weekend, hoping to accomplish a personal goal of completing a marathon.  Nashville runner Zac Koffler has the same personal goal, but it is the goal of raising money for local students with disabilities that truly inspires him to finish the race.  As part of “Run, Walk, Wheel & Roll” (RWWR), a Nashville-based, multi-national volunteer initiative pairing students with disabilities with pushers for the duration of a marathon, Koffler, RWWR’s Founder, will run the marathon while pushing students with disabilities.  This year, RWWR has chosen ABLE Youth, a Nashville area youth wheelchair sports and independence organization, as its beneficiary.

In addition to training for the marathon by pushing a chair weighed down with bricks to simulate a child riding with him, Koffler has also been busy fundraising, with nearly $17,000 raised for ABLE Youth so far.

While running the marathon, Koffler, a music industry professional, will be pushing three ABLE Youth student athletes in three shifts during the race.  Braden Teague, J-rod Denning, and Fiona Murphey of Nashville are some of ABLE Youth’s younger participants, and it is the hope of the organization that participating in the marathon through RWWR will inspire them to complete a marathon of their own when they get older and stronger.  RWWR hopes to have more volunteers join their team in years to come. 

About Run, Walk, Wheel & Roll:  RWWR is a multi-national volunteer initiative designed experiences that transcend the physical limitations of the body by pushing children with various disabilities in their wheelchairs through Marathons, 1/2 Marathons, and other physical endeavors while simultaneously building awareness and raising money for the amazing programs and schools that support such children. More information about RWWR can be found at www.rwwr.org.

About ABLE Youth:  ABLE Youth exists to teach children in wheelchairs the importance of living healthy, happy, successful, and independent lives from their wheelchairs. As the children show independence, they are introduced to all types of wheelchair sports and recreation, such as basketball, cheerleading, tennis, swimming, water skiing, snow skiing, golf, fishing, bowling, etc.  The goal for ALL ABLE Youth kids is to become totally independent, graduate from high school, and either enroll in college or secure full time employment. More information about ABLE Youth can be found at www.ableyouth.org.