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Meet the Athletes Day a success!

6/30/2011 8:02:15 AM

The Heart Of A Marine Foundation is sponsoring the first adaptive athletes race within the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove Cycling Classic. In prelude to this event, on Tuesday, June 28 The Foundation hosted a "Meet the Athlete" media day.

Veterans participating in The Heart Of A Marine Foundation Adaptive Athlete Race were invited to demonstrate their adaptive biking equipment and racing skills in front of the media. Media representatives were able to interview the veterans, get a close up look at their bikes, and get the athletes perspectives on racing with disabilities.

Among the media was ABC Chicago's Karyn Meyer. Ms. Meyer was impressed with the turn out and the support of the community. "It's nice to see your Mayor here", she commented. "He is extremely supportive of The Foundation and this race. That is so great".

Elk Grove Village Police secured a section of the official race course as the veterans rode past cheering crowds of school children from the Hattendorf Center Day Care.The children, waving American flags, were as excited for the demonstration as the veterans. On the final lap, the veterans stopped to meet the children, shake hands, and high five! One student was heard to say, "I touched a veteran! Wow!".

The 6th annual Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove International Cycling Classic will be held Friday August 5- Sunday, August 7. The Heart Of A Marine Foundation Adaptive Atlhlete race is slated for Sunday, August 7 at 10:30AM.

Registration is available on-line at www.tourofelkgrove.com and is open to all adaptive athletes, military/veteran and civilian. The only prerequisite is the use of a hand cycle.