With three marathons under his belt, Little Rock’s Andre Slay could be just another face in the crowd of the running community, trying to consistently build a racing resume. With his job for Delta Airlines, he could be just another helpful employee insuring passengers enjoy their flight. Slay’s attitude is like that of most successful athlete: committed to training, focused on a healthy lifestyle. But when one meets Slay, one can see this man’s situation is rare and extraordinary. Slay is an amputee…and his story is one that can empower us all.

Slay was not always a runner and it may surprise some he didn’t even begin training until one special man changed his life—that man is Jeffrey Glassbrenner. Glassbrenner was boarding a plane when he was helped by 30-year-old Slay at the airport. An amputee himself, Glassbrenner declined any special assistance from Slay but their interaction changed both men’s lives forever. They began talking about life—and its challenges—with a prosthetic leg. Glassbrenner has completed 22 Ironmen Competitions and boasts three Paralympic gold medals. They created a bond and a friendship began to grow. 

In April of 2013, Glassbrenner was running the Boston Marathon when the history of the racing world was forever changed and changed that course for Slay as well. He called to confirm Glassbrenner was safe and then made a choice. He was going to run.

In June he began his training. That September he ran his first marathon in Colorado Springs. Eight miles into it, his prosthetic leg was on fire with blisters. Nine miles later he couldn’t feel that pain any more. He finished that marathon with a time of seven hours and two minutes. After two months of recovery work, he learned to train smart. His next marathon was the 2014 Little Rock Marathon, and then it was on to Boston.

“No excuses,” says Slay. “I think about people who are in my position who can’t afford to run.”

Slay won’t run the marathon this go round but finished Saturday’s 5k with a time of 34:25.7.

This 5K comes in the middle of his running season as he looks ahead to the National Championships for outdoor Paralympics.

“Every day I wake up I’m still in shock because of the opportunities given to me and I feel like it’s my duty to do this for those who can’t. “

Just meeting this young warrior with a bright smile and gleam in his eyes is one opportunity anyone would walk away from feeling like a winner.

The 2015 Little Rock Marathon 5K female medalist was Angela Sabo of Carlisle, Ill. Sabo finished with a time of 21:02, running alongside nine of her Michelob Ultra teammates out of St. Louis.

Sabo’s name may be familiar to some as she won the 2013 Little Rock Marathon 5K and finished second in her age group at last year’s Little Rock Half Marathon as well. In addition to running today, Sabo plans to participate in tomorrow’s half marathon despite difficulty training this year due to inclement weather in her hometown and having to train on an indoor treadmill.

When asked what her strategy is for tomorrow, Sabo said, “I just plan to keep a steady pace and see what happens.”

Finishing 2nd in the Little Rock Marathon was Angela Kasten, age 28 from Davison, MI with a finish time of 21:08 and 3rd was Kathleen Rea, 55, from North Little Rock.

For the second year in a row, Matt Bartels, age 15, of Saginaw, Mich., wins the first official race of the 2015 Little Rock Marathon, finishing this morning’s 5K race in 18:18.  Matt, who attends Nouvel Catholic Central High School in Saginaw, enjoys running marathons with his father, Peter. This is Matt and his dad’s third year to run in Little Rock. Both Matt and Peter will be running races tomorrow as well.

Mike Moroz of Jacksonville, Fla, age 27, finished second with a time of 18:37.  Finishing third was Brian Steinberg, age 27, of Grand Rapids, Mich., with a time of 18:51.  The first Arkansan to cross the finish line was Eathan Devine of Bryant, with a time of 19:44.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Little Rock Marathon Media

 

Little Rock Marathon Executive Director: “The Health and Fitness Expo is the kick-off for the entire weekend of Little Rock Marathon activities.”

(Little Rock, Ark. – February 27, 2015) – The 13th annual Little Rock Marathon Health & Fitness Expo sponsored by Windstream Communications kicked off the marathon weekend this morning at 10:00 AM and will be hosting participants and friends until 7pm as well as tomorrow, Saturday, February 28, 9 am – 5 pm at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. The Expo will offer more than 70 booths ranging from health, beauty, fitness to apparel, nutrition and even a course overview. This is also where participants will receive their materials for race day including race bibs, t-shirts, and final race instructions.

“The Health and Fitness Expo is the kick-off for the entire weekend of running activities and is the nucleus for athletes, friends, and family to get geared up and ready to go for race day,” said Geneva Hampton, Co-Executive Director for the Little Rock Marathon. “Every year, the Expo grows to provide an unmatched experience for the Little Rock Marathon community.”

Race officials anticipate more than 14,000 participants and over 25,000 expo attendees based on last year’s participation. Participants in the Little Rock Marathon this year are traveling from all 50 states and 41 countries.

For more information about the 2015 events, please visit www.littlerockmarathon.com

###

About Little Rock Parks & Recreation
Little Rock Parks and Recreation oversees 60 developed parks and twelve undeveloped parks totaling over 6,100 acres. In addition, the Little Rock Parks & Recreation offers a wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors. Funds raised will continue to support parks and recreational programs for all ages. For more information about Little Rock Parks & Recreation please visit www.lrpr.org