Achilles Canada

Achilles Canada is a non-profit organization that provides people with various disabilities an opportunity to receive the physical, psychological, and communal benefits of running.

Our various Chapters offer training and support by able-bodied members to its Achilles athletes of all ability levels.

Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Run!

The annual Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Race is a 10k, 5k, and 1k Kid Run that will take place on Sunday, March 17th, 2024. The new venue is the Evergreen Brick Works and the new route will be running the Bayview Extension and the Rosedale Valley Road.

Achilles Canada mourns the loss of Dick Traum, founding President of the Achilles Track Club of New York City in 1981. Dick passed on January 23rd in his beloved New York City at 83 years of age. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Traum family, and all those lives touched by his strength, compassion, generosity and endless devotion throughout his life.

Dick was a legend, a hero and leader with an acute determination to advocate and expand the podium worldwide for Achilles athletes with disabilities competing alongside all others within the marathon domain of competition. Dick Traum was the first amputee runner to complete the New York City Marathon in 1976. He was an inspiration for many including our own Canadian, hero, Terry Fox. Terry was in hospital when he read the magazine story of Dick completing the NYC Marathon, inspiring Terry to do his Marathon of Hope.

I personally have known Dick since June of 1999; I will always recall fondly our first time meeting him at his office in New York City to talk about my initiative to develop the Canadian Chapter of Achilles Track Club. With a simple handshake, Dick proclaimed “Canada is yours for the taking Brian, I will back you every step of the way”. This he did throughout our years together meeting monthly to review, educate, inspire and promote the sport of running to be enjoyed and attainable by all, regardless of one’s limitations or challenges physically/mentally. disability. I am proud to call Dick a lifelong friend, mentor and second father to me, always available to share the successes and trials of Achilles worldwide. Dick was consistently generous with his pre-marathon hosting of lunch for each International chapter of Achilles members at his favorite club in NYC. This was the rare opportunity to share intimate stories and cherished time together with the energy leading up to the marathon.

Dick Traum will always be remembered fondly as a true leader, mentor and always fun to share time listening to his stories and quirky jokes. We felt Dick’s genuine care for his Achilles Athletes.

On behalf of all Achilles members across Canada, we are forever grateful for your pioneering devotion Dick, for bringing the Achilles family together and awakening the spirit of hope and possibility in us all.

Achilles Canada will be honouring Dick Traum’s legacy at our 25th Anniversary Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Run on March 17th, 2024. Please join us in celebrating this remarkable human being, show your support for his legacy as a participant, volunteer or supporter on event day. Come join us to raise a glass in gratitude for a life well lived, and a life of impact and contribution. Please feel free to share any stories, pictures, or memories of Dick which I would be honoured to contribute to our Achilles Canada site or newsletter.

Rest now in peace Dick, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Sincerely,

Brian McLean
Founding Volunteer President of Achilles Canada (1999)