Five Team Hope For The Warriors members celebrate completing the 42nd Annual Marine Corps Marathon.
WASHINGTON D.C. (Oct. 26, 2017) – With the support of Hope For The Warriors, more than 100 Team Hope For The Warriors members including 16 warrior athletes, crossed the finish line Sunday at the 42nd Annual Marine Corps Marathon.
Team Hope For The Warriors, one of the Hope For The Warriors’ Sports and Recreation programs, provides athletes of all abilities the opportunity to engage their competitive spirit at endurance events. Warrior Team members are provided adaptive equipment and race support to ensure that they are defined by their achievements rather than by their injuries, supporting their rehabilitation and mental health, while re-engaging competitive spirts.
Participating Sergeant Major Army veteran Kevin Bittenbender completed his third Marine Corps Marathon as a Team Hope For The Warriors warrior athlete and credits the nonprofit for his healthy physical and mental state. Due to complications from combat injuries, Bittenbender suffered an amputation in 2014 and was limited in being physical and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“Hope For The Warriors assisted in getting me a handcycle to aid in staying physically and mentally fit,” said the Pennsylvania resident.
In addition to maintaining an active lifestyle, the 33-year career Army veteran was also honoring three fellow soldiers through his training and participation.
“Participating in my third Marine Corps Marathon also provided me some closure. I lost three of my soldiers on August 27, 2017 and I’ve dedicated each race to one of them. This last Marine Corps Marathon closed the loop on honoring my three best friends and fellow soldiers.”
“It’s an honor to have had more than 100 Team Hope For The Warriors members compete in such a prestigious event on behalf of Hope For The Warriors,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president of Hope For The Warriors. “Completing 26.2 miles on foot or with a handcycle is not an easy feat. We’re extremely proud of each participant for pushing themselves to achieve this momentous goal while striving to thrive in their active and healthy lifestyles.”
Celebrating more than 11 years of service, Hope For The Warriors assists veterans, service members and military families with a variety of programming including clinical health and wellness, sports and recreation, community and military relations and transition services.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook or Twitter.
About Hope For The Warriors :
Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for post 9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served more than 13,000 through a variety of support programs focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement and connections to community resources. The nonprofit’s first program, A Warrior’s Wish, has granted 169 wishes to fulfill a desire for a better quality of life or support a quest for gratifying endeavors. In addition, Run For The Warriors has captured the hearts of more than 22,000 since 2010. For more information, visit https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/, Facebook or Twitter.
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