Iowa City group helps people with disabilities race

IOWA CITY — Tad Hulst and his wife Tammy always have been enthusiastic about running and helping those with disabilities.

Now, they are combining their passions by expanding a national non-profit into Iowa.

MyTEAM TRIUMPH strives to help the disabled to participate in athletic endurance events such as triathlons or road races. The Eastern Iowa chapter is the first in the state.

'It's kind of the perfect tie-in of what each of us does,' Tad said.

Tad is the manager of Running Wild in Cedar Rapids, and is the president of the new MyTEAM TRIUMPH chapter. Tammy is a service coordinator at Caring Hands & More in Iowa City and is vice president of the chapter.

Tad said he first heard of the non-profit when he was in his home state of Michigan, where there is a thriving chapter. He said he knew right away he wanted to bring the idea to Iowa.

'Running and triathlons ... are the one sport that's supposed to be all inclusive,' he said. 'So hopefully we're able to include everyone in what we feel is the greatest sport there is.'

Tad said the chapter's main focus is raising awareness and to gather donations.

'We have such a big population of people with disabilities in the area, I hope we open eyes to how we can help support them as a community,' he said. 'I think it's just a positive influence for them and for everyone who sees it.'

The group is planning on having a team run during the Iowa City Run for the Schools next month.

'We need as many volunteers (as possible) to make everything happen,' Tad said. 'We want to make sure we can give our captains and their families the VIP treatment on the day of the event.'

Disabled participants are called captains and are accompanied by three team members, who are called angels.

Tammy said her main job will be to recruit captains and angels.

'You just see the joy on their faces ... so I just am wanting to get them involved as much as possible,' she said.

When Tad first brought the idea to Jean Dwyer, co-owner of Running Wild, she said she thought it was the perfect cause for the store.

Dwyer said she hopes they can purchase a wheelchair for the races and eventually get a grant to fund a 'fleet of wheelchairs.'

'To include everybody in events, the whole idea, it's a no brainer ... to get involved in the community and touch everybody with running,' she said.