CT Trial Firm To Sponsor Race To Fill The Pantry 5K

Press release from Connecticut Trial Firm LLC:

Oct. 24, 2021

The Connecticut Trial Firm located in Glastonbury, Connecticut has recently announced its renewed sponsorship of the 2021 Race to Fill the Pantry 5K. This collaboration has been a focus of the firm’s since its inception in 2013 and is part of the its overarching approach to community giving.

“I am passionate about running. I am also passionate about ensuring that the sport is made accessible to anyone and everyone who has an interest,” says firm Founder, Ryan McKeen. “We are so excited to be part of the team that is working to bring these opportunities to our community while empowering athletes.”

Ryan recently sat down with Erin Spaulding, the Connecticut Chapter President of Achilles International, an organization that is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities pursue athletic endeavors. Founded in 1976 by Dick Traum, the first amputee to complete the New York City Marathon, Achilles works with organizations such as the Glastonbury River Runner’s Club to ensure that events, like the upcoming 5K, are accessible to all participants.

Erin discovered Achilles after having suffered a traumatic brain, neck, and shoulder injury that turned her life and her ability to continue to participate in triathlons and half marathons upside down. During her recovery at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, someone handed Erin a brochure about Achilles.

“That person told me that Achilles was going to help me get back into the game again. I didn’t believe it, I’m pretty sure that I threw the brochure out,” said Erin. “Eventually I got out of my own way and two years following my accident, I went down to their signature race, holding onto a walker and I encountered people who looked like me.”

That support and acceptance served as a catalyst to Erin’s participation in various events and ultimately, her involvement with the organization. It was through these experiences that she realized the importance of making these races accessible to individuals of all abilities and today, she is accredited with bringing the cause to our great state.

The Race to Fill the Pantry will be held on Sunday, November 7 at Riverfront Park in Glastonbury. Participants will have the option to take part in the 5K or the “Two-Miler” and be asked to adhere to all social distancing guidelines. This year’s beneficiaries include the Glastonbury Food Pantry and the Glastonbury/East Hartford Magnet School.

You can sign up for the race here: https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Glastonbury/RacetoFillThePantryPresentedByCTTrialFirm and learn more about the event via CT Trial Firm’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

This press release was produced by Connecticut Trial Firm LLC. The views expressed here are the author's own.