Organizers Hope 5K Race Will 'Inspire' People of All Abilities

Intimidated by a 5K race?

Don’t be, say the organizers of the I Will Inspire 5K race.

“That’s what really makes this different from other races,” said Mandy Manno, a member of the GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club and a race organizer. “We’re reaching out to folks who would not be average attendees.”

The event will be held Feb. 18 at Telecom Park.

Manno, of New Tampa, said the event is a tribute to one of her neighbors, wounded Marine Lt. Col. Ty Edwards. Edwards gets around in a wheelchair but is a former runner and triathlete. The two met in 2010 and bonded over their interest in running.

Edwards had ben shot in the head in Afghanistan in 2008 and is in rehab to hopefully walk again one day, according to ABC Action News.

Manno said she remembers discussing with Edwards about how she wanted to complete a triathlon one day. Edwards told her to wait and then brought out triathlon books for her, telling her he would no longer be needing them. 

“I came home with a lump in my throat,” Manno said of the exchange, adding she also came away inspired.

The event, which includes a 1-mile fun run, will benefit the I Will Foundation and Operation Helping Hand of Tampa to help wounded warriors and their families.

Manno, who is co-chairing the event with woman’s club member Catherine Pacifici, was inspired by Edwards to make this 5K a reality.

Edwards will take part in the race using a wheelchair. Matt Long of the I Will Foundation is scheduled to take part in the race, too. Long’s book, “The Long Run,” is an account of a New York City firefighter who was able to hit the road running again after being run over by a bus and going through intense rehab.

The I Will Inspire 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Telecom Park, which is off Fletcher Avenue and just west of I-75.  

More Information

To register, visit www.iwillinspire.com on the web.

For more information about the New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club, visit http://gfwcnewtampajuniors.org/.