Roll With Cole Sport-A-Thon 2014

Fleet Feet Sports Richmond is proud to be a sponsor of the Roll With Cole Sport-A-Thon 2014! This fantastic cause benefits the Swim with Mike Scholarship Fund, which provides physically challenged athletes the opportunity to attend college and improve their future through education. Join us on August 9th to support Cole Sydnor and his team. But, don't take our word for it, read what Cole has to say about the event: 

‘Roll with Cole’ to Get Active for a Good Cause on August 9th

By Cole Sydnor

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy all your community has to offer. Fortunately, I grew up in Kings Charter, a neighborhood in Mechanicsville that supports healthy activities through its amenities, and I thrived in this environment. As a former athlete, I took full advantage of our playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, pools and weight room to keep me physically fit. However, since a diving accident three years ago, I don’t use our amenities like I once did but I still understand how important remaining active is to a healthy body, spirit, and mind. Now, I work out in a specialized gym with exercise physiologists trained to handle quadriplegics and others like me who have mobility issues.

Still, you don’t have to be an athlete with specialized equipment or experts to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle, the camaraderie it fosters, or the fresh air it offers your lungs. I invite you to come out to the first-annual RollwithCole Sport-A-Thon on Saturday, August 9th, and join my neighbors and friends as we compete and play in some fun activities, all while benefitting those who are physically challenged.

The RollwithCole Sport-A-Thon will be an action-packed winner for all ages. The Kings Charter, Milestone, and AshCreek neighborhoods are teaming up with me to host several exciting tournaments for many different age groups.

The Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will give kids aged nine through 35+ a chance to showcase their skills on the court, the Sand Volleyball Blast (4v4) will surely be a spectator favorite, the KC Open Mixed Doubles Tennis Challenge will feature three different levels of play (and the winners’ prize is spectacular), Cole’s Corn Hole offers a fun alternative – especially for those who don’t enjoy posting up under the basket anymore – and there will also be three Cool Swim-A-Thons throughout the day. The Community 5K for Runners and Walkers kick starts it all with a chance to run, walk and roll as one!

Try getting your “roll on” as you navigate a sport wheelchair in a race! And be sure to give the Free Throw competition a shot! There will be so much more to keep you active and entertained while earning some sweet prizes and, perhaps, even some bragging rights! You might even spy a Flying Squirrel from time to time...things could get “Nutzy”!

So, come to Hanover and get your body moving August 9! You can register at RollwithCole.org. I hope to see you out there!

A little about Cole's story:

"On August 11, 2011, Cole was with some friends on the James River and, after diving into the river, struck his head on a submerged rock. Fortunately, he was quickly noticed and pulled from the river. Cole suffered a "horrific" fracture of the spine leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. He initially went into traction at the Medical College of Virginia at VCU to align the vertebrae; then surgery to stabilize the spine. Once stabilized, Cole was airlifted to The Shepherd Center for 122 days of rehabilitation. Prayers, financial support, letters of encouragement and visits from friends were crucial to him during his recovery. After a year, Cole realizes his journey is far from over; he has much to accomplish in his life and is determined not to let this injury prevent him from achieving his goals. He works hard to recover as much physical function as he can and continues to push himself academically, as always. Cole is a special young man facing huge life challanges. He doesn't want to do this alone; he still needs your love and support and thrives on making his family, friends and amazing community proud of him. We thank God and everyone who has committed time, talent and treasure to restoring Cole. We are forever grateful and ask that you continue to Roll With Cole!"

-Excerpt from www.rollwithcole.org