Dick, an above the knee amputee began running in the mid-1970s. A business entrepreneur, with a successful computer applications company, Dick realized he needed to do something about his sedentary lifestyle. He joined the West Side YMCA and found his passion in running. From a mile, he progressed to a 5-mile race in Central Park.
Buoyed by his success, five months later, he ran his first marathon, and became the first amputee to run 26.2 miles. There was no looking back. In 1983, he founded the Achilles Track Club, currently known as Achilles International.
Dick has a BS, MBA, and Ph. D. from New York University and lives in Manhattan. He’s been married for 40+ years and has a married son and a granddaughter.
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HISTORY
1976
Dick Traum, an above-the-knee amputee, completes the New York City Marathon, the first amputee to do so
1977
An article about Dick Traum appears in Runner’s World. The story inspires Terry Fox, a young Canadian amputee suffering from cancer, to embark on a cross country run across Canada to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Terry ultimately lost his battle to the disease in 1981 but his legacy lives on in a series of Terry Fox races.
1983
Dick founds Achilles Track Club, and six members complete the NYC Marathon
1984
The Vermont Chapter is founded, the first chapter outside New York
1985
The first International Chapter, New Zealand, is founded
1988
The first Achilles Handicap 10K Race in Central Park
1991
Achilles hosts its first annual Tribute Dinner
1995
Achilles Kids is founded, kicked off with the “Race Around New York” virtual marathon
2001
The inaugural Achilles Marathon in Brooklyn
2003
Achilles launches the Hope & Possibility 5 mile run, a race that gives awards for achievement in multiple disabled categories and includes both able-bodied and disabled runners. The event’s name is taken from Achilles founding Board Chair, Trisha Meili’s book, “I Am the Central Park Jogger – A Story of Hope and Possibility”
2004
Dick Traum & Mary Bryant visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. to speak to the first group of Freedom Team runners. Later that year 34 wounded veterans came to New York City to run the 5 mile Hope and Possibility race.
2006
The first Hope & Possibility race outside NY takes place, in Minneapolis, MN 2006 – Founding of ‘Skills for Positive Change’, a program for people living with diabetes.
2007
Achilles celebrates participation in 25 years of the NYC Marathon.
2008
New York Governor David Paterson runs in the Hope & Possibility race, guided by Trisha Meili.
2010
Prince Harry of Wales, Cindy and Megan McCain, and Heather Mills join over 5000 participants in the 8th Annual Achilles Hope & Possibility. It was also the 1st year the H&P was an ING NYC Marathon Qualifying Race.
And more and more Good News!
Team InTandem helping those challenged have fun on a InTandem Bike, in Central Park, NY. Join them on Saturdays, change your life! With LOVE, Click Here for Videos & Podcasts…