From The Cover: Achilles International Nashville: Building Community and Resilience Through Adaptive Athletics
About Achilles International
Founded in 1983, Achilles International is a global organization that now has chapters in 18 countries. The organization's mission is to transform the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection.
Meet the Leadership Team
Amy Harris, Executive Director
Amy brings a background in Early Childhood Special Education and Pediatric Rehabilitation to her role at Achilles. She has spent her career focused in these areas, mostly working in non-profits. After serving as Achilles Nashville Assistant Director, she stepped into the Executive Director position in 2017. Outside of Achilles, Amy enjoys running and spending time with her family, including three daughters, two sons-in-law, six grandsons, two dogs, a cat – and horses on the horizon.
Sara "Lizzy" Harris, Assistant Director
Lizzy, who has cerebral palsy, is an active handcycle athlete. She has served as Achilles Nashville Assistant Director since 2017. She is an accomplished athlete who has completed multiple 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons. When not training or working with Achilles, she loves spending time with family and reading.

For more than a decade, Achilles Nashville has been bringing together athletes with and without disabilities to support each other in reaching their fitness goals. But according to Executive Director Amy Harris and Assistant Director Sara "Lizzy" Harris, the program's impact goes far beyond physical fitness.
The program welcomes athletes of all abilities, as well as volunteers who want to serve as guides. Many guides come from local universities' special education, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs. Others are runners who spot the distinctive neon yellow Achilles team shirts on the greenway or at races and want to get involved.
Breaking Ground: How did you first get involved with Achilles Nashville?
Amy: Lizzy and I were at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati (me as a runner, Lizzy as a spectator) where we noticed several athletes with disabilities running with guides. Upon our return to Nashville, we began to investigate sports groups that supported athletes with disabilities in running and found that Achilles-International had recently started a chapter in Nashville. Lizzy thought it would be fun to participate in this group together. While this was a great fit for my background and my love of running, I was a bit skeptical how she would take to this activity long-term. But we reached out and were welcomed by founders Sarah Hart and Melanie Yappen, and 12 years later we are still actively involved.

What is a guide?
Guides are volunteers who partner with athletes with disabilities during training and races. Depending on the athlete's needs, guides may:
- Run alongside using a tether
- Provide verbal cues about the route and surroundings
- Offer encouragement and support
- Help navigate race crowds and water stations
BG: What drew you to stay involved with the organization?
We were drawn to this organization primarily to participate in a fun fitness activity together as Achilles serves people with disabilities to participate in mainstream running. (We define running to include any forward movement, such as walking or using a handcycle or racing wheelchair.) People join Achilles for many reasons and with many goals: to improve physical strength, build confidence, or pursue a specific goal.
But what we have found is that something else happens at Achilles. People find with us a sense of friendship, encouragement, and community.
Over the years we have served with Achilles, we have met and witnessed athletes and guides from all walks of life coming together. Each one has a unique story and reason for being there.
What is running?
When Achilles talks about "running," they mean any form of forward movement - whether that's walking, using a handcycle, pushing a racing wheelchair, or traditional running. The goal is inclusive participation, not a specific form of movement.

BG: Can you share some examples of the program's impact?
Theresa was the first athlete to join our local chapter in 2012 and she continues to participate today. For years, she had lived near the Rock and Roll Marathon course, cheering on runners, and dreaming of completing a marathon herself. Her hopes were shattered when she lost her vision, until she connected with Achilles and learned to run using a tether supported by a sighted guide.

What is a tether?
A tether is a short rope or strap that connects a runner who is blind or has low vision to their sighted guide. This allows the guide to help direct movement while both athletes run independently.
Since then, Theresa has completed five full marathons, including the NYC marathon, along with countless shorter races, ranging from half-marathons to 5Ks.
She most recently ran the Chattanooga Seven Bridges Race with approximately 60 members of Achilles on their annual race travel trip.
Then there is Allan, who joined us about two years ago as a high school student on the autism spectrum. He was not a runner and not particularly interested in the group at first. He would come to practices and not want to engage or talk to anyone. He has over the past couple of years shown so much growth, having run multiple marathons. He has grown not only in his fitness, but noticeably in his social skills. He comes to practice eager to greet everyone, he goes on the travel trips with the group, and he genuinely looks forward to the time spent as a community.
How long is a marathon?
Ever wonder how far these races really are? A marathon covers 26.2 miles - that's about the distance from downtown Nashville to Franklin! A half marathon is exactly what it sounds like: half that distance at 13.1 miles. A 10K (6.2 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) are popular entry-level distances that help athletes build confidence and endurance.
BG: How can people get involved?
Amy: The easiest way to get started is to reach us via the Achilles email at achillesnashville@gmail.com or complete an athlete or volunteer form through our Achilles International website at achillesinternational.org/get-involved.
We meet every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at McCabe Park Community Center in Nashville. While we're currently Tennessee's only chapter, athletes from other areas can participate in races listed on our website at achillesnashville.org. We also host an annual Hope & Possibility® run, with both 1-mile and 5-mile options.
The most important thing to know is that everyone has a place here. We welcome people at whatever level they want to be included.
Photos compliments of Achilles Nashville, Amy (Director) & Lizzy (Assistant Director)
Get Involved with Achilles Nashville
- Weekly practices: Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
- Location: McCabe Park Community Center, 101 46th Avenue North, Nashville
- Email: achillesnashville@gmail.com
- Web: achillesinternational.org/get-involved