General Motors partnered with engineering students from Michigan Technological University to help the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans prepare for Sunday’s 36th annual Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon.
Student athletes helped prep the athletes’ hand cycles for the rigors of marathon competition. A technical workshop was held Saturday in the GM Wintergarden.
Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tom Davis, a long-time champion of the Achilles Team wounded during his service in Iraq, won the marathon’s handcyclist race for the third year in a row, in 1:12.38. Teammates Omar Duran and Helman Roman placed second and seventh, respectively.
“This team is truly an inspiration to us, and my work with the Achilles Freedom Team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” said Mark Degnan, GM North America dealer audit director, who has led GM’s support efforts.
GM began its partnership with the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans in 2010. The team was formed in 2004 by Achilles International to help wounded veterans from all service branches overcome injuries sustained as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – including amputations and paralysis – and rebuild their lives though athletics.