Blind runner seeks donations to travel to 5K nationals
Deb Conley in Colorado has written an appeal to the organization that oversees sports for the blind in America — USABA. Deb is the guide runner for W45 sprinter/runner Luanne Burke. Deb and Luanne are looking for donations so Luanne can travel to the USATF National Disability 5K Cross Country Championship at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, N.Y. Luanne isn’t the only blind sprinter in America. Joe Aukward in the Washington, D.C., area competed in his 40s with the national blind relay team at the Paralympic Games.
Here is Deb’s appeal:
Hello Executive Staff – USABA,
I am the guide runner for Luanne Burke. She is 47 and has been racing track races in Colorado this summer and placing against able bodied females in her age group. In this summer’s Rocky Mountain Master Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she placed 3rd in the 800 yards with a time 3:05, 2nd in the 1500 meters with a time of 6:11, and 3rd in the 100 meter (ran without a guide) in 17.26. Her times have improved in every race this summer. Most remarkable, is
that her running career just started 4 months ago.
Do you have any funding available to help her and a guide runner with travel expenses to race in the 2008 USATF National Disability 5 km Cross Country Championship? Travel would be from Denver to NY. This would be the first time for her to compete in running with other visually impaired athletes.
Currently, no records are kept for master (over 40) blind track and field athletes and cross country athletes.
As Luanne talks about her experience to other blind athletes, many have expressed a wish to be involved in a running program. Sometimes it takes a pioneer to get others motivated to take part in activities. She inspires all who watch her race!
It’s short notice, but if you have any funding that can help Luanne compete in this race, it would be much appreciated.
Also, this championship has individual and team scoring.
You may have other athletes who may wish to compete for the team title (separate men’s and women’s title). More Information can be found on usatf.org, under calendar National Championships.
USATF = United States Track and Field I have attached some pictures of her and her guide from the Pearl Street Mile in Boulder Colorado.
The race is: October 5, 2008
Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park, N.Y.
This event is open to all ambulatory athletes regardless of disability and level of ability. Whether you are sight impaired, hearing impaired, an amputee, developmentally challenged, or anything else not listed here, come and compete in this one-of-a-kind championship event with other athletes like you from around the country and world.
Luanne Burke’s email: rubylu22@msn.com
Thanks you so much for consideration!
Deb Conley
Here are shots of Deb and Luanne:
3 Responses
USABA (United States of American
Blind Athletes) and the Paralympics responded that they have no funding at this time.
Blog readers have contacted Luanne Burke asking how they could make a contribution.
Contributions can be made through Cdiffernt at http://www.Cdifferent.org. Please specify Luanne Burke as the designated athlete.
Luanne thanks everyone for the support received!
You know what, that’s really great that Deb Conley can be such an active part of running. Too bad her focus on that doesn’t take away from her verbal, outright lies on her previous husband, not to mention her poor parenting of her child. She has had her previous husband going through the court system for 11 years, all at the expense of their child, and all of it lies!! She’s a wench, and good for you all for being able to put up with her. She should be fried for what she’s done to her child.
The blind leading the blind!
Leave a Reply