Volunteer ‘angels’ lend their wings to disabled racers at Bay City’s St. Patrick’s Day races

BAY CITY, MI – The energy at Bay City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day races is intense. Thousands of runners and walkers push forward together with the same goal of making it to that finish line. But, if you pay attention, you’ll notice something downright miraculous in the pack each year.

A special set of heavenly volunteers are busy each year lending their wings to others at the St. Patrick’s Day races and other events across mid-Michigan. Donning bright smiles, volunteers dressed in red can be seen on the course each year helping and cheering on disabled racers in wheelchairs. That group is myTeam Triumph, an organization dedicated to making the race possible for those who usually would not have been able to participate.

“We allow people who would have a disability be able to participate in something like the St. Patrick’s race, which is such a huge undertaking for our community and involves so many people,” said organizer Deb Militello.

At myTeam Triumph, there are two main terms to know ‘angels’ and ‘captains’. Angels are athletes who dedicate their time and skills to help disabled racers, known as captains, across the finish lines.

“The main focus of the race experience is a captain and giving them this unique experience with inclusion in our community,” Militello said.

After becoming interested in the cause thanks to western Michigan chapter leader Rick Ayotte and later getting to see the organization in action at a race out in Las Vegas, Militello organized the Great Lakes Bay Region chapter of myTeam Triumph in 2016.

“I have a son who was born with muscular dystrophy,” she said. “And so, for me, myTeam Triumph combines everything that I’m passionate about. I’m passionate about running and physical activity and I’m passionate about children and giving back. And so when I saw this organization that combined all three, it was just very life-changing.”

The Bay City St. Patrick’s Day races are the group’s biggest event each year. For the 2023 races, myTeam Triumph will have 10 captains participating with their angels.

“St. Patrick’s is always our first race of the year and our biggest race,” Militello said. “We always do the St. Stan’s road race in Bay City, that was our very first race, so it’s kind of like back to our roots, it’s a very important race for us. “

Angels on the run

Being an angel takes a special kind of athlete. Instead of grabbing the spotlight, you get to lend that glory to someone else.

“It’s easy to give money but when you’re giving this, it’s not, you’re all in, you’re all in with that captain,” Militello said.

Mark Travis is one of those angels. He’s served as an angel for the past five years.

“It marries two things that I’m passionate about, running and service to the community and service to others,” he said. “And I think the opportunity to play a small part in helping somebody like achieve an accomplishment is super rewarding and incredibly powerful.”

Escorting a captain across the finish line is a team effort. Groups of three angels work with each captain to help make their race-day dreams a reality. He explained that one angel is usually pushing the special wheelchairs that the captain rides in while the second runs alongside cheerleading and the other keeps an eye out for potholes or strange curves in the course.

Travis credited the running community for being supportive of the group and their endeavors.

“One of the most incredible things about the running community is people are very supportive,” he said. “It’s one of the only sports where eon any given day, everybody can win

He added, “It’s a wonderful asset to the running community and wonderful resource for those of differing levels of ability, it gives them a chance to feel that race day energy, which is, it’s addictive almost.”

The connection between captains and angels does not stop on race day. Angels and captains tend to meet up to share dinner together or even participate in races year after year together.

“It’s very hard to put into words, even if you’re an angel, even if you’re a volunteer, the feelings that you get, the fulfillment because it’s not about you at that point,” Militello said. “You are giving and making this the best day possible for that captain.”

Captains in the lead

Getting to borrow their angels’ wings for the day makes such a profound impact on the captains. For racers like 19-year-old Brett Christensen, getting to race down the course each year

His mother Jennifer Christensen explained that he has a rare metabolic condition called glutaric aciduria type 1 which causes a protein deficiency. She explained that he suffered a seizure as an infant that damaged the part of his brain that told his muscles what to do.

But, despite his disability, he has been able to enjoy the races as a captain thanks to myTeam Triumph.

“It’s just a really great experience for Brett, he feels like a king, he feels like a captain,” Jennifer Christensen said. “They make it real special for these kids and these adults. It’s just a great program, something he wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”

She added that her son loves to get dressed up for the races. Last year, he dressed up as a pot of gold and his uncle ran next to him dressed up as a leprechaun.

“He runs that race and he gets to hear everybody cheer him on and he smiles real big and be dressed up real crazy and silly,” she said.

The group’s work also impacts the captains’ families by helping to develop a support network.

“You get to meet people in the community and it actually opens up a network with other parents like ourselves with others that may experience similar things,” Jennifer Christensen said.

How to help

Even if you’re not a runner, you can still help out. This year’s race will be held on Sunday, March 19 in downtown Bay City and the one thing that myTeam Triumph always can use is spectators.

“We are made up of captains, angels, the volunteers, donors, but we also just need the spectators,” Militello said. “We need people out there cheering.”

There are signs on each captain’s chair that have their name on it. So when the captain is going down the course with their angels, people can cheer directly for that racer and make the day feel even more special for them.

“They’ll be chanting the name and saying ‘good job’, it’s hardly 20 seconds going by without somebody cheering you on,” Travis said. “It’s really super positive, the energy is just contagious and wonderful.”

The best part? Being a spectator is free. It does not cost a penny to spread some good cheer on Sunday.

“Just for that captain to be cheered for so personally, that means so much to them,” Militello said. “So if anyone’s wondering hey, what can I do, how can I make a difference, just being there cheering for our captains makes a difference. It’s the little things. So everyone can be a part of it, everyone can make a difference.”

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