Think Differently Dash gives everyone a chance
Jonathan Brunot will put on his Superman shirt on Saturday.
It has become his costume for events this special.
“It’s almost like his official jersey,” his older brother Verlaine Brunot said. “He loves it.”
The event is the inaugural Think Differently Dash, a part of the second-annual Walkway Marathon. The 1-mile run, which starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, opens the weekend-long extravaganza. The festivities include the Health and Wellness Expo at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, and the marathon, half-marathon and Treetops to Rooftops 5-kilometer races on Sunday.
There are a number of road delays Saturday and Sunday, detailed in the box below.
READ MORE:Walkway Marathon returns with more races, same excitement
Although the 1-mile run/walk celebrates individuals with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities, it is open to everyone.
Jonathan Brunot falls into the former category.
The 27-year-old Wappingers Falls resident has severe autism. Yet, that hasn’t slowed him down when it comes to running. He's completed 18 marathons since picking up the sport nine years ago, including the last eight Boston Marathons and last year's full Walkway Marathon. He'll run that again, too, on Sunday.
Verlaine Brunot said despite his brother’s limits, he excels.
“People are impressed with him and his achievements,” Verlaine Brunot said. “He’s running for the pure joy of it. It’s a part of him. We were able to find his niche that way, and he’s very excited about it.”
And he has reason to be.
The Think Differently Dash’s main objective is to incorporate everyone.
“The Walkway Marathon Race Series is all about inclusiveness and bringing people and families together for healthy recreational activities in the heart of the Hudson Valley. This race makes good on our promise to provide an opportunity for everyone in our community to participate,” said Walkway Executive Director Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart in a statement on the Walkway’s website.
Verlaine Brunot credited Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro for supporting this initiative.
And to Molinaro, the dash is a “moment of pride," being that anyone and everyone can compete.
“Regardless of ability, we’re all the same,” said Molinaro, who is participating in the dash. “We want to be included. Individuals with special abilities want an opportunity to compete and achieve. So to have the Think Differently Dash a part of the run is just one more chance for families and individuals, regardless of ability, to participate, compete and succeed.”
Molinaro knows first-hand. Like Jonathan Brunot, his 12-year-old daughter, Abigail, is on the autism spectrum.
“As a parent of a child with special needs, I can tell you, we always look for a chance to be included with everyone else; to be able to participate in all of the activities and experiences other families get to participate in,” Molinaro added. “The message of the Think Differently Dash is just that — inclusion and acceptance.”
That’s what’s important to the Brunot family.
Verlaine Brunot called the dash “amazing” and “groundbreaking.” He is now hopeful it will paint a clearer picture for the community in terms of recognizing folks with disabilities.
“It’s key to help a community understand people with disabilities,” Brunot said. “They have every right to enjoy every aspect of life, as we do.”
A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports
Walkway Marathon
Follow online
Journal reporters and photographers will be all over the race courses Saturday and Sunday, providing live updates. Get their latest observations and photos, and join the conversation, by using #WalkwayMarathon on Twitter.
Visit www.poughkeepsiejournal.com throughout Sunday for a live updating story, video interviews and a photo gallery. While on the site, check out the Journal's extensive preview coverage of the event.
Saturday schedule
Think Differently Dash
What: A 1-mile race for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities
Where/when: Packet Pick up 8:45-9:45 a.m. at the Crannell Street Parking Area in the City of Poughkeepsie. Race starts on Main Street near Hudson Valley Office Furniture, continues west on Main to turnaround point near Commercial Park, heads east to a second turnaround point at Hudson Valley Office Furniture and continues west to finish line arch at Commercial Park.
Health and Wellness Expo
What: Expo with more than 50 vendors where registration packets can be picked up.
Where: Mid-Hudson Civic Center
When: Noon-8 p.m.
Saturday traffic and parking
Traffic: Between 6 a.m. and noon, Main Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Hamilton to Market streets (and no parking is allowed here); Academy Street will be closed northbound from Cannon to Main streets; Catharine Street will be closed southbound from Mill to Main streets.
Parking: All parking for this event will be in the Crannell Street parking area, beginning at 8 a.m.
Sunday schedule
Sunday, June 12, 7:30 a.m., Treetops to Rooftops 5K run (begins at Highland side of Walkway and ends at Marist)
Sunday, June 12, 6:45 a.m., Walkway Half Marathon, 13.1 miles (begins and ends at Marist)
Sunday, June 12, 6:45 a.m., Walkway Marathon, 26.2 miles (begins and ends at Marist)
Sunday traffic and spectators
The race is partly on Town of Poughkeepsie streets, needed to connect the staging and finish-line areas at Marist College to the rest of the course on the Walkway and rail trail. While no roads will be closed, motorists should expect delays on Fulton Street, Fairview Avenue and West Cedar Street from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. From 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., there will be a designated 10-foot running lane on the eastbound side of Fairview Avenue marked with cones.
From 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Walkway Over the Hudson will be open to pedestrians and spectators, but pets, bikes, strollers, roller skates, skateboard and scooters will be restricted.
From 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Dutchess Rail Trail, and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail from the Walkway's west approach to 9W, will both be closed to the general public for the race. Spectators must stay in designated viewing areas:
— Start/finish line at Marist College
— The Morgan Lake Trailhead at 31 Creek Road in Poughkeepsie (the only designated viewing area before half-marathon runners turn around)
— The LaGrange Trailhead at 31 Old Manchester Road, next to Route 55
— 258 Titusville Road, near the Gold’s Gym entrance
— 18 Diddell Road in Wappingers Falls, adjacent to Route 376