“Angels” Haley Peterson and Landan Perry push “Captain” Elias Kinsey during the My Team Triumph 5k at Winona Lake Park Saturday. (Photos by James Costello)

WINONA LAKE — Running a road race or competing in a triathlon may not sound like everyone’s idea of a fun way to spend a day. Which is why for those who are able-bodied enough to do so, it’s an easy thing to take for granted.

But some individuals who would like to participate in those kinds of activities are unable to do so. It’s the goal of My Team Triumph to help make those dreams a reality, and on Saturday, the organization’s Northern Indiana Chapter held its annual 5K at Winona Lake Park with that very mission in mind.

“What we’re trying to do is just to provide that opportunity, to get that awareness out, to let people know that this is what we’re doing. We’re changing lives,” explained the My Team Triumph Northern Indiana Chapter Executive Director Barb Martz. “It’s all about others. It’s not about you; it’s not about me. It’s about them and making them feel that they have that experience like we do. I was a racer myself for several years, and my new chapter is providing this opportunity for them.”

Daniel Kawka finishes up his race Saturday.

My Team Triumph is a national, non-profit ride-along program that provides persons with disabilities a chance to experience endurance races first-hand. “Captains” are individuals with disabilities who are seated in conversion chairs — modified wheelchairs that can be pushed during runs or hitched to bicycles and pulled during triathlons — and are the focus of events, while “Angels” are the athletes who use their physical abilities to do the pushing or pulling for the Captains. Other volunteers and donors also contribute their time and/ or money to make events like Saturday’s 5K possible, and, for those that get the chance to participate, it’s an experience to remember.

“It was really great. It felt like I was flying,” said Captain Daniel Kawka after the race. “The people with Team Triumph are good people. I really enjoyed myself.”

My Team Triumph first came to Indiana in October of 2015 after a friend of Martz’s witnessed a chapter participating in an Ironman Triathlon in Wisconsin and began asking how to get involved. The friend reached out to Martz, a special needs teacher at Warsaw High School, and asked if she’d like to help, and the rest is history.

Justina Faulkner crosses the finish line.

“She saw a group doing kind of what we’re doing, but it was at a triathlon… and then just started questioning. She kind of dug into it a little more, and then she was like ‘Hey, what do you think about this?’ I was like ‘That sounds awesome,’ and she’s like ‘OK, you’re the president,’” recalled Martz with a laugh.

“And here we are year three. It’s been awesome.”

Saturday’s event also featured a run-of-the-mill 5K race, and proceeds will go towards the My Team Triumph Northern Indiana Chapter to provide equipment like the Captains’ conversion chairs, which come with a $5,000 price tag each, said Martz.

Justine Faulkner was the overall winner, crossing the finish line in a time of 18:49.3, nearly a full minute ahead of 14-year-old Harrison Phipps’ 19:30.2 stop. Faulkner also ran in last year’s inaugural event after learning about it through Martz, an old friend and former high school basketball rival.

“It’s really neat to see all these kids out here. I used to play basketball with Barb (Martz) so that’s kind of how I know her. I think she does a great job putting this on, and the support she gets out here is amazing,” said Faulkner.

My Team Triumph is always looking for a helping hand, be it in the form of time, effort or donations. You can find them on the web at Myteamtriumph.org, or go directly to the 501(c)(3)’s Northern Indiana Chapter page at mtt-northernindiana.org.

“I think when people understand what we’re doing, they’re on board once they see what we’re about. It makes it very simple,” Martz said.

“We’re always trying to get people to help sponsor, fund, donate. You’re looking for time, treasure and talent, and usually someone has something to give you.”

Captain David Wallen walks across the finish line with some help from his team of Angels. From left to right, they are: Colton Wattrin, Tony Agulon, Justin Peconga, Chase Hinton and Greg VanDuesen. My Team Triump Northern Indiana Chapter Executive Director Barb Martz photographs Wallen at left.