Goodwill Gears Up for Spring Training in Preparation for 2014 PigAbilities and Flying Pig Marathon!

Despite chilly temperatures and a tough winter season, Goodwill’s team of enthusiastic athletes is busy gearing up for the start of the 2014 PigAbilities training program in preparation for this year’s Flying Pig Marathon. PigAbilities is a training program within the Flying Pig Marathon for people with developmental disabilities who want support, instruction and encouragement to successfully walk, run or wheel in a marathon event. Through a FREE 8 week progressive training program sponsored by the CARA Group, each participant will set their own personal distance goal and work on it weekly through the training sessions. Athletes will also learn about good nutrition, the benefits of exercise and make new friends along the way. Ohio Valley Goodwill has had a team in the annual Flying Pig Marathon since its inception more than 15 years ago and the PigAbilities program offers the chance for athletes of all abilities to be part of the high- profile community event.

This year’s Spring training begins with an orientation session on Saturday, March 1st, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Gamble-Nippert YMCA located in Westwood. The YMCA is a new partner and sponsor of the PigAbilities event this year. Indoor training sessions will be held at the YMCA on Saturdays on March 8, March 15, March 22 and March 29 with a special Random Oink visit from the Flying Pig on the final indoor session on the 29th. Beginning in April, PigAbilities members will move to Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park on Riverside Drive. Outdoor training will be held on Saturday, April 5, April 12, April 19 and April 26. The final training session will feature another Random Oink and a celebratory PigAbilities picnic!

The PigAbilities training series offers an opportunity for interested persons to become a guide and support a participant. In 2013, Ohio Valley Goodwill had more than 10 guides that partnered with athletes to participate in the Flying Pig Marathon in May. Guides are encouraged to attend all training sessions and are required to register for the PigAbilities event. Official Race Day this year is Saturday, May 3rd! For more information about this year’s exciting PigAbilities event, contact caragroup@outlook.com or call (513) 884-1863.

PigAbilities was developed by The CARA Group, a local non-profit organization, in partnership with the Flying Pig Marathon. The goal of PigAbilities is to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by raising awareness of the benefits of physical exercise, good nutrition and healthy choices that can be life changing. To learn more about CARA, visit www.caragroup.org. Ohio Valley Goodwill is a founding member of The CARA Group and is an enthusiastic supporter and sponsor of the PigAbilities training event. Follow through your New Year’s resolution this year! Get healthy and join Goodwill in becoming part of the 2014 PigAbilities training sessions!