Welcome to
WILL POWERAchilles Long Island's Monthly Newsletter
January 2026 Edition
Happy New Year!
Make 2026 your best year yet!
Make 2026 your best year yet!
Happy January Birthdays
Happy Birthday to all our
January 2026 birthdays!
(If we missed your birthday, please let us know!)
Santa Rosario
Andrew Dilger
Emily Machida
Gianna Lavacca
Suzanne Corrie Del-Sid
Lauren Clark
Kathryn Kilpatrick
Katie Lyons
Vanessa Mechem
Jesse Perkins
Andrew Mo
Nick Lavacca
Anthony Urbano
Carmela Folan
2025 CHARLIE PLASKON AWARD
The Charlie Plaskon Award is presented each year to the Achilles Long Island athlete who, throughout the year, demonstrates Charlie's limitless spirit and his courage, grit and passion
This year, the Charlie Plaskon Award goes to Roosevent Mooring
This year, the Charlie Plaskon Award goes to Roosevent Mooring
Roosevelt was one of A L I's very first athletes. Coming from the N Y C chapter, he helped us get organized and figure out which end was up. We wouldn't be who we are today without him. Over the years, he has personally trained more guides than any one person should have to and he does it all with generocity and grace.
Roosevelt personifies the Achilles' spirit and embodies Charlie's passion and grit and we could not be more pleased to present him with this award.
Congratulations, Roosevelt!
Roosevelt personifies the Achilles' spirit and embodies Charlie's passion and grit and we could not be more pleased to present him with this award.
Congratulations, Roosevelt!
January 2026
Saturday January 3 - workout at Cedar Creek Park
Saturday January 10 - workout at Cedar creek park
Sunday, January 11 - winter run series at Heckscher state park
Saturday January 17 - workout at Cedar Creek Park
Sunday, January 18 - winter run series at Robvert Moses Park
Saturday, January 24 - Icebreaker Marathon, half and 5K
Sunday, January 25 - winter run series at Sunken Meadow state park
Saturday, January 31 - workout at Cedar Creek Park
February 2026
Sunday February 1 - winter run series at Jones Beach
Saturday February 7 - workout at Heckscher state park
Saturday February 14 - workout at Cedar Creek Park
Saturday, February 21 - workout at cedar creek park
Saturday, February 28 - workout at sunken meadow state Park
Monthly Team BreakfastJanuary's breaksfast will be on Saturday, January third and February's will be on Saturday, February 14th following our workout at Cedar Creek Park.
East Bay Diner, 3360 Merrick Road, Seaford. One block east of the entrance to Cedar Creek Park. Can't make the workout? Join us anyway for breakfast at 9:15.
The application window for the 2026 Cordani Family Grant is now open through January 14, 2026. The Cordani Family Grant provides funding opportunities to both athlete and athlete-guide teams to help cover costs for select Achilles destination races. For more details and to apply, please go to the Cordani Family Grant program HERE
A number of A L I athletes have already received monies through this grant program.
Tandem captains and guide riders: Thank you for everyone who responded to our call for Tandem Captains. In addition to our existing collection of bikes, we have a number of new tandems joining the peloton in 2026- Roosevelt has a new ride, Melchoin got some new wheels and Pasquale has a trusty steed. Additional training and ride information will be coming your way in the spring.
Weekly Workouts
Come join us, bring a friend
Saturday Mornings - Cedar Creek Park starting at 8amCome join us, bring a friend
Cedar Creek Park
3340 Merrick Road
Seaford, NY 11783
Meet by Matt the Cyclist statue which is directly across from parking field 4
Thursday Evenings - Rotary Park
33 Candee Avenue
Sayville, NY 11782
If you are a new athlete or guide, feel free to just show up to any workout and/or scheduled event - you will be paired with an experienced Achilles member. Just look for the bright yellow shirts.
All are welcomed!
No Picture? It didn't happen!
Jingle Bell 5K
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Ho Ho Ho 5k
 |  |  That's not a mistake or a duplicate picture - Bradley took the podium in both the Jingle bell and Ho Ho Ho |
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Saturday Morning Workouts
5th annual celebration dinner
Team ALI celebrated all the accomplishments of 2025 at our 5th Annual Celebration Dinner - an evening of fun and fellowship, laughter and love - and some prizes.
Team ALI celebrated all the accomplishments of 2025 at our 5th Annual Celebration Dinner - an evening of fun and fellowship, laughter and love - and some prizes.
Quick year in review:
- We held over 60 workouts at Cedar Creek (Saturdays), Sayville (Thursdays), Open Water Swims (Sundays - thanks Nick), bike rides and even a karate class.
- 40+ races including the Winter/Summer Run Series, LI Marathon Series, Achilles Hope & Possibility, TOBAY Triathlon, Cow Harbor, NYC Marathon (29 runners!), our inaugural Achilles Long Island 4K/8K and a boat load of 5K's
- One-on-one, mid-week work outs that consisted of marathon training, tandem rides, exercise classes, hiking, mid-week runs and swim lessons.
- Thanks to Kyle we started our Monthly Breakfast at the diner
- Joint bike rides with Third Eye Insights, and
- A presentation on nutrition courtesy of Kelly Rini.
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From all of us at Achilles Long Island
Help support Team Achilles Long Island
Achilles International Long Island is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, all of our guides are volunteers. We are self-supporting through the generosity of our local community and friends. Your donations allow us to continue our mission of helping transform the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connections. Won't you please consider donating today.
Thank you for your support!
Team Achilles Long Island