Rachel’s Plate: A Story Of Enduring Athletes And The Volunteers Who Inspire Them.
At the 2006 Redman Triathlon event, as the clock rolled past the 17-hour mark, one lone athlete remained on the course. And one lone volunteer remained there with him, as determined to see him finish as he was struggling to do so.
That runner was Dan Little. That volunteer was Rachel Flesher. She drew messages of encouragement on paper plates and delivered them at key moments to see him through. These eleven years later, Rachel continues to endure as an inspiration not only to athletes, but to all volunteers who follow her. We commemorate Rachel’s inspiration and Dan’s determination each year with a unique trophy. Who will be recognized in 2017?
Rachel did not act alone. Dan had already hit his wall upon finishing the bike portion of the event. He was the last to finish and as he approached two race officials, he asked how to turn in his chip. “Don’t quit.” “You can do it.” That was the instructions he got. Dan insisted that he was too far behind. Their reply, “They won’t pull you out and you can do it. Just don’t quit. We know you can do it.” In a letter sharing his story, Dan explained that “Thanks to them, I got back on the bike and DID NOT QUIT.”
And as the course stretched out in front of him and the day grew long and dark, Dan Little stuck with it. That’s when he encountered Rachel and her timely messages. Rachel, true to the spirit of endurance sports, stuck with it, too. She began writing the messages that would energize Dan.
“The last ten miles on that beautiful night …your thoughtfulness and notes raised my state of mind to a wonderful celebration of life and time of thankfulness… What a privilege to be part of an endurance sport which is so much a state of mind and which can bring out the best of our human spirit.”
The words of those first officials were true. And Rachel carried them through. Dan was allowed to finish the event. Allowed to satisfy his goal. The event officials stuck with him, too, tending to his exhausted condition and making sure his recovery would go as smoothly as possible.
From that first event forward, Redman Triathlon has celebrated the challenge, the preparation and the athlete’s spirit. Rachel Flesher set the tone. Dan Little met his goal. As have hundreds and hundreds of athletes in the years since. Here in 2017, as we approach the 13th Redman Triathlon, honoring this tradition and an endurance athlete is one of the features that distinguish Redman Triathlon from all other events.
Redman volunteers know this story and stand ready to give encouragement, to share Rachel’s inspiration and to watch for that one athlete who exemplifies the determination and the spirit to see it through. We look forward to recognizing those enduring qualities again this year. And every year ahead.
#endurancematter. Fuel the mind. Fuel the body. Fuel the spirit.
