Run4Dre

Andre “Dre” Travis is 38 years old and was born with Cerebral Palsy. He receives full time care from Growing Wings Adult Services, but that hasn’t limited him to a full life. He doesn’t take no for an answer, and will continue to push himself and others to what he defines as success. Dre is a motivational speaker who instills in kids to not let anyone define their limits. That anything is possible. Alongside motivational speaking, he’s a poet, and also will be releasing an album soon. Dre started competing in races back in 2013 with the assistance of Jason “Zeke” Petrie. Zeke was a caretaker/driver for Dre and wanting to get into better shape, decided to start pushing Dre in his wheelchair for additional fitness. Dre fell in love with the freedom of going fast. He often said he felt like flying. Dre and Zeke competed in multiple marathons and triathlons together over a 3 year span.

In 2016, Zeke, along with 4 other Barberton High School graduates started pushing Dre as a relay team. Run4Dre was formed and consisted of Duane Milford, Brian Bidlingmyer, Dean Jones, Zeke Petrie, and Alan Bittinger. In 2019, Mike Mattingly was added to the mix as an alternate when Zeke could not compete. The team has been blessed to be a small part of getting Dre across finish lines in the jogging stroller being used, but wanted something better for him. However, funding just wasn’t falling into place. Leading up to the 2019 Akron Marathon, the team was introduced to Brent and Lucas Ransom. Brent would be pushing his son Lucas in a wheelchair for the marathon. When the team saw the Blade Hoyt racing chair that the Ransoms were going to use, admittedly, we became a bit jealous and knew that we needed to get one.

After the Akron Marathon, and leaning a bit on the funding success that Brent and Lucas received, funding for a new chair took shape quickly. With the assistance of leftover funds from Brent and Lucas, additional help from The Barberton Community Foundation for allowing some funds to transfer, and a quick fundraising sprint, money for a new Blade for Run4Dre was secured. The Blade was christened at the Youngstown Marathon where Jeff Chalmers, a 9 time Boston Marathon veteran, would attempt to qualify himself and Dre as a duo team for the 2021 Boston Marathon. Jeff had previously pushed Dre at the Akron Marathon in 2015, but hadn’t pushed him since. Qualifying and racing in the Boston Marathon has been a dream of Dre’s, and knowing that Jeff would be his pusher gave him the confidence that this could be the year that it finally happened. With a finish time of 3:17:04, Dre and Jeff posted a qualifying time for the 2021 Boston Marathon. Jeff will be running Boston for the 10th time in 2020 on his own, but will return in 2021 as Dre’s engine. Run4Dre looks forward to being there to support and cheer them on in 2021! Jeff said after the Youngstown race that the qualifying time would not have happened if not for pushing the Blade. With the Blade on hand, our team looks forward to more runs, more marathons, and more inclusive running in general. Being a small part of Dre’s journey is a blessing for all.