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Whale Run 2019
Whale Run 2019
Coffee and Movement
Athletes have long appreciated the many helpful properties of coffee. As a pre-race ritual, a hot cup of coffee gets the blood flowing and puts a spring in your step. After a hard workout, the capillary dilation effects of caffeine help aid in recovery, increasing blood flow to tired muscles. Here at Thanksgiving Coffee, we believe in the magic of coffee and we know that it can be so much more than just a morning beverage— it can be a true medium for change.
Zachary Friedley was born missing his right leg above the knee, but that has never stopped him from being a natural-born athlete. Participating in wrestling, football, and baseball, Zachary is now pursuing his dream of competing in the 2020 Paralympic games in Tokyo as part of the track and field team. His goal is to spread awareness for his new non-profit organization, The Mendocino Movement Project, whose mission is to provide prosthetics to landmine survivors and those suffering from limb loss in developing countries.
Thanksgiving Coffee was proud to provide coffee for the athletes at this year’s Fort Bragg Whale Run and sponsor Zach for his very first 5k race. A fundraising event for the local Soroptimist group, the Whale Run celebrated it’s 35th year on the town’s brand new coastal trail.
With support from Thanksgiving Coffee’s Brand Manager and accomplished marathoner, Marchelo Bresciani, Zach ran his farthest distance to date. As a world class sprinter, Zach never imagined how much he would enjoy the 5k distance and seeing just how far he could go. Now, he is pursuing more events and 5k races around the country to share his story and promote movement throughout the community. >A recipient of this year’s Challenge Athlete Foundation Grant, Zach is gearing up to receive a new leg later this month. He can’t wait to hit the ground running and start posting new personal records.
Thanksgiving coffee is proud to support Zach and his efforts to bring the Mendocino Movement Project to life. Follow him on his adventures this summer and keep an eye out for a special package of Mendocino Movement Project Coffee in the months ahead.