children
Mackenzie Kay Walters
Born Memphis, TN
Hannah Park Walters
Parker Walters
Jordan Leigh Walters
From http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/other_sports/article/0,1426,MCA_1757_4713828,00.html
1,600 to line up Sunday in Memphis in May Triathlon
By Bryan Brasher
Contact
May 20, 2006
When competitors begin Sunday's Memphis in May Triathlon, spectators should have no trouble spotting Reed Walters of Eads, Tenn., among the field of 1,600 participants.
In his words, he'll be "wearing obnoxious yellow shoes and riding an obnoxious yellow bike." He'll also be wearing a white shirt with the words "Team Fox" written in fluorescent red and orange.
Walters is dedicating his efforts to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research -- and like the celebrity who inspired the foundation, Walters wants his work to be highly visible.
Through donations, he hopes to raise $10,000 for disease research.
"It's been easy to follow Michael J. Fox because he's so public about his own struggle with Parkinson's and his foundation's search for a cure," said Walters, a financial advisor for UBS Financial Services in Memphis. "He's continued to stay in the public eye to draw attention to the disease. That means so much to people whose lives have been affected by Parkinson's."
More than 6 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease -- a degenerative neurological disorder with symptoms that typically progress from mild tremors to complete physical incapacitation.
Members of Walters' family know the disease all too well.
His grandfather, Dr. Robert Park Jr. of Reno, Nev., died from Parkinson's in 1989 and donated his body to science for Parkinson's research. Reed's wife Tonya lost her great aunt, Ben Jeter Longmire of Arlington, to the disease, and Walters' father, David Walters of Miami, is in the early stages of Parkinson's disease now.
Walters said a 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run seemed like the least he could do if he can honor the memory of his lost loved ones and help seek a cure for his father all at once.
"This is new to me," Walters said. "I started tinkering with triathlons last summer, and I did a sprint triathlon. This will be my first Olympic distance triathlon, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."
Walters has already raised $7,500 of his $10,000 target sum and hopes to reach his goal by the end of the competition or shortly after. His efforts have been boosted by two major corporate sponsors -- Memphis Pool Supply Company and UBS Financial Services -- and by guidance from the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The foundation set up a web page devoted to Walters' efforts where people can learn about his family and make credit-card donations at www.my.teamfox.org/reedwalters.
Donations can also be sent to Reed Walters, 430 South Houston Levee Road, Eads, Tenn., 38028. Checks should be made payable to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
"The event is in a few days, and the last home stretch is always the hardest when you're trying to raise money like this," Walters said. "After the race is over, there won't be as much of an incentive for people to donate. So I'd like to get the word out as much as I can."
As for the event, Walters knows he'll have his endurance tested like never before -- especially since he's suffering from a degenerative disc in his lower lumbar region that causes his toes to fall asleep while he's on his bike.
But with his father from Miami in the crowd, Walters hopes to ignore the pain and make a good showing.
"I'm trying not to get too caught up in times, but I also am competitive," Walters said. "The pros will finish in just under two hours. I'm hoping to finish in about 2:30. More than anything, though, I just want to raise money for research and help get the word out about this disease."
-- Bryan Brasher: 529-2343
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MEMPHIS IN MAY TRIATHLON
When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: Edmund Orgill Park in Millington
Details: More than 1,600 pro and amateur athletes from around the world are expected to compete in the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and the 10K run event. The bike course is flat and the run is moderately hilly. Average water temperature is between 65 to 75 degrees.
After the race, a hospitality tent will be available with barbecue and a DJ and band. During the awards ceremony, winners will receive $20,000 in cash and prizes.
For information: Visit www.mimtri.racesonline.com
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