Joe Eldridge, a professional cyclist with Team Novo Nordisk, which is comprised of cyclists, triathletes and runners that are all living with diabetes, will be a pre-race motivational speaker before the D-Feet Diabetes 5K Walk/Run and 1 Mile Walk.
Eldridge will speak at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Ontario High School. The event is free and open to the public. Eldridge, who hails from Birmingham, Alabama, competes internationally on the first all-diabetes professional cycling team.
After Eldridge was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10, he quickly learned that in addition to eating well and taking insulin, exercise was one of the best ways for him to control his diabetes. While in college, Eldridge’s brother, one of his biggest advocates, challenged him to train for a triathlon. Joe accepted the challenge and soon realized how much he enjoyed cycling.
Eldridge took his passion for cycling a step further and began racing competitively which is when he met Phil Southerland, now the co-founder and CEO of Team Novo Nordisk. Eldridge enjoys being part of the Team Novo Nordisk pro cycling team as well as educating, empowering and inspiring those living with diabetes.
While Eldridge’s goals include winning more national championships and doing well in the criterium races (the races are less than a mile long) in America, his ultimate dream is to race in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. By sharing his personal story, he hopes others will see that they too can pursue their dreams.
OhioHealth MedCentral Hospitals presents the fourth annual D-Feet Diabetes 5K Walk/Run and 1 Mile Walk on Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m. Race day registration will begin at 12:30 p.m.
The event will be held at the track of Ontario High School, 467 Shelby Ontario Road, Mansfield. Registration is $20, and proceeds benefit the OhioHealth MedCentral Diabetes Education Scholarship Fund.
