Flint, MI – The HAP CareSource Crim Training Program, a program of the Crim Fitness Foundation, continues to grow its inclusivity efforts through a variety of training opportunities for adaptive athletes. While the Training Program is nationally recognized for its efforts with deaf and blind runners and walkers, in 2025 the Crim will be returning its training program specifically for athletes who are amputees and participate with a prosthesis.
This group, which began in 2024, is a three-way partnership between the Crim Fitness Foundation, Primary Prevention Physiotherapy, and Bremer Prosthetics. Dr. Amber Schlemmer, Dr. Janell Klosterman and prosthetists Nate Kapa and Scott Baranek provide the expertise to help athletes reach their highest potential.
Many of the participants who joined the group in 2024 hope to walk 200 steps without a break. However, most completed the 1-mile race and some have even opted for the 5K in 2025.
Crim’s Associate Director of Races and Training, Liz Jones, noted “Being able to create a training group that allows increased adaptability for all athletes truly supports the vision of the Crim and its mission. We are incredibly thankful for the partnership with Primary Prevention Physiotherapy and Bremer Prosthetics in helping to make the possibility for more athletes to participate in a race at the HAP CareSource Crim Festival of Races.”
Both Kapa and Baranek, who is also a below-the-knee amputee, are both heavily steeped in legislative work to ensure that physical therapy and continued physical activity are insurance-covered protocols to help those with prosthetic limbs continue to make advances toward full recovery.
They’ve also been instrumental in helping the Crim make adaptations to races and courses that provide rest areas for amputees and help those participants have a higher chance of finishing their chosen race distance.
Lynn Miller, a participant in the group and Michigan Mile finisher, cited Crim as his first-ever race finish. He also acknowledged the experience as one of “high energy” and a “great atmosphere.” He is already signed up to train for the mile again this year.
To listen to the latest Crim Running Dialogue podcast featuring the training experts, as well as group participant Lynn Miller, visit: crim.org/running-dialogue
The Crim Training Program is a 15-week program that helps participants train to run or walk the Festival of Races distance of their choice: 10-mile, 5-mile, 5K, or 1-mile. Now in its 30th year, the Training Program has more than 60 groups to choose from and more than 1,400 members. Participation in the group includes a festival registration, training shirt, calendar, goodie bag, two free community races, and 15 weeks of group meet-ups. To learn more or register for the program, please visit crimraces.org or send us an email at race@crim.org.
The HAP CareSource Crim Festival of Races supports the work of the Crim Fitness Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, whose goal is to improve the physical, mental, and social health of Flint and Genesee County residents. The organization impacts approximately 20,000 individuals each year through programs including: Crim Youth Sports and Youth Running Clubs; the Mindful Flint Initiative; and Crim’s Neighborhood Impact work which includes direct nutrition education, food policy and access, and advocacy for built environmental change.
For more information on the Foundation and the Festival please visit crim.org and crimraces.org, respectively.