Local resident, mom and business woman Sherril Altstadt (with hubby) shows off her finisher's medal after the Coronado Valentine 10K.  She is the first wheel chair athlete to complete the Valentine 10K.

Twenty nine years ago, local businesswoman, mom and Coronado resident Sherril Altstadt’s life changed. She was in a car accident that left her alive, but confined to a wheelchair. Before the accident, she had participated in running races, but hasn’t done a road race since at least 1990.

This past weekend the mother of two (a CHS senior, Amelia and a CMS 7th grader, Max), Sherril became the first ever wheelchair athlete to participate in the Coronado Valentine 10K. She had plenty of family support and found that her entrance in the race actually got her children out and about. Sherril’s husband Gary was at the starting line and her children, in an effort to be there for Mom at the finish line walked to Tidelands from their home on 8th Street. Sherril happily told me, “My exercise encouraged theirs!”

Her official time was 59:11 which works out to a 9:32 pace. Sherril says, “I greatly appreciate the encouragement along the course as it made the event truly “community” based.”

Sherril tapes her fingers before starting the Coronado Valentine 10K.

Sherril’s company, Coronado Home Care, has been a long time sponsor of the Village Elementary Jog-a-thon (coming up February 26 and 27) because she believes that the combination of community and activity is a “win-win” for everyone.

Sherril added, “Everyone has something of value to share and add to the whole.”

Way to get your family out and active and congratulations on finishing your first 10K in a long time!

Kellee Hearther

Online Editor

eCoronado.com

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