In this section for our newsletter we are asking our readers and supporters of CMAK and the Race4Chase Program to submit stories of inspiration emanating from Chase and the programs that he has inspired. CMAK encourages everyone to submit their stories to be published in this section to Kevin Grimes at kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org.. This month's story is about Race4Chase Coach, Raquel Kopeck and her assistant coaches, Matteo Moraski and Lindsey Voelker, from the Farmington Valley YMCA Race4Chase site:who have made 2020 a special year for 30 athletes despite the cancellation of the traditional Race4Chase Kids Triathlon program:
The cancellation of the 2020 Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program due to the current pandemic brought disappointment throughout the Race4Chase universe from coaches to volunteers to parents and especially to the athletes that were looking forward to the six weeks of training with their teammates and coaches leading up to the FINALE. Once hearing the program would not be able to operate this summer,
Raquel Kopeck, Matteo Moraski and Lindsey Voelker quickly went to work to provide to their Race4Chase families an outlet to fill the void for their athletes and give them a rewarding Race4Chase experience.
Coaches (l-r Matteo Moraski, Lindsey Voelker, Raquel Kopeck) with their team at 2019 FINALE
They developed the curriculum for a virtual Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program complete with weekly workout schedules, teaching tools for nutrition, training and triathlon specific knowledge, including fun games and challenges to keep the athletes focused and eager to meet their goals. Thirty families embraced the Race4Chase Virtual program challenge. Coaches met with athletes each Friday through Zoom Video conferences where coaches received feedback from athletes on their week's training, reviewed the following week's plan, played games and challenges with the athletes testing their understanding of the materials covered during the week.
An example of the 41 page training log prepared by the coaches for the virtual program
When asked about her inspiration for the virtual program,
Raquel states, "It has been such an honor to still be able to bring positivity into the lives of our athletes despite the craziness this year. The program would not have been as successful without the wonderful work of my two assistant coaches,
Matteo Moraski and Lindsey Voelker. "
Rachel is a four year veteran of the Race4Chase coaching staff at the Farmington Valley YMCA which normally trains at Camp Chase in Burlington CT. She was introduced to the Race4Chase Program after being invited to speak to the athletes at the Valley Shore site in Westbrook as a member of the UConn Triathlon Team. That experienced sparked her to join the Farmington Valley Race4Chase coaching team when an position was available.
The Race4Chase Virtual Kids Triathlon will come to a close this week. The athletes will run a triathlon on their own with the support of their families. The coaches are providing an opportunity for the athletes to complete the swim leg of their triathlon at Camp Chase since some do not have the access to a place to swim. Everyone will complete their run and bike legs independently and submit their times. There will be T Shirts and medals as part of the culmination of the program.
The CMAK Foundation applauds the ingenuity, creativity and commitment that these coaches have displayed while providing their athletes this opportunity. Their efforts can be used as the prototype for other programs to use when faced with similar circumstances.
Thank you for keeping Chase's spirit alive in your community!
We would like to remind you of the DOT Generation Charity Partnership Program for which CMAK is a member. You can express your support of CMAK through contracting for your printing needs with DOT Generation of Connecticut who will in turn contribute 5% of gross sales to CMAK. For more details about the program and a full list of services, please contact our good friend and long supporter, David Stowe, at david@dotgeneration.com.
Race4Chase News
Other Race4Chase Team Events:
Ironman WAALER -
Nick Waaler will not let a pandemic get in the way of his quest to complete a Full Ironman distance in
Chase's memory. Lake Placid cancelled...no problem! Nick will run his own Ironman distance race in Sandy Hook, CT on September 5th. CMAK will assist in his effort on raceday and will be looking for volunteers. If there are Race4Chasers who would like to support Nick's quest , please contact Kevin Grimes at kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org. We are hoping that we will have a Race4Chase team to pace Nick through the bike and run portion.
Don't forget to support Nick's fundraising campaign as he goes the extra mile to make his Ironman happen for Chase. See campaign at
Race4Chase Team GoFundMe page.
Half Ironman Kowalski (70.3)
October 2020
Rebecca Kowalski will contest her first Half Ironman distance in October 2020 in Connecticut rather than in Waco, Texas. Although her initial plans needed to be amended due to the pandemic, she still wants to hold to her commitment to complete the distance at a self-made course in Connecticut. She will be looking for company to share in the experience by completing part or all the legs of the triathlon with her. For those interested, we will provide more details of the date, place and course in future newsletters.
Baton Update
With the spread of the virus and lack of events, updates on our batons are slow in coming. We look forward to better times where our baton holders can be engaged in challenging themselves in Chase's spirit.
A big thanks to RELAYBATONS.com for donating all the Race4Chase batons for this program and also for use in our Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon program.
It’s hard to believe we are finally on a summer vacation at the Jersey shore! We haven’t had a summer vacation since Race4Chase triathlon training started in 2014. We were in this same place in 2016 on September 11th doing my first Iron Girl Triathlon in Sandy Hook NJ. I absolutely love it here. We have stayed with a bunch of friends of the Angel's Army that helped build Chase’s Playground. A huge shout out to Karen and Joe for their amazing generosity and use of their beautiful condo. The Jersey shore will always be near and dear to us as we have shared one of our most valued treasures with it. A small piece of Chase resides at his playground and we will forever 
be tied to Normandy beach. We took a ride to visit our boy the other day and are happy to say his playground is holding up quiet well through the elements. The salt life is a hard life but our angels seem to be helping out and making sure Chase’s place doesn’t rust out too quickly. I asked myself how long does a playground last? If it’s well taken care, it will last 15-20 years for a commercial grade playscape. That’s very exciting to know. Chase’s place will be standing strong for quite a long time. Now, if we could just get someone back to tidy up the landscaping that’s over grown, and proudly fly our flags!
Many of the fifteen 2020 Race4Chase Phoenix Program sites have begun their two week training sessions, preparing for their local FINALEs. The sites have altered their practices to the realities of the pandemic, but continue to give their athletes a rewarding experience in honor of Chase. Although there will not be the same large FINALEs as part years, each site will provide the athletes with the thrill of contesting a triathlon on their local site.
