Urbanathlon To Benefit

Challenged Athletes

Sergeant Michael Sturdevant, the son of former longtime Newtown residents and supporters Dick and Marie Sturdevant, and a member of the Danbury Police Department, is putting out a plea for donations to support challenged athletes, many of whom are soldiers returned from service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sgt Sturdevant and other Danbury Police Officers are traveling to New York City on Saturday, September 27, to take part in the Men’s Health Urbanathlon, a grueling 7.6-mile obstacle course run in Manhattan. In addition to running, the officers will also be jumping over Jersey barriers, crawling through culverts, negotiating a scaffolding maze, jumping over Marine hurdles and a taxi cab, and need to clear a six-foot wall. To add to the fun, Sgt Sturdevant and his comrades will run up all 52 stories of World Trade Center building #7, increasing the run by a half-mile.

“Not only are we getting in better shape so that we can better serve our community,” said Sgt Sturdevant in a recent release, “but we want to be able to help provide a challenged athlete with the expensive equipment needed for them to remain athletically fit and competitive. We are putting forth our physical effort and in return we are asking you, if you are in a position to do so, to contribute any dollar amount you feel appropriate to help us reach our goal.”

There are a few steps to get to the donation site online, but nowhere near as many as Sgt Sturdevant will be taking on Saturday. To donate, visit MensHealthUrbanathlon.com, select “charities” then click on the yellow oval marked “Click here to sign up” and then select “fundraiser.” Type in “Sturdevant” where the site requests a last name.

“I am honored that we may be able to give to the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who gave so much for us,” said Sgt Sturdevant.