Andrew Smith
Mortgage Banker
Andrew Smith assists visually impaired runner
cross the finish line of the
Chevron Houston Marathon
AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 17, 2012)
This past Sunday Sente Mortgage Banker Andrew Smith took part in the Chevron Houston Marathon as a sighted guide to Joe Paschall, athletic director for Texas School of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Together they finished the marathon in an impressive 3:55:21 and qualified to participate in the Boston Marathon together this coming April.
Mile 23. Photo courtesy of Danny Walthall
Andrew was matched up with Mr. Paschall through C Different, a foundation that works to create opportunities for the visually impaired to participate in athletic events. Andrew, a life-long runner and triathlete is currently focused on training and coaching other runners. He developed a training schedule for Mr. Paschall to follow and together they were able to get a few training runs in before the race.
This is the first time Andrew has partnered with C Different as a sighted guide and is looking forward to continuing the relationship, “It was an amazing experience and I was inspired by Joe’s courage and determination.”
Both runners were honored on Saturday with a luncheon put on by the C Different Foundation. Fellow marathoner and Sente Mortgage colleague, Mack Blankenship was on hand for the event and was very impressed by Andrew’s commitment to service: “…this is what service to others is all about and Andrew epitomizes the very meaning of giving without expecting anything in return with faith that says, ‘as one sows, so shall one reap!’”
Through collaboration with sighted athletes and generous donors, C Different partners with members of the bind and vision impaired community to help them live outside-the-box moments, by helping them to compete in athletic events they never believed they would have the opportunity to participate. If you would like to consider supporting this organization, you can sponsor Andrew with a donation to C Different at: www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com
Mile 15, along the Hwy 59 feeder.
Andrew and Joe at Mile 23, with Mack Blankenship (foreground). Photo courtesy of Danny Walthall
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