Coachella Valley Hero – Bill Bell

Coachella Valley Hero of the Day – Bill Bell

Ladies and Gentlemen we present to you Mr. Bill Bell. Armed with a few hiking sticks and a huge smile, Bill takes the Tram Road Challenge every year.

Here’s the kicker..He’s 92 years old!

When asked by a fellow participant “What are those sticks for? Are you cross country skiing?” Bill simply replied “Heck at 92 years old I need all the help I can get!”

His slow but steady pace has a cadence one could set a metronome to. Simply beautiful.

Bill, did his first Ironman contest at age 60 and has completed 32 along with nearly 300 triathlons. At age 52 Bill was told by his physicians to start exercising after a stress test revealed an irregular heartbeat. His wife, of 66 years passed away last year.

Hats off to Bill Bell for reminding us that accomplishment comes from within and that determination can trump any obstacle.

For 33 years people from around the world have been coming to Palm Springs in October to take on the Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge. Start at 400’ elevation and climb to over 2,600’ elevation in 6K.

This isn’t your typical weekend 5K, and completing the climb to the top is something you will remember forever.  With over 1500 participants each year, ranging in age from 5 to 95, this challenge is one that most can do with little training.

Whether you walk or run or a combination of both, you certainly earn the custom finisher medal and t-shirt you will receive at the finish line located at the lower tram station.

At the finish line they have refreshments, vendor expo booths, awards, prizes, and buses to bring you back down the hill (or, if you’re up for it, walk down instead). Service dogs are welcome to walk with their families, with their own water bowls at the three fluid stations on the course.

Run the 34th Annual Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge on October 26th and Running Wild’s Wild Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving morning and you can earn this BONUS MEDAL. Sign up for Running Wild’s Wild Turkey Trot 5K at Runpalmsprings.com or https://events.hakuapp.com/the-wild-turkey-trot.

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