Medina native with ALS completes Syracuse marathon in wheelchair, raises $112K for ALS research

Provided photos: Family and friends of Jimmer Szatkowski who traveled to Syracuse to support him during the “Loop the Lake” Great New York State Marathon on Sunday. They gather around him after helping to push him in his wheelchair the entire 26.2 miles. They raised $112,000, more than twice their goal, for ALS research.

Jimmer Szatkowski, a Medina native with ALS, sits in a wheelchair after being pushed the entire 26.2 miles in a marathon Sunday in Syracuse.

SYRACUSE – Andrew Szatkowski of Medina called Sunday an incredible day, when many people joined his brother Jimmer and pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair to complete a marathon in Syracuse.

Andrew is the brother of Jimmer Szatkowski, a Medina native and current resident of Cicero near Syracuse. Three years ago Jimmer was diagnosed with ALS, a neurological disease that causes muscle weakness. Jimmer is paralyzed from the disease and on a ventilator

Having run two marathons before his diagnosis, Jimmer was determined to cross the finish line in Sunday’s race, which benefitted ALS research.

In total, Szatkowski raised more than $112,000, more than double his original goal.

Andrew said many Medina friends made donations and even make the trip to Syracuse to help push Jimmer over the finish line.

Several marathon runners from out of state also came for the event to support Jimmer, who owns a Chick-fil-A in Cicero.

Four people, including Jimmer, completed the entire race. Another dozen or so along the way stepped in to take turns pushing Jimmer’s wheelchair, including nurses.

“It was an incredible day,” Andrew said.

For more information about donating to ALS research, click here.