Local 5-year-old amputee set to run 5K June 7

Perseverance often paints a beautiful story of inspiration.

A race can be like a blank canvas available for participants to brush a story of triumph on. One of the more interesting works of art comes from the first timers. At the seventh annual SoDel Cares 5K Saturday, June 7, one of the runners lacing up for their first distance run will be 5-year-old Zeke Clark.

“Zeke, a below-the-knee amputee, will run the 5K with the support of his personal trainer, Chris Antonio, who has been instrumental in helping Zeke integrate back into our local community and continue to build endurance and confidence,” said Zeke’s mom, Maria Clark DeForrest.

Zeke’s right leg had to be amputated in 2023 following a lawnmower accident.

“As the anniversary approached, we searched for a 5K that fell on the exact date – June 7,” DeForrest said. “When we found out there was a community race right here in Rehoboth, it felt meant to be.”

The 9 a.m. race will be held at Bluecoast/Thompson Island Brewing Company outside Rehoboth, a short distance away from the Schell Brothers gym where Zeke is trained by Antonio. Their relationship began shortly after Zeke was forced to discontinue effective physical therapy.

“Insurance stopped,” DeForrest said.

A determined mom with a kid with the energy of Sonic the Hedgehog, the local photographer knew she needed to find a way to help Zeke.

“Originally, the idea was just to get him moving and to pick up where therapy left off,” DeForrest said. “He was in therapy, and he was doing a great job, but they were done.”

She knew Antonio was the man for the job.

“Maria and I have had history; she's worked with me before, and she brought him in one day and said, ‘Look, I don't even know if you think this is possible, but I'm looking for somebody who can pick up with where therapy left off and I think you might be the guy,’” Antonio said. “She said, ‘Let me show you what he can do.’”

Zeke wowed Antonio, and the crowd at the gym, when the 5-year-old showed how well he could run with his prosthetic and his blade.

“We started doing different drills running, jumping and trying to get in more agile with his prosthetics,” Antonio said. “Maria came up with a great idea of having him run a 5K on the anniversary of this injury, which will be two years, and we've been training for that.”

Fortunately, Zeke has received a boost on his journey to achieving whatever he sets his mind to.

“Zeke’s journey has been uplifted by the support of two national organizations: the Jordan Thomas Foundation and the Challenged Athletes Foundation,” DeForrest said. “JTF offers long-term support for child amputees, including access to world-class prosthetics, mental health resources and a close-knit community that truly feels like family. CAF empowers athletes like Zeke through travel and equipment grants, opening doors to adaptive sports and the freedom to explore every terrain, whether it’s a mountain trail or a local finish line.”

She said the tools have also provided optimism and are increasingly revealing what is plausible. Zeke is proving to be an invaluable return on such investments.

“He trains me most of the time,” Antonio said. “He is fearless, he has unlimited energy, he wants to run, he wants to hop and he wants to play.”

Zeke, in between bouts of exercise, said his favor workout is the row machine, but he is so confident when using the stair climber that he tells Antonio to be careful as the 5-year-old ups the frequency.

“Zeke was in an accident, and there were two ways he could have gone: one would have been that he would have been limited, another would be he would make his weaknesses strengths and then the possibilities would be endless,” Antonio said. “That's what I'm watching happen.”

In 25-plus years working with kids, Antonio said Zeke is the most motivated one he has had.

“It's been a very rewarding experience,” Antonio said. “I've gotten pretty close with him.”

For Zeke, the race will continue a long list of accomplishments that will only further in length as he grows up.

“He's already done some amazing things; we're gonna go to the 5K, we're gonna give it our best shot, but I think the lesson is no matter how it goes, he has learned to turn adversity into a strength and just keep pushing through and try anything that he wants to do,” DeForrest said.

“Mainly, I just want to get stronger,” Zeke said.

“A lot of people associate weight training with just working big muscles and fitness, but there's a mental aspect of those things that people don't understand,” Antonio said. “It builds discipline, it builds your confidence, it teaches you how to work through problems, and I feel if there's anything I want him to get out of it it’s that when in life, things get difficult, like it has for him early on, he can push forward, and he can keep pushing and and get out of it and be able to succeed, no matter what.”

Zeke wishes he could train nearly every weekday.

“To be honest, he taught me,” Antonio said. “His energy is unreal, and he's such a good kid. I don't even know some days if he even knows, by the way he acts, that his leg is different than other people's because he does everything and he's so confident.”

“His story is one of grit, joy and the deep bond between a child, his village, and his will to run forward,” DeForrest said.

“He's an exceptional kid, and everyone that comes in contact with him sees it,” Antonio said.