For Mark Raymond Jr., Crescent City Classic race about way more than reaching finish line

David Schmit • April 22, 2022

Mark Raymond Jr. won’t be running or walking through the streets of New Orleans like the thousands of others on Saturday in the Caesars Sportsbook Crescent City Classic.

Because of a tragic accident six years ago that left him paralyzed, he isn’t able to.

But that’s not stopping Raymond and some of his peers from participating in the 10K race.


“Not many races do you see a bunch of people in wheelchairs trudging along,” Raymond said. “That’s the point. It’s intentional. We want people to see us and ask questions and learn about our mission.”


For Raymond, 33, the Crescent City Classic isn’t just about reaching the finish line. It’s more about reaching his goal of providing a better quality of life for people living with disabilities. It’s the reason Raymond founded the Split Second Foundation, a nonprofit whose aim is to help people dealing with what he has had to deal with.

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