Yehuda Packer

Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy

After stepping down from the podium where he received the red jersey as the winner of the 55+ in the Master Men A category, Yehuda "Packman" Packer, 56, had an inspiring story to tell.

"Four-and-a-half years ago, I had a brain tumor removed," Packer told the Beat. "I had to learn how to walk and talk again."

As a five-time All-American runner, he switched to cycling about six years ago. "I have been competing about five years, with about one year out before I could compete again."

"After the tumor, I could no longer walk," Packer said. "I would crawl to the bicycle trainer, pull myself onto it, and turn my legs for up to six hours at a time before I could walk again.

"Biking is the only thing that kept me moving every day," he said. "How God blessed me to be motivated to continue biking. My family, my wife and kids, have been there for me every step of the way."

He said he has two sons living in Israel, where they are special-forces commandos. One son is studying to be a rabbi, and his daughter, who is finishing high school, wants to go into search and rescue.