Photos by Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times

Accompanied by his wife, Carol Kelley, and granddaughters Ryanne (left) and Jessica Eppard, Dick Kelley waves off applause after giving a motivational speech prior to the start of the Appalachian Power Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon on Saturday.

Dick Kelley is wheeled the final yards of the triathlon by his granddaughter Tricia Gangstad.

Dick Kelley participated in the Appalachian Power Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon for 22 years, but he was unable to participate in Saturday's race after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Dick Kelley high-fives Betsy Henderson as she finishes Saturday's triathlon. Kelley spoke to the participants prior to the event, encouraging each one to "run the race of your life."

HUDDLESTON -- This was not the way Dick Kelley wanted to start the race.

He was seated in a wheelchair on the sands of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. The pages bearing his written remarks fluttered in the Saturday morning breeze as his granddaughters held a bullhorn up to his mouth so his words could be heard by the wet-suit-clad competitors, who were anxious to jump into the lake.

"God has given you a gift that allows you to participate in an enjoyable yet strenuous activity," he told them. "While I know that the race may cause you physical and mental stress, savor each moment of your race experience, as life can deal you a mishap at any time that may prevent you from continuing to enjoy the sports and other activities you love."

Kelley knows that better than anyone. He would have preferred to be swimming in the lake, biking and running the tree-lined course of the Appalachian Power Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon just as he had done for the past 22 years. In January, however, Kelley was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In barely four months, Kelley, a former triathlete who finished third in his age group during this race last year, has lost the use of his right arm and can walk only a few steps without the aid of his wheelchair.

His granddaughter Tricia Gangstad traveled from Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in Kelley's honor. Two months ago, Kelley had hoped to complete at least 50 yards of each of the triathlon's three legs with her, but he was physically unable to do so.

So, clad in a New York Yankees jersey with Gehrig's name on the back -- and on the 70th anniversary of the day Gehrig took himself out of the Yankees lineup -- Kelley used his opening remarks to tell more than 400 triathletes a few basics about ALS. Then, he encouraged them "to do the best with the limited time God gives to us in his world" and to "run the race of your life."

With that, the competitors applauded and someone shouted, "This one's for you, Dick!" Athletes filed past, friends and strangers alike, and shook Kelley's hand and thanked him for his inspiring remarks as they waded into the chilly lake. With the blast of an air horn, the race was on.

Competing for grandpa

In August, Kelley danced at his granddaughter's wedding in Montana for more than two hours. Afterward, the party retreated to a cowboy bar where Kelley's wife, Carol, danced with a real cowboy. The Kelleys, who met 31 years ago while disco dancing, could really cut a rug.

"I was just going through my wedding photos, and there he was," said Gangstad, who is Kelley's stepgranddaughter but has always called Kelley "Grandpa."

"He looked so healthy. He danced it up."

When Gangstad learned that Kelley would no longer be able to participate in his favorite races, she began training to compete in his honor. Gangstad, 28, had run marathons, but had never done a triathlon until last week, when she competed in a Texas triathlon after barely three months of training.

On Saturday, she pulled on her $200 wet suit -- "I bought it in a closeout online" -- for the 750-meter swim. Later, she climbed on her new $750 road bike for the 20-kilometer ride and finished with the 5-kilometer run.

Competitive swimming and biking were new to her, but Gangstad performed well. As his granddaughter departed the lake, Kelley hollered, "You weren't last!"

"Close enough!" Gangstad shot back, racing off to the transition area to peel off her wet suit and get on her bike.

Several members of Kelley's family came out to support him and to cheer on Gangstad, including her husband, Erik. Kelley's stepson, Brad Eppard, arrived from Raleigh, N.C., with wife Debbie and daughters Jessica, 14, and Ryanne, 11. The family also was joined by friends and neighbors George and Sandy Hunter, upon whom the Kelleys have increasingly relied for assistance since Dick Kelley's diagnosis.

Kelley, 63, an assistant superintendant for Roanoke's schools for more than 20 years, had held out hope that he might be able to do a portion of Saturday's race. He even wore a race belt with competitor No. 193 on it. He had done more than 50 triathlons before being stricken with ALS, a degenerative nerve disease that causes muscles to weaken and atrophy.

He competed in the Smith Mountain Lake triathlon a year ago, when his time of one hour, 34 minutes was considerably slower than previous races.

"I thought it was old age," he said. "My legs were tight all season. But it was this disease."

Kelley said that ALS does not get the research attention reserved for cancer and heart disease. It affects about 30,000 Americans, according to the ALS Association, a nonprofit health agency dedicated to research of the disease, and has no known cause or cure. Kelley has spoken at churches and to civic groups, encouraging them to donate to ALS research. He started a Web site in hopes of raising $5,000. As he approaches $10,000 in donations, he may raise that goal to $15,000.

Following the triathlon, Kelley was roasted by his good friend (and occasional competitive foil) Mike Morris, the event's organizer. Morris told the competitors about Kelley's dance-floor moves and presented him with a "Saturday Night Fever" movie poster with Kelley's head superimposed onto John Travolta's body.

Morris stopped kidding around when his remarks turned toward ALS, which he called an "insidious disease." He promised to make a $500 donation to Kelley's cause if someone would match it.

Brad Eppard, Kelley's stepson, matched it immediately.

'An inspiration'

Kelley did not stay out of the race entirely.

Stationed near the last turn on the running course, Kelley looked at his watch as he waited for his granddaughter to appear. He kept looking at his watch, thinking she was making good time.

When she appeared at the top of the home stretch, Erik Gangstad wheeled Kelley onto the course, where Tricia Gangstad took over and pushed her grandfather the final 50 yards of the race. The announcer called both their names as they crossed the finish line.

"That was a hard race, I'll tell you," Kelley joked. "I'm winded."

Later, as competitors milled about, a man Kelley did not know strode up to him and shook his hand.

"I want you to know, I didn't walk once" during the race, the man said. "I wanted to. But your words were an inspiration."