The 100-meter dash is within Michael Forzano's grasp.

He can't see the finish line. He can't hear the true volume of the starter's gun. But he can feel it all: the intensity of the race, the support from the crowd, the butterflies in his stomach.

Maybe most importantly, Michael feels the metal slide he clutches with his left hand. It guides him along an orange rope that runs from starting line to finish. By holding the tube, Michael - who suffers from impaired hearing and vision - can stay on course.

Michael is one of hundreds of athletes who participated in the 2007 statewide Special Olympics games at the State University of New York, Albany.

Moments before the race, volunteers like Mary Onken, a retiree member of the Monroe Woodbury Teachers Association, help unravel orange rope along the track. When everything is set up for Michael, Onken resumes her usual post as the starter. She points her pistol to the blue sky and pulls the trigger. Another race has gone off with a bang.

Onken has been starting track races for 25 years, from high school to collegiate and now national races for USA Track. But Special Olympics events, she said, are unique.

"It's the joy that the kids have. Everyone is so involved and so willing to help," Onken explained while putting on her earphones in preparation for the next event. "It's just a great community involvement."

This year's Special Olympics held in June was only the second Onken hs taken part in. "I'm going to keep doing this as long as I can," she said.

One volunteer holding the orange rope for Michael is NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi. NYSUT annually plays a major role in regional and state Special Olympics events through sponsorship and volunteering by hundreds of union members.

"The spirit here is generated by thousands of eager athletes and eager volunteers, including hundreds of NYSUT members," said Iannuzzi.

On the other side of the track, Michael has finished his race and is met by his coach, Mat Longo, an adaptive physical education teacher and member of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. "This is a continuation of my school program," Longo says as he catches his breath. He ran steps away from Michael, calling his name along the way as much for encouragement as orientation - Michael is still getting used to his cochlear implants. "This is my way of staying in touch with my students throughout the year," Longo says.

Like Longo and Onken, volunteers Jane Corales and Marilyn Wetmore are inspired by the many athletes who participate in the games.

"We do it for the love of the children," said Corales, a special education teacher and a member of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City. "Seeing their commitment, their dedication, it's so rewarding. It is like winning the Lotto."

Wetmore, a speech therapist at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, is looking forward to retiring this year after teaching for 33 years. But she has no plans to give up coaching aquatics for the Special Olympics.

"It seems like in our district when we sign on for Special Olympics it's like a lifetime commitment," said Wetmore, a member of the JLHHO BOCES Professional Association. "Once you get into it you're sort of hooked, you just want to keep going back."

For information about Special Olympics New York, call (800) 836-6976 or visit www.nyso.org online.

- Andrew Waite and Clarisse Butler Banks