Ryan Wilson will never know the feeling of sneakers pounding pavement, but he yelled with joy Saturday as he completed the Toano Middle School Icy 8k.
The 7-year-old has physical and cognitive disabilities that do not let him live the life of a typical child his age. Through the assistance of United Athletics Williamsburg and runner Adam Otstot, Wilson cruised across the finish line, third overall.
United Athletics seeks to give children with special needs the chance to participate in a variety of athletic events — swimming, biking, running and triathlon races — they could not accomplish on their own. The organization was founded in Richmond in 2012, which inspired Williamsburg resident Melissa Natter to found a branch for the Historic Triangle.
Natter chose the Toano race as the first for the local group, thinking the smaller size would be a great way to make the United Athletics name known in Williamsburg.
The race, sponsored by The Tide and WYDaily, benefited the middle school’s PTSA and running trail fund — an important cause to Natter, who is a special education teacher at Lois S. Hornsby Middle School.
Both with United Athletics and in her occupation, Natter is an advocate for inclusion of children with disabilities.
“My goal is for them to become engaged citizens in their community,” she said. After feeling there were limited opportunities for her students to get involved in the area, she formed the organization and started recruiting volunteers.
One of those was friend and local triathlete Otstot, who is not new to competitive running. Racing since his middle school years, Otstot boasts a long list of first place finishes in Williamsburg and across the country, including first place in his age group in the Ironman Texas in 2012. He jumped at the chance to join United Athletics for an entirely for a different style of racing.
“Ever since I was a middle-schooler, racing has been my life and I know how good racing feels—everyone should have that experience,” he said.
Otstot, a physical education teacher who works with Wilson at Rawls Byrd Elementary, finished the race in just 28:50. Natter took turns with two other volunteers pushing Wilson’s older brother Alex, 14, who also has special needs.
Running with an assisted athlete is hard work, above and beyond the typical exertion of a race. It adds the weight of a child, and pushing a stroller removes any momentum gained from arm movements. While standard running strollers are made to carry toddlers, Otstot and Natter used strollers especially designed for older children with special needs, donated by the School Health Initiative Program.
It may be more effort for the runner, but Natter said she knows how much it means to Alex and Ryan.
Just because the Wilson brothers cannot physically run an 8k, Natter said they can still enjoy the other aspects of racing. With the wind whipping past and a crowd cheering at the finish line, she said they can appreciate the runner’s sense of euphoria and take part in the community of the tight-knit sport.
“There’s more to running than what your legs do,” Natter said.
For more information on United Athletics Williamsburg, visit its Facebook page.
Results From the Toano Middle School Icy 8k
Victor Flemming was the top finisher overall, setting a new course record with 26:54. Jack Ikenberry, age 14, followed in 28:42, which is an age group record. Adam Otstot, pushing Ryan Wilson, completed the course in 28:50.
In the women overall, Jennifer Quarles topped the list at 32:11, a new course record. She was followed by Debbie McLaughlin (34:03) and Emily Honeycutt (35:06). All three women set a record in their respective age groups.
Other runners who broke records in their age groups were: Steven Brewer, Douglas Marshall, Bill Bustin, George Carrigan, Richard Maruyama, Megan Cretney, Bridget Thompson, Jessica Burcham and Jeanette Primich.
Scott Stakes and Sylvia Garcia won for the male and female walkers.
For the full list of results, click here.
