To trace what sparked the creation of RACIN!, look no further than one driving credo – “inclusion for all.”
When a friend of ours was turned away from participating in a popular local race because his Cerebral Palsy requires him to use a wheelchair, we were angered. But soon after, our anger turned to a realization that this was an opportunity.
While our initial thought was to hold our own race for people with developmental disabilities, we ultimately decided not to conform and separate, but to change the public perception of the local race scene as a whole. Inclusion would be our goal, not separation.
We set out to raise money to purchase our first chair and register for our first race, with the goal of many more chairs and many more races to follow. We’d serve children and adults and give them the opportunity to race in 5Ks all around Western New York.
Through hard word and dedication to doing what was right, RACIN! was born!
The hope is that our participation and drive for inclusion won’t just inspire and motivate our racers, pushers and volunteers, but all of Western New York.