Racing for inclusion : A personal journey
For George Gallego , participating in the NYC Marathon has become much more than just a race . “ It ’ s a powerful platform to raise awareness about inclusion , especially for athletes with disabilities .” Having completed the NYC Marathon many times , initially in a racing chair , he eventually shifted to doing it in his everyday wheelchair . “ Why ? Because I wanted to highlight the challenges and obstacles that people with disabilities face on a daily basis and use that platform to advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of life , not just in sports ,” says Gallego .
Brian Corcoran , another participant , echoes the sentiment that the NYC Marathon fosters inclusivity for athletes of all abilities . " Thousands of people complete the NYC Marathon despite various limitations . This event is a community gathering to show support for each participant . Each person has their own story and their own issues they ’ ve dealt with . Whether you are an athlete with a disability or not , it shows a large number of people coming together for a common goal . The NYC Marathon demonstrates that even if you face a disability , you can still achieve greatness . At the finish line , everyone crosses , people support one another and prove that it is possible to achieve this goal , even with boundaries ."
Yannick Benjamin reflected on the personal and transformative nature of the NYC Marathon . “ I ’ ve always believed that the NYC Marathon is more than just a race ; it ’ s a reflection of life ’ s
George Gallego
Brian Corcoran circumstances . Every year , as I take on the course , I gain a deeper understanding of not only the route but also myself . For those five hours , it becomes a moment of meditation where I reflect on the life I ’ ve been given and express gratitude for the opportunity to keep pushing forward ."
Having completed the marathon more than ten times , Benjamin shared how challenging it remains . " At the 59th Street Bridge , there ’ s always a part of me that wants to give up , but I remind myself there ’ s gratification waiting on the other side . It ’ s a lesson that sticks with me in everything I do . One of my favorite mantras is : ' The magic we ’ re looking for is in the work we ’ re avoiding ,' and that principle guides me both in my personal and professional life ."
The fight for full inclusion
Athletes with disabilities have long encountered significant barriers in competitive sports , ranging from lack of accessibility to outright exclusion . Progress is being made , particularly with events like the NYC Marathon introducing categories for Athletes With A Disabilities , but full inclusion remains a work in progress , and exclusion is ultimately a civil rights issue .
" Personally , I have encountered challenges related to ensuring equal recognition and support for athletes with disabilities . In many sports , athletes with disabilities were either placed in separate categories or had limited access to the same playing field as their nondisabled counterparts . However , my experience competing with Team USA in triathlons from 2007 to 2012 , where both athletes with and without disabilities compete equally and
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