Kayleigh Williamson’s Remarkable Race to Inspire the World

SPORTS

Kayleigh Williamson’s Remarkable Race to Inspire the World

18 NOV 2024

Kayleigh Williamson, a 34-year-old runner from Texas, has made history as the first and only woman with Down Syndrome to complete the New York City Marathon.

Her incredible journey in running began in 2023 when she became the first woman with Down Syndrome to finish the NYC Marathon. This year, she came back to the race and set a new personal record on November 3, according to Run-4 Athletic Company, a US-based clothing brand.

The NYC Marathon 2024 was her third full marathon, but her accomplishments don’t stop there. She also made history as the first runner with Down Syndrome to complete the Austin Marathon in her hometown. On top of that, she’s run at least 23 half-marathons, which she shares about on her social media.

Kayleigh’s running journey started in 2017 when she and her mom, Sandy, decided to get fit together. What began as a simple fitness goal turned into a huge passion for running. They dedicated their races to Kayleigh’s grandmother, who was living in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sandy shared in an interview with PEOPLE that Kayleigh’s grandmother used to tell them she’d “escaped” the nursing home and traveled to places like California and Colorado. To make these stories feel real, they started running races in those states, turning those imagined memories into something meaningful. Kayleigh would even bring back medals to show her grandmother, which meant so much to both of them.

The NYC Marathon was extra special for Kayleigh. In an interview with Runner’s World, she said her grandmother always promised to take her to New York City to see the beautiful lights, but she passed away before they could go. Kayleigh decided to run in her memory instead. “Grandma always told me that I am inspiring other people and that she is so proud of me,” Kayleigh shared.

For Kayleigh, running is about more than just the races. It’s a way to honor her grandmother, raise awareness about Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, and break stereotypes about what people with disabilities can do. Her dedication and positive energy inspire so many people, proving that no dream is out of reach.