Kayleigh Williamson, a 34-year-old runner from Texas, is the only woman with Down Syndrome to complete the New York City Marathon. Her historic achievements in athletics started in 2023 as the first woman with Down Syndrome to cross the finish line at the NYC Marathon. This year, she returned to defend her reign and continue her inspiring journey. According to Run-4 Athletic Company, a US-based clothing brand, Williamson set a new personal record at the marathon on November 3.
Kayleigh Williamson Scripting History
The NYC Marathon 2024 was Kayleigh Williamson's third marathon. She has finished the Austin Marathon in her hometown, where she made history as the first-ever runner with Down Syndrome. She has also competed in at least 23 half-marathons, according to her social media page.
Williamson first started running in 2017 when she and her mother, Sandy, embarked on a fitness journey. This athleticism soon turned into a lifelong passion. The mom-daughter duo dedicated their runs to Williamson's grandmother, who was admitted to a nursing home for Alzheimer's disease.
Sandy told PEOPLE, "My mom used to tell us she escaped from the nursing home and had travelled to all these places like California and Colorado. So we started finding races in those states to turn her temporary memory into permanent ones. Kayleigh would take her medal back and show it to my mom."
According to a Runner's World interview, Williamson wanted to compete in New York City because her grandmother always promised to take her there one day to see the lit-up cityscape. However, she passed away before that was possible so Williamson decided to run on her behalf instead.
“[Grandma] always told me that I am inspiring other people and that she is so proud of me," Willaimson told Runner's World. The marathoner runs not only to pursue her love for athletics but also to bust myths and raise awareness about Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.
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