Disabled Gwinnett County Teen To Compete In Boston Marathon

LOGANVILLE, GA — Lizzie Kirksey of Loganville is defying the cards stacked against her. Born with significant medical issues, she was not expected to live past age 5. However, Kirskey is the little engine that could. Now 18, she is gearing up for one of the biggest races in the country — the Boston Marathon.

“It’s an incredible feeling to watch my daughter compete in endurance events. Doctors said she wouldn’t live a long, normal and happy life; however, her participation in races proves them wrong," Kirksey’s mom, Jeanie Kirksey, said.

Kirskey spent her first few years of life in a group foster home for medically fragile children. There she was taken care of by a volunteer caregiver, Jeanie, who would later become her mother. As someone who lives against the odds, Kirksey's mom said she tries her best to be a typical teenager.

Her participation in the upcoming race is all made possible by the Kyle Pease Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through sports. The organization is making its Boston Marathon debut on April 20, 2020.

“The Kyle Pease Foundation gave Lizzie and me a reason to live again. It allowed us to prove that even though Lizzie in a wheelchair, she can do what people with able bodies do,” her mother said.

The organization, which has two teams competing, will race alongside Team Hoyt, representing the legendary father-and-son wheelchair racing duo. The group combined has a total of eight teams running for inclusion in the Duo Program.

“It’s an honor to team up with the Hoyts for the Boston Marathon. They have paved the way for us as athletes, and we are forever grateful for their history of breaking barriers for duo-assist teams,” shares Kyle Pease, founder of The Kyle Pease Foundation. “My brother Brent and I have had our eyes on this race for quite some time, and we cannot wait to be a part of something special in Boston.”

According to the founders, the Boston Marathon gives a national stage for the foundation to spread its mission and raise money to continue supporting athletes of all abilities. Since its inception, The Kyle Pease Foundation has supported 84 athletes across more than 400 finish lines and raised nearly $3 million. In advance of the April race, The Foundation has set a goal to raise $70,000 to purchase a wheelchair accessible van, which is critical to transporting team members to races and events.

Among the foundation’s participants are Kyle and Brent Pease, the first push-assist brother duo to complete the grueling IRONMAN World Championship and founders of The Kyle Pease Foundation, along with Kirksey.

"We are so grateful for The Kyle Pease Foundation, and I couldn’t be more excited to watch Lizzie compete in the Boston Marathon,” Kirskey's mother said.