Texas Woman With Down Syndrome Determined to Finish Austin Marathon

The Austin Marathon is this weekend, and it could be one for the history books.

26-year-old Kayleigh Williamson is training with specialists at  Austin's RunLab in hopes of becoming the first person with Down syndrome to finish the race. Williamson will participate in the half marathon of 13.1 miles along with Allie McCann, who's head of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.

“I was so excited because I have a 7-year-old-daughter with Down syndrome and to be honest, it just wasn’t something on my radar,” McCann told KXAN-TV. “I love hearing about people breaking barriers.”

Davis said Williams is the first person with Down syndrome to train at RunLab, but that the center has worked with people with disabilities such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.

Williamson told KXAN she was inspired to start running by her mother. Dr. Kimberly Davis with RunLab said Williams has been putting in the work with her stability and technique training, and she has full confidence that Williams will finish the race.

If you'd like to donate to DSACT and sponsor a runner, visit dsact.org.

From all of us here at TownSquare media, good luck, Kayleigh!