Racing Beyond Barriers Together
Racing Beyond Barriers Together
Pull up a chair for a second, because this is not the typical Fireside Chat.
As an everyday athlete, we have spent years thinking about splits, pace, heart rate zones… all the things that make us feel like we’re “doing it right.” But this conversation reminded me that metrics don’t mean much if the starting line isn’t built for everyone.
What We’re Missing On Race Day
When I sat down with December Ambrose and Krista Parks, I expected a conversation about racing. What I got instead was a perspective shift.
December, a wheelchair athlete with cerebral palsy, shared what race day actually looks like. Not the Instagram version. The real version. The kind where accessible porta potties exist at the start… and then disappear for miles. Imagine racing while managing that reality.
That’s not a performance issue. That’s an access issue.
From Awareness To Action
Krista’s journey stood out to me because she didn’t start as an expert in accessibility. What she has done is become someone willing to learn.
At aid stations, she realized something simple but powerful: opening a gel while pushing a wheelchair isn’t easy. So she adapted. That’s what advocacy can look lik. These are small actions that create big impact.
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The Gaps We Can’t Ignore
We talked about parking that’s too far away. Registration forms that don’t include wheelchair divisions. Volunteers who want to help but haven’t been shown how.
These aren’t special cases. These are everyday realities for athletes who deserve better.
Calling Everyone In
And I would like to let people know that this isn’t about blame. It’s about doing better.
If we truly believe endurance sports are for every body, then we need to act like it. Race directors, coaches, and yes, even us as athletes, have a role to play.
Because being an everyday athlete isn’t about your finish time.
It’s about making sure everyone gets the chance to start.
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