Ainsley’s Angels showcased by Mississippi Power employee at Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon

“Together we shall,” is the motto for national non-profit organization Ainsley’s Angels of America, which was formed in 2008 to give special needs athletes the ability to participate in sporting events by pairing them with “angels” who assist them in getting across the finish line.

Together they did over the weekend at the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, covering almost 88 miles between the 5k and half marathon events.

The local South Mississippi chapter of Ainsley’s Angels supported eight rider athletes, who were pushed along the coastal race routes by 20 runner “angels,” including Mississippi Power Digital Media Specialist Sylvia Pinegar.

The group’s mission is to build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life.

“I really don’t know who has more fun, the runners or the riders,” said Pinegar, who ran the 5k (in a T-Rex costume) as well as the half marathon. “We don’t just run. We sing, dance and high-five everyone on the route.”

The rider she runs with the most is a local 12-year-old boy named Willy, who suffered from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy when he was four months old, which left him with traumatic brain injuries, severe blindness and unable to talk.

However, that didn’t stop Willy from participating in the inaugural marathon event.

Alongside Pinegar and three other runners, Willy finished his first half marathon in 2:51:54. He will be completing his first full marathon, 26.2 miles, at the First Light Marathon in Mobile.

“Willy laughed almost the whole time we were running,” Pinegar said. “He loved hearing runners on the course cheering for him and he sang along with us when his favorite songs came on the speaker.

“Running with Ainsley’s Angels is a far more gratifying experience than running alone. The community of runners that makes up Ainsley’s Angels are incredibly focused on inclusion and because of that, we have created not just a running team, but a running family. I already have two more half marathons and a triathlon planned with them in 2017 and we are working on getting clearance to run at the Disney Princess half marathon in 2018.”

The South Mississippi chapter of Ainsley’s Angels runs weekly at the “Monday Night Fun Run” at Run-N-Tri in Gulfport and participates in races across the country.

To learn more about Ainsley’s Angels, visit their website or like them on Facebook.