Kalyn's Birthday Marathon for Special Olympics BC

Hi! My name is Kalyn, I have been a Special Olympics coach for almost six years and it holds a very large part of my heart. Over the years I have had the opportunity to help coach Chilliwack’s basketball, hockey, swimming, soccer, and softball teams and Abbotsford’s track and field and club fit program! I also had the opportunity to run with some of the Antiguan Special Olympics athletes in Antigua on my volunteer abroad study tour through the University of the Fraser Valley in 2019! 


Most recently I started a virtual fit family and friends program with SOBC - Abbotsford in response to the pandemic to stay active and connected with the athletes! It’s been so great to see their smiling faces during these tough times!

Special Olympics athletes have taught me so much about following your dreams and working hard to reach your goals. They are some of the most thoughtful, encouraging and optimistic individuals I have ever met which is why I want to help them! I have seenfirst hand the opportunities that special Olympics gives to individuals with intellectual disabilities to be included in sport and the community.

For the past three years I have held a running themed fundraiser on my birthday. The first two years I held a 5km fun run with all of my friends however because of the pandemic I had to adapt last year and ran 100km on my own instead. 

 

This year I have decided to suffer through the 100km again for Special Olympics BC. Last year wasn’t easy, I lost all of my toenails and had to run the last 20km in my socks. However, my athletes have taught me so much about persevering through challenges and I’m excited to do it again. This year I am training harder and smarter and hopefully I’ll be able to finish stronger than last year. I’ve been repeating the Special Olympics athlete oath - “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt” over and over again. Although there isn’t anything to win, I would love to raise $10,000 this year! 

 

On July 23rd at midnight I will start my 24th birthday by running until I am done 100km! I would love your support! I will have more details about the route soon! 

 

By donating and sharing my run you will help raise awareness and opportunities for an organization that gives individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to be included in sport and live healthy active lifestyles! Click here to find out more about Special Olympics BC 

https://www.specialolympics.ca/british-columbia