Every Monday we celebrate the runners who have joined Team Special Children’s Charities for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
This incredible team is using their miles to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago. We are so grateful for their dedication and generosity!
This week, we are surprising our featured runner, Luis Ortiz! Luis’s running Coach Beatriz contacted us to nominate Luis. She told us about the dedication and joy that Luis consistently brings to their running team:
“My name is Beatriz Anguiano, I want to nominate Luis Ortiz to be marathon Monday person.
Luis is one of my team members who is always ready to make the best of every run with his positive attitude and fun sense of humor he spreads laughter to everyone around. As his coach what I admire most is his dedication to his family, his work, his training, and his charity.
This is his first Chicago Marathon but he wanted to do it in a special way. Knowing first hand what having a special need child is, he knew he wanted to run for kids and when he saw everything SCC does he knew it was the perfect charity to run with and has been so inspired and moved by everything SCC does for the community.
It is so special to be part of something so beautiful, and is excited to meet the other SCC runners and proudly represent SCC on Marathon day. With the support of his family and running group this has been already a unique experience. His main goal is to run for every person with disability because we ‘run for those who can’t’ and to be an example to his kids that with hard work and dedication they can too accomplish anything they want in life, and teach them to not take anything for granted and they should make the best every single day God gives us.”
Thank you to Beatriz for nominating Luis! And thank you to Luis for being part of our team and supporting our mission! Support his effort by making a donation to his campaign today!
Read more stories from our Team SCC runners!
Marathon Monday: Susan Hurren
I want to raise money and assist these people in getting to spend time doing what they love to do just like the rest of us.
Marathon Monday: Sam Mermelstein
his organization lives out Mason’s mission every day—uplifting, supporting, and empowering children with special needs. By taking on these 26.2 miles, I feel I am able to give back a small portion of the love Mason gave so freely to the world.
Marathon Monday: Katie Poole
Running has given me more than just miles – it’s given me a powerful community, a way to process grief, and the power of showing up for something bigger than myself.
Marathon Monday: Laila Robateau
When children and adults with disabilities are given the chance to learn, play, and connect, it transforms not only their lives but also the lives of their families and communities.
Marathon Monday: Antonio Hernandez
Running has given me so much, and joining Team SCC felt like the perfect way to give back.
Marathon Monday: Luis Ortiz
Knowing first hand what having a special need child is, he knew he wanted to run for kids and when he saw everything SCC does he knew it was the perfect charity to run with and has been so inspired and moved by everything SCC does for the community.
