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Chicago resident Will H. is a regular on the city’s scenic lakefront path, often commuting approximately 10 miles each way between his downtown residence to University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, where he is pursuing his MBA degree.
Will covers the miles on the lakefront path using his manual wheelchair, propelled by his arms. He learned how to operate the wheelchair at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in 2019, during two months of intensive rehabilitation and inpatient care following a spinal cord injury (SCI) that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
“Before my accident, I did a lot of team sports. When I decided to go back to grad school at the University of Chicago after my recovery, taking the lakefront path was a good avenue for me to get exercise while using my wheelchair,” said Will.
Preparing for His First Marathon
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Now, more than five years post-injury — and after becoming accustomed to the mileage on the lakefront path — Will is participating in the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 13, as part of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab marathon team.
Though there are racing wheelchairs designed for long-distance races, Will plans to participate using the same wheelchair he uses on a daily basis. His tires can take wear and tear for up to 500 miles, so he should be set for the race’s 26.2 miles and aims to complete it in 5 to 5-1/2 hours.
To prepare for the marathon, Will has been eating healthfully, weight training with higher reps and lower weights for his upper body strength, and listening to audiobooks when training at long distances. Like many marathoners, he plans to enjoy a pasta dinner the night before the race.
Participating with Family & Friends
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Will won’t be going the marathon alone. His sister, Isabel; his brother, Davis; and three friends, Mia, Nick and Will, are also on the marathon team to raise funds for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — and to say thank you for the “life-changing care and research the hospital conducts every day.”
“Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has a hugely special place in my heart,” said Isabel. “I was able to stay in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab with William while he was an inpatient following his SCI, and the experience there was indescribable. The people, the care they give, the facilities, the equipment, the opportunities, the community — it is an unbelievable place that I think every member of our family is eternally grateful for.”
“Shirley Ryan AbilityLab was instrumental in my rehabilitation following the injury. To give back to this empowering institution filled with countless passionate people, we are participating in the ’24 Chicago Marathon,” said Will.
