What makes it special is that he is running wiht his son by his side
Submitted by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just 2 years of age, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield employee Chad Williams has spent his life overcoming obstacles that most runners never have to face.
Now, his sights are set again on this year’s Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica, July 13, with someone special by his side — his son.
Cerebral palsy affects movement, muscle tone and posture. For Williams, it has meant years of physical therapy, a surgical procedure in his youth and daily perseverance just to manage routine tasks.
In 2022, he decided to challenge himself in a new way — through running.
He began with a 5K that included 20 obstacles along the course. Williams soon learned he was just as capable as every other runner and eventually ran in his first Boilermaker race.
“Once I got running, I realized that I was in the middle of the pack,” he said. “The community was supportive, it really changed things for me and that really propelled me to continue running and I ran a race every month that year.”
Every step he takes is more meaningful, but Williams says the Boilermaker will mean even more this year, as his 17-year-old son Chad Michael will tackle the race for the first time alongside him.
For Williams, crossing the finish line with his son adds a new layer of pride — one that celebrates not just how far he’s come, but the legacy of strength and determination he’s passing on.