NEW YORK — A Hoosier and Special Olympics athlete ran in the New York City Marathon Sunday with a quest not just to finish, but also race toward a bigger record: complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors: Six Star Challenge. That's completing the world's top six marathons.
Josh Holley is a Columbus North and a Purdue graduate.
He's also a Special Olympian who, as a child, faced numerous health challenges, including having to wear leg braces.
But Sunday, he was one of 50,000 runners to run 26.2 miles and tackle the New York City Marathon.
"His accomplishment is symbolic of what our athletes across the state of Indiana, no matter what their sport is, can do if people just give them the chance to succeed," Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler said.
"There were so many great stories here," friend and support runner Malachi Henry said. "There's wheelchairs, and there's blind people, and it's a very surreal moment to be around all these very unique and special athletes that are positive and brings this sport a different meaning."
"And Josh, at the race, he has an energy that makes everybody else smile around him, so that's pretty fun to see that on other racers," friend and support runner Kasey Coleman said.
Josh not only loves to run and compete, he loves to inspire.
The 24-year-old spread a message during the race with his motto written on his back.
"Our ability is stronger than our disability," Josh said. "Always remember that, Special Olympics athletes, and keep on doing your best and believe in yourself."
He needed belief for this race.
Josh said he has a lot of hip pain after a recent surgery, so it wasn't his fastest marathon, but he finished, arm in arm with his friends.
And this marathon, that medal he earned, is part of a greater goal to run six worldwide, which could set a record.
"We believe he will be the first Special Olympics athlete in the world to be qualified to do all the world majors," said Josh's mom, Deanna Holley.
He's now completed Boston, Chicago and New York in the U.S., with international marathons up next.
"That being London, Toyko and Berlin," Mohler said. "So he's halfway there! We're proud of him. It's just exciting for us at Special Olympics Indiana to see where he goes next."
Josh is a Hoosier with a mission to motivate, one mile at a time.