Kayleigh Williamson And Chris Nikic Are Breaking Down Barriers In Mainstream Sports

About a year and a half ago, you might have heard about Chris Nikic. In the fall of 2020, the Florida native was 21 and made national news when he became the first person with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon.

To complete the November 2020 Florida Ironman competition, it took Nikic at total 16 hours 46 minutes 9 seconds, in which he swam 2.4 miles and cycled 112 miles, before running a full 26.2-mile marathon. But of course, Nikic wasn’t done with after conquering the Ironman and setting a Guiness World Record.

Just this spring, Nikic also tackled the mighty Boston Marathon and enjoyed every minute of it.

“I love heartbreak hill. The crowd support was amazing!” Nikic said this week, about the legendary race.

Not only did Nikic also complete Boston, but he also ran a new marathon personal best there, doing it in 5 hours and 28 mins. In finishing the country’s most prestigious marathon, Nikic beat bested his own previous record by over a half hour.

Yet, Nikic isn’t training and competing just for personal accolades. Prior to running Boston he joined forces with the Runner 321 campaign. Along with fellow long distance runner Kayleigh Williamson, Nikic and the group aim to expand inclusivity thoughout running events and mainstream sports overall.

Williamson, 32, is the first person with Down syndrome to finish the Austin Marathon, and she will be representing Runner 321 at the 2023 Boston Marathon.

Sandy Williamson, Kayleigh’s mother and biggest fan, said that while the running and training itself has been inspiring for both her daughter and observers, she hints that being a part of Runner 321 helps frame both individual goals with a greater effort at hand.

“My child has a legacy,” said Sandy Williamson. “That’s what I see with Kayleigh and Runner 321 together, putting a stamp on the future.”

The Runner 321 campaign, which is organized by sports mega brand Adidas, was founded to support the Down syndrome community and neurodivergent athletes, to ensure their representation in mainstream sports. Runner 321 also rallies marathon and race event organizers to reserve bib #321 for Down syndrome and neurodivergent athletes.

Last week I connected with both Williamson and Nikic to talk about running and their recent accoloades.

Andy Frye: You made national news after you completed an Ironman. Was the Boston Marathon more challenging? More exciting?

Chris Nikic: I completed the Boston Marathon previously in the fall 2022, and so I knew what to expect and trained hard for it. Especially as the first (from) Runner 321, I wanted to show the world what it means to be included in mainstream sports. The crowd support was amazing, and at the last 3.21 miles, we had a huge gathering of Runner 321 supporters.

I ran a personal best of 5 hours and 28 mins, over 30 mins faster than my time in October.

AF: To accomplish what you already have, you’ve worked with great coaches. What are your coaches doing with you now?

Nikic: Speed! I’m competing at the June USA Games (Special Olympics) in the Olympic Triathlon and we’re working on faster everything, especially running. I am also training for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in October.

AF: How did you have to adjust your body to compete in America’s most prestigious marathon?

Nikic: We believe in getting 1% more everyday, in everything we do. So since last year’s Boston Marathon, I’ve continued to apply that mindset and commitment to all parts of my training to get my body ready for this year’s race and my other events this year. From nutrition, to training, to training partners to training races, we are fully committed to showing the world what is possible when you focus on 1% better everyday.

AF: First Austin and then Boston. What were these marathons like to participate in?

Kayleigh Williamson: It’s a dream come true. It was hard work. I ran Austin but will be the next Runner 321 in Boston in 2023!

Chris (Nikic) ran Boston this year as the first Runner 321 and when he handed his 321 bib to me, it filled me with excitement and pride. Like Chris, I haven’t always felt included and I didn’t grow up exercising.

Runner 321 has shown me what is possible—by seeing others like me represented in mainstream sports. Inclusion is everything for our community (and) it helps us feel inspired to dream and see what’s possible.

AF: Women have broken barriers in running sports for a long time now. What’s it like to be a part of that?

Williamson: Amazing. Humbling. Inspirational. Running as the first female Runner 321 in Boston next year will show the world that impossible is nothing. Marathons are hard but breaking barriers is harder—and so important! I am inspired by so many women in sports but my mom is my hero. My mom has raised me to believe in me. My mom changed my life.

Read Frye’s interviews with USA athletes Alex Morgan and Katie Ledecky.

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