Race of Faith

The promises to be a monumental event this Saturday.

At least for one man it will.

Ashley Bryant will be participating in his very first race. The 27-year-old has cerebral palsy, a condition that can affect the brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, and hearing, seeing, and even thinking. 

Although this condition has different effects on different people, in Ashley’s case, his condition causes him to have a speech and hearing impairment as well as affecting his ability to walk.

His devoted mother, Wendy Bryant, said Ashley is going to have a significant effect on people’s lives. 

“I think more than anything he is going to impact so many lives by being in this race,” she continues, “He is such a great teacher from where he is in his life and his disability,” said Bryant.

One of Ashley’s escorts will be Holly Spring’s Chief Building Inspector Joe Tkacsik. Bryant met Tkacsik three years ago at another race event.  

At the time, she said Tkacsik knew that she was running her first half marathon and wanted to know how she felt after completing the race. 

Bryant said, “I told him I got tired towards the end of the race and every time I would think about Ashley, I knew that my running was about running for Ashley because he was never able to walk.” 

This was the conversation that sparked Tkacsik‘s interest to do something special for Ashley.

He later followed up with Bryant and asked if he could push Ashley in a race.

“I accepted his offer to do that,” she said.

 Now that the race is only a day away Bryant couldn’t be happier. “I’m excited, but I am more excited for Ashley” she said.

Tkacsik is going to start the race with Ashley and the Firemen/Volunteers of the Fire department are going to meet him at quarter mile to half mile markers to continue to push Ashley to the next person.  

“I am going to push Ashley across the finish line,” said the proud mother.

Bryant feels that Ashley will enjoy this race she said he loves to be out doors and he loves for the wind in his face his face.

As for more plans for Ashley, she would like for this race to be the first of many.

Bryant appreciates people like Tkacsik who have stepped out of their comfort zone to help. “It’s been that way my whole life with Ashley,” said Bryant.

“God has really just placed people in my life that have encouraged me and supported me, I really feel blessed because I have  good support as a special needs parent, and I know that is what got me this far.I am so excited for Ashley to have an opportunity like this,” said Bryant.

 All the proceeds from this race will benefit the fire department.