"I Would Love Every Person with a Disability to Be Proud of Who They Are"
On June 10, Susannah Scaroni won the Mastercard New York Mini 10K, breaking her own event record. She’s won all five editions of the Mini’s wheelchair division.
Not long after crossing the finish line, she returned for an experience she found just as meaningful: greeting the 21 participants in Run for the Future, NYRR’s free running and wellness program for New York City high school girls.
A Positive Example
Susannah became a Run for the Future Ambassador this year and she couldn’t wait to cheer on the young women as they finished their 5K run.
“My whole goal and my excitement is seeing them,” she said. “I hope that I can be a positive example as part of this program that they’ve benefited from.”
Susannah got her start in sports through an adaptive sports program when she was in fourth grade. Sports helped her work through many challenges, including an eating disorder in high school. “I found friendship, I learned confidence, I learned to set goals and work towards them,” she said.
As a successful adult athlete, she now strives to encourage, educate, and inspire others, especially youth. “To be someone that hopefully can provide some seeds of positive education and influence – that feels very special,” she said.
Dominant—and Gritty
Since recovering from a 2021 crash in training, Susannah has come back to become one of the world’s best. She set a course record with her victory at the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon and also won the 2022 Chicago Marathon, Peachtree Road Race 10K, and Grandma’s Marathon and the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half and Boston Marathon.
She’s a two-time Paralympic medalist and has been on the podium in 16 Abbott World Marathon Majors races. She’ll compete at the 2023 Para Athletics World Championships in July in Paris.
Susannah showed her grit at April’s Boston Marathon. She was leading in the early miles when her right wheel came loose. She pulled to the side of the road, whipped out an Allen key, and tightened the wheel before cruising to victory.
“I always carry an Allen key – I've learned that from my teammates,” she said. “I’ve benefited from people around me with a lot of experience.”
Pride and Gratitude
Susannah was born in 1991, less than a year after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. Disability Pride Month commemorates that anniversary and honors the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.
“So many people had the tenacity and integrity to push for what I just know as normal,” she said.
“I would love every person with a disability to be proud of who they are and that they have their own unique goals, talents, skills, and ability to keep learning. I know that I am.”
Learn more about Disability Pride Month and stories of athletes with disabilities here.