Tarton Trot- Peachtree Qualifier

We started off 2026 with the Tarton Trot 5k, our Peachtree qualifier! Our athletes rolled through the chill and brought the HEAT!

Congrats to our Peachtree Road Race Competitive Division:

Bentley Grace Hicks & Evan Rogers (Mix/Coed)

Justin Knight & Zach Middlebrooks (Male)

Ricardo Aranda & Nick Fragnito (Male)

Kyle Pease & Brent Pease (Male)

Logan Northrop & Tori Ragsdale (Mix/Coed)

Darden Glass & David Glass (Mix/Coed)

Jakob Bohannon & Eric Rusiecki (Male)

Emanuel McFarland & Shannon Booker (Male)

Bradley Roper & Lindsey Amerson (Mix/Coed)

State of the Foundation: Reflecting on 2025, Looking Beyond to 2026

Written by Kevin Enners

As The Kyle Pease Foundation looks toward 2026, we do so rooted in gratitude, growth, and a deep belief in people. The past year marked a milestone moment for KPF—serving over 150 athletes, crossing 1320 finish lines, and raising over $3.1 million.

Yet numbers were not the sole measure of KPF’s progress. They simply reinforced that our greatest achievements come from relationships and inclusion in action.

When reflecting on 2025, moments of connection stand out as much as organizational wins. For Kyle, the biggest highlight is KPF’s annual End of the Year Celebration.

“I love giving away the grants and seeing the families totally surprised and speechless by the gift that will make a difference in their lives,” Kyle shared.

Moments like these reflect how the organization’s growth affects people rather than being shown purely through statistics. From intimate, emotional surprises at The End of Year Celebration to large-scale events that bring together longtime supporters and fresh faces alike, KPF’s mission continues to show up in powerful and personal ways. Those shared experiences, on and off the racecourse, are what make the work resonate most deeply with its leaders.

“Personally, Boston was a highlight. Being able to experience that again with Kyle helped bring all the things together for me,” Brent shared. He also pointed to events like Publix, noting that, “you cannot ever ignore Publix and the incredible display of inclusion that is supported by so many, including the Atlanta Track Club.”

As KPF has grown, so has its understanding of what it truly means to push beyond limits. The mission continues to evolve, not by drifting from its roots, but by defining them more clearly.

One of the areas of progress we are most excited about is inclusive employment. What began on the racecourse has expanded into meaningful job opportunities that support individuals with disabilities beyond race day.

“A personal note that I’m most proud of is how our inclusive employment team continues to make great strides throughout The Foundation doing meaningful work to make a difference,” Kyle shared.

Beginning in 2017 with one employee, KPF has grown into a team of eight inclusive employees contributing to the daily needs of The Foundation through the skills each individual can provide. 

Since KPF’s inception, I have had a front-row seat watching Kyle and Brent nurture and bring their vision to life. I didn’t know what their goal was as they began to hire employees like me to assist with daily operations of KPF because I wasn’t fully aware of the behind-the-scenes activities. Now, as the Communications Project Manager, I see the amount of effort, coordination and enthusiasm that fuels our team to make our mission possible.

While race participation and fundraising remain important, they are no longer the sole markers of success. Sustainability now shows up in stronger systems, deeper engagement, and a growing confidence in how we operate. Behind the scenes, increased partnerships and enhanced board engagement have helped drive KPF’s momentum.

“Quite simply, we are doing a good job,” Brent reflected. “We need to be grounded in that as we continue to grow and expand.”

That grounding allows KPF to grow intentionally, without losing sight of the people at the heart of the mission.

Looking ahead, programs like Kyle Pease Kids (KPK), supported by The Arthur M. Blank Foundation, remain a priority, bringing together youth with and without disabilities to race, build confidence, and form lifelong friendships.

“Our mission has continued to grow with  KPF’s organizational growth,” says Kyle. “That’s where the ‘beyond’ piece comes in. We’re not only helping people race. We’re helping develop the athlete to grow as a human beyond sports so they can truly see their full potential outside the starting line.”

Another top priority is investing more deeply in athletes, not just increasing participation, but strengthening relationships. Connection, not scale alone, remains the accurate measure of progress.

“We want to get to know our athletes on a more personal level and connect them more with their teammates so they can really be a team on the racecourse,” Kyle explains.

As KPF celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026, the long-term vision remains rooted in sport as the groundwork of everything we do.

“Our priority is sports,” Brent said. “Getting to over 200 athletes, and eventually 250 athletes, served annually, will give us a greater capacity to continue to push beyond where we are now.”

After watching KPF grow during my tenure, not just in size, but in heart, what brings me the most hope looking forward is simple, yet powerful: the athletes, volunteers, and employees who lift this mission and each other every step of the way.

“The people,” Brent shared, “Our supporters — donors, volunteers, board members, and partners — are one of the greatest gifts of KPF. I remain grateful for all of those who lift us and allow us to serve.”

As we move into 2026, we invite you to be part of what’s next—whether as a participant, volunteer, donor, or advocate. You can explore upcoming events at https://kylepeasefoundation.org/events. You never know the impact you’ll have.

Celebrating Inclusion in Action

2025 Grant & Award Recipients

At The Kyle Pease Foundation, our mission has always been about more than crossing finish lines. It’s about community. It’s about courage. And it’s about honoring the people who move inclusion forward—on race courses, behind the scenes, and in everyday life.

Each year, our grants and awards recognize individuals who embody the heart of KPF and help make inclusive sport possible. The 2025 recipients represent resilience, service, family, and leadership, and we are honored to celebrate their impact.

Moving Inclusion Forward—Together

Each of our 2025 grant and award winners plays a vital role in advancing inclusion in sport and in life. Their stories remind us why we do this work—and why it matters.

To our recipients: thank you for inspiring our community and for helping us change what’s possible, one mile, one moment, and one person at a time. 💙

---

Lucye Bailey Caplan Broken Wheel Award

Recipient: Ella Hunt

The Broken Wheel Award honors perseverance—recognizing individuals who continue pushing forward despite significant challenges. Ella Hunt exemplifies this spirit through her determination and resilience.

Through the Broken Wheel Award grant, Ella hopes to race more 5Ks, half marathons, and one day a full marathon with a custom racing chair. This support will help remove physical barriers and open the door for Ella to experience the thrill of race day, the strength of community, and the pride that comes with crossing finish lines.

---

Bethany Rutledge Courage Award

Recipient: Brandi Thomas

The Courage Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates extraordinary bravery in the face of adversity. Brandi Thomas embodies courage through her unwavering resolve and determination.

The grant will support Brandi’s goal of purchasing a hand-crank bike, giving her the freedom to start flying solo with bike assist and the opportunity to take on new marathons.

“It would help me race more and on my own time,” Brandi shared—opening the door to even more independence, adventure, and miles ahead.

---

Jake Vinson Family Grant

Recipient: Dale Robinson

The Jake Vinson Family Grant supports families navigating life with a loved one who has a disability, helping remove barriers and create greater stability at home.

The Jake Vinson Family Grant will help Dale create a more accessible home—making it easier to move around his apartment, use his TV, and enjoy everyday spaces with greater independence. This support allows Dale to focus on living fully and comfortably in his own space.

---

Alicia Harrington Volunteer of the Year Award

Recipient: Nate Flanders

We’re proud to recognize Nate Flanders, a dedicated member of The Kyle Pease Foundation Ambassador Team, for his heart for inclusion and service to the adaptive sports community.

💙 Why Nate Became an Ambassador
Through his work with the GA Swimming Disability Camp and the Fred US Para Swim Meet, Nate saw firsthand how powerful inclusion can be. After meeting Cougar, a KPF Athlete, at Tri the Parks—and later reconnecting at the Fred—his passion only grew. Inclusion is so important to Nate because everyone is equal in the water.

✨ Favorite KPF Memory
Nate’s first experience with The Kyle Pease Foundation was at Tri the Parks, where he discovered that there are organizations dedicated to helping athletes of all abilities compete in triathlon.

---

Arthur M. Blank KPF Grant

Recipient: Kam Swanson

The Arthur M. Blank KPF Grant is designed to empower individuals by providing access to resources that foster independence, confidence, and opportunity.

This grant will help Kam receive his own racing chair, allowing him to train, race, and experience finish lines in his hometown alongside his mom and teammates. Access to adaptive equipment like this creates opportunities for connection, growth, and lifelong inclusion through sport.

Four Days. Big Smiles. Pure Magic. | 2026 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend

At the 2026 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend, The Kyle Pease Foundation proudly brought 101 participantstogether for an unforgettable celebration of inclusion, endurance, and community.

The heart of the weekend included 18 KPF Athletes, with five racing with KPF for the very first time. From the 5K through the Marathon, each day delivered meaningful miles, unforgettable finish lines, and powerful moments of connection.

Our Challenge runners showed up in a big way, taking on both the Goofy and Dopey Challenges, proving that every mile tells a story. A standout moment came on Marathon Sunday when Brent and Kyle Pease crossed the finish line with an incredible sub–3–hour marathon time.

While the races were magical, the biggest highlight was the community built throughout the weekend. Teammates gathered before and after races, cheering one another on and creating an environment where everyone truly belonged.

Every mile was magic—and together, we went further. ✨

Together, We Go Further | Interview with Garnett Palmer

Written by Kevin Enners

Many athletes who race with The Kyle Pease Foundation first hear about the organization through word of mouth. For Garnett Palmer, that introduction came during one of the most uncertain seasons of his life. After he and his brother were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Garnett suddenly found himself navigating a reality filled with fear, change, and questions no young person should have to face.

Encouraged by his teacher, Garnett went to Camp Wheel-A-Way where he bonded with other campers. There, he learned that KPF did more than races. It offered him friendships. Those moments sparked something in him.

In  September 2024, Garnett was rushed to the hospital, suffering from congestive heart failure, commonly seen in teenagers with DMD.

“It was one of the scariest moments of my life,” Garnett said.

In the months that followed, he struggled through some of the darkest days he had ever known. Yet, even in that darkness, a powerful reminder emerged — he wasn’t alone. His uncle, niece, close friends Kyle Pease and Josh Porter, Mak and Faye Yost, and fellow KPF athlete Dontavius Ridley all visited him as he recovered at The Arthur M. Blank Hospital, a place dedicated to children facing complex medical challenges.

“Seeing all those faces,” Garnett said, “reminded me what real support truly feels like.”

Through the Foundation, Garnett discovered a community overflowing with joy, strength, and unwavering belief. He found friends who saw potential instead of limitations and built bonds with people who understood his journey in ways words could never fully capture. His mother, LaToya, found community, too – other single parents of children with special needs, resources, and support that helped her feel steady again.

Garnett’s determination was soon recognized when he received the Lucye Caplan Broken Wheel Award. To him, it wasn’t just an honor. It was a symbol of how far he had come, and a promise that KPF would continue standing beside him and LaToya as they moved forward.

“KPF’s support took a huge weight off my mom’s shoulders,” Garnett said. With help from The Lucye Caplan Broken Wheel Award, Garnett secured reliable transportation, and LaToya was able to cover major medical expenses that had once seemed impossible to manage. “Without KPF,” he added, “our situation would’ve been overwhelming. This meant the world to us.”

Now, at 17, Garnett looks toward the future with hope and confidence. LaToya often says that KPF showed them both what true inclusion looks like, and how a community built on compassion can transform fear into strength and uncertainty into resilience.

“They helped me understand that I’m not walking this journey alone,” Garnett said. “I’m part of a family that lifts me up, empowers me, and champions me.”

And just as Garnett once learned about KPF through others, he now hopes his story will be the one someone hears, sparking the same hope, the same courage, and the same life-changing first step into a community where no one walks through their journey alone.