When Ella Hunt talks about racing, her face lights up long before she mentions the finish line. Despite having Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disease that causes progressive muscle weakness which affects movement and breathing, Ella’s disability does not define her. Instead of the word impossible, she goes by the mantra, I’m possible. And Ella has the confidence to back it up.
“Every night, I think of the three best things that happened that day,” says Ella. She then plans the things she wants to accomplish the next day. Three things. Three things that get measurable results. Three things that will move her forward. Three things she can do to make progress toward her goals.
Ella first met her running partner, Mandy Abercrombie, through the organization I Run 4, which paired Ella and Mandy. Each time Mandy ran, she dedicated her running miles to Ella, symbolizing their teamwork as much as personal achievement.
“When I met Ella (and her mom, Erica), Erica told me they didn’t expect Ella to live past the age of two,” Mandy remembers.
For Mandy, that initial conversation was eye-opening. Erica shared this with Mandy, not to scare her, but to prepare her. “Over the years, I got to know Ella and her family, despite them living in Indiana and me in Georgia. Whenever I felt like I couldn’t go any further, I would think of Ella because that kid never gives up.”
After 10 years of running for Ella, Mandy wanted to run with Ella. She proposed to Ella that they run a race together on their 10th anniversary. Mandy applied to KPF to take part in the Disney 5k with Ella. When Ella got the news, she was ecstatic. Mom thought it would be a one-and-done race.
“I’m not a runner, so I don’t really get it,” Erica laughed.
The trip to Florida for the Hunt family was a huge undertaking. In order to meet up with the other KPF teams at 3:00am, Ella was up at 1:00am getting ready. The race chair that she used did not accommodate her equipment or hold her body comfortably, but, where there’s will, there’s a way.
Ella’s brother, Carter, ran as her medical runner. Just coming off four weeks of bronchitis, Carter ran with Ella’s tracheotomy supply backpack on his back, her suction machine backpack on his front, and her cough therapy device held in his hand.
That first Disney 5K wasn’t just about miles. It was about possibilities. Ella loved the adventure, the energy, even stopping for photos with beloved characters along the course. Yet it was the moment she crossed the finish line that changed everything. In that instant, she knew she wanted to do it again.
Outside of racing, Ella’s world is full of color and creativity. She loves baking and cooking in the kitchen, painting bright canvases, playing games, and talking with friends. She’s also a devoted movie fan, especially superhero adventures and heartfelt love stories.
Those who know her best describe her as sweet, kind, and deeply loving. What many people might not realize at first glance is just how smart and thoughtful she is, something her family proudly emphasizes. Too often, people make assumptions based solely on physical appearance. Ella consistently proves there is far more beneath the surface.
But racing? Racing is different. Racing is freedom. Racing has become something that belongs to Ella. It’s an experience that allows her independence and ownership—something that is hers, separate from her parents and daily routines. It represents courage, momentum, and joy.
In 2024, Ella received The Lucye Caplan Broken Wheel Award, which honors an individual’s tenacity and resilience. With the funds from the grant, Ella is purchasing her own race chair, modified for her and her equipment. She is excited to experience the thrill of racing longer distances in her new chair.
Despite facing medical and physical challenges from a young age, Ella remains remarkably positive. She leans on her faith, sings through difficult moments, and keeps her focus forward.
Now, her dreams stretch far beyond a 5K. Ella hopes to run a marathon in Paris one day. It’s a bold goal. But if her first finish line taught her anything, it’s that big dreams start with a single race and a small push forward.
Ella’s story is more than an athletic milestone. It’s a reminder that determination, community, and belief can carry us farther than we ever imagined.
