WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WKBW) — Two months to prepare for a marathon. That's the amount of time, Scott and Drew Strang have been training for the upcoming race this weekend.
The two are no strangers to hitting the pavement and chances are if you've been in Williamsville the past two months, you've seen the father-son duo out and about.
But this wasn't always the case.
"My youngest son Drew has a disability. He has cerebral palsy and so he's not able to run long distances," Scott said. It wasn't until 2018 the two were able to run together with the help of a running chair.
"I started doing it and it was my passion. Then finding a way to share that with him (Drew) just made it that much better," Scott said. Fast-forward to June of this year and Scott became an ambassador for Ainsley's Angels. He started the Buffalo chapter of the national organization that provides access to similar tools, so everyone has the chance to experience endurance sports.
"We've got 16 runners and 8 riders. Every month actually since June we've added more," he said.
Drew added, "It's so fun." To say the 12-year-old is a huge sports fan is an understatement. One step into his room, it's almost floor-to-ceiling covered in Bills, Sabres and University at Buffalo jerseys, autographs and posters.
Also in his room is a collection of medals. Drew has medals from basketball, soccer and hockey, while the duo collects them through races.
Drew's favorite? The medal from Race716 the two ran together this past summer. It's the same race Drew ran across the finish line next to his dad.
"Drew wasn't able to walk until he was two-and-a-half, so to see him run across the finish line, it's pretty inspiring," Scott said.
With a "buffet of snacks," loaded music playlists and some games --
"Drew plays a game where he tries to count the number of GMC vehicles he sees. I'm not sure why," Scott said.
The two will compete in their first marathon together this weekend -- only Scott's second ever.
"Two months ago we signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon and we've been training ever since," Scott said. They'll run with others from Ainsley's Angels, including the founder who is a marine.
But for now, it's rest until the big day.
"It's not miles per hour in training, it's smiles per hour," Scott said.
So far the pair have raised a little over $4,000 for their Buffalo chapter with 95% of the profits staying right here in the area to help get additional running chairs.
If you'd like to donate to help Ainsley's Angels runners and riders here in Buffalo, you can click here.
The group is also always looking for runners and riders. The registration link can be found here..
