For Ani and his family, the year was about far more than crossing five finish lines—it was a powerful reminder of how moving together can transform lives.
Anirudh “Ani” Lakshminarayanan, 28, became the only Special Olympics participant to complete all five P3R events in 2025 through the Special Olympics Unified Strides initiative. For Ani and his family, the year was about far more than crossing five finish lines—it was a powerful reminder of how moving together can transform lives.
In 2025, Unified Strides provided free entry to P3R events and exclusive participant gifts for all Special Olympics athletes, opening the door for Ani to fully engage with Pittsburgh’s running and walking community.
Ani, who is minimally verbal and has severe autism, joined the Special Olympics Long Distance Walking Program in 2023. Walking quickly became a comfortable and enjoyable way for him to stay active. Although his family had long been interested in Marathon Weekend and the Turkey Trot, they were unsure how Ani might respond to the crowds and loud noises.
“Ani has many sensory sensitivities, but we discovered that he loves wearing his bib and receiving a medal after the race,” said his mother, Ganga Lakshmi Narayanan. “He has a medal rack at home where he proudly displays each one when he returns.”
With five events on their calendar, Ani and his family built a daily walking routine on local trails and at the Upper St. Clair Recreation Center, helping them prepare throughout the year.
“Each event was unique—America’s Mile was hot, the Turkey Trot was cold, and one even coincided with Picklesburgh, which Ani loved,” Ganga shared. “The encouragement we receive as we walk our son to the finish line always makes us want to come back.”
More Than Medals
For the Lakshminarayanan family, the reward of participating in P3R events extends far beyond earning medals. These experiences have created opportunities to connect with a vibrant community, build confidence, and share the simple joy of walking together.
“The positive energy at these events has supported not only our physical health, but our family’s mental well-being as well,” Ganga said.