Mini-Marathon ambassador hopes his perseverance inspires others

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — More than 30,000 people had planned to gather Saturday for one of the premier events in Indianapolis: the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

Of course, the pandemic has canceled those plans.

But for one of the event’s ambassadors, who faces already unique challenges thanks to fetal alcohol syndrome, the coronavirus has been especially disruptive.

Andrew Peterson is running his own half-marathon, again, Friday to inspire others with his passion for running.

“I like it. I’m good at it. And I get even better with hard work.”

But running is more than a passion for Andrew, it’s a lifeline.

It’s an important part of a routine to someone whose daily routine is everything.

“Andrew thrives on routine,” said his father, Craig Peterson. “So losing his routine as is the case for many individuals with intellectual disabilities makes it extra hard.”

Andrew was found when he was 3 weeks old in the care of his young sister.

Family and Social Services discovered Andrew and all of his siblings had fetal alcohol syndrome.

Craig eventually adopted them all 22 years ago when Andrew was 5 years old.

“I’d always been a runner, and Andrew was my one child who liked to run with me,” Craig said.

Andrew is an elite runner now, but you would never have predicted it. His childhood nickname was “Tin Man.”

“His knees and his elbows were so stiff when he tried to move,” Craig remembered.

But it didn’t take long before his son passed by a very proud papa.

“I was telling Andrew, don’t wait for me. I’ll see you at the finish line,” Craig said.

“He says, ‘Andrew, go.’ I like it,” Andrew added.

But, the “Tin Man” specializes in different metals these days.

Last year, he got a silver medal in the half-marathon at the Special Olympic World Games in Abu Dhabi and a gold in the 4×400 relay.

Weeks later, he became one of the very few Special Olympians to run the Boston Marathon thanks to another race where he ran a 2-hour, 57-minute race, a pace of 6 minutes and 50 seconds.

“A lot of people couldn’t do a 6:50 pace for 1 mile much less 26,” Craig said.

Up until mid-April, almost every day had included runs with various groups around town.

Andrew doesn’t like to set the pace. He just keeps up with the group.

But, the pandemic put that on the sidelines six weeks ago.

“It’s been real tough for Andrew,” Craig said.

Andrew now has to do the math on his watch. Even with special features, it’s still a struggle.

Plus, there’s only so many times it’s fun to run around the neighborhood, especially mostly alone since Craig can’t keep up. That’s why weekly trips to Eagle Creek Park mean so much.

“We start together,” Craig said. “We try to run a course where we pass each other a couple times but that’s about it.”

It’s tough, but Andrew is doing it.

In fact, Friday’s virtual mini is the fourth half-marathon father and son have run in the last four weeks. He hopes his story inspires others to get out, work hard and stay motivated.

“Not everything is easy though, but it can always change people’s lives,” Andrew said.

“The past six weeks have been rough for everybody, but we need to make the best of what we can,” Craig added.

It’s what Andrew is doing, step after step, mile after mile.

He’s shared his story with 125,000 high-schoolers in the last six years. Some of his last words in his 15-minute memorized speech seem the most appropriate: “Always remember, the lasting impression you can make on me and people like me.”

This is the third year Andrew has been a 500 Festival Running Ambassador. He hopes people do their own virtual race Saturday in weather that should be very pleasant.