Miracles in Motion Accessible Race Brings Hundreds Together in Wilmington

The annual event celebrates inclusion, community, and fitness for people of all abilities.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:04pm

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Over 300 people gathered at Long Leaf Park in Wilmington, North Carolina for the 13th annual Miracles in Motion accessible race, an event that brings together participants from toddlers to seniors for a celebration of inclusion, community, and fitness. The race featured a timed 5K and an untimed one-mile fun run, walk or roll, raising funds for Access of Wilmington, a nonprofit that provides adaptive sports and recreation to individuals with disabilities.

Why it matters

The Miracles in Motion race is an important event that promotes accessibility, inclusion, and wellness for people with disabilities in the Wilmington community. It helps to eliminate barriers and build a more inclusive world where everyone can participate and celebrate their abilities.

The details

The Miracles in Motion race featured over 230 participants racing in the 5K and one-mile events, along with around 40-50 volunteers. The organization's mission is to build community for children, adults and veterans with disabilities by eliminating barriers to health and wellness through adapted sports, recreation and fitness. Participants included a Navy veteran who lost her leg and used a hopper to complete the one-mile course, crossing the finish line as a milestone moment in her recovery.

  • The 13th annual Miracles in Motion race took place on April 5, 2026.

The players

Paula Crozier

The executive director of Access of Wilmington, the nonprofit organization that hosts the Miracles in Motion race.

Andrea Daniels

A Navy veteran who lost her leg and participated in the one-mile event using a hopper, crossing the finish line as a milestone in her recovery.

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What they’re saying

“This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. It is over 300 people, over 230 that are racing right now, and plus about 40 or 50 volunteers.”

— Paula Crozier, Executive Director, Access of Wilmington

“It's a world of inclusion, a world of taking things slower. A world of expressing and celebrating every milestone.”

— Paula Crozier, Executive Director, Access of Wilmington

“They've just given me my life back, and made me know I count again.”

— Andrea Daniels, Navy Veteran

“It was just crossing that finish line, it was another finish line, it was another goal on my bucket list of things I never would have done before I lost my leg.”

— Andrea Daniels, Navy Veteran

What’s next

The Miracles in Motion race is an annual event, so the next edition will take place in April 2027.

The takeaway

The Miracles in Motion race is a powerful example of how inclusive events can bring a community together, celebrate diversity, and empower people of all abilities to achieve their fitness goals. It demonstrates the transformative impact that adaptive sports and recreation can have on the lives of individuals with disabilities.