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Local blind man, teen with autism get dream invite to run Boston Marathon

Posted at 8:23 PM, Nov 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-13 15:56:09-05

SUFFOLK, Va. - Ashton McCormick, 18, and Michael Davis, 33, are the most unique racing pair you'll find.

Davis, who is blind, pushes McCormick, who has autism, in a running chair and their career as a team has taken them to 5k's and marathons all over.

In April, they'll head to Boston for the Boston Marathon.

The tandem qualified for Boston in March at the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach.

But Davis says only eight duo teams are allowed to race in Boston and because there has never been a team consisting of a blind man pushing a disabled athlete in the marathon, they weren't sure how race officials would respond.

"It was incredibly exciting. I mean I cannot describe how exciting...because I wasn't sure (we'd be accepted)," said Davis.

Last week, Davis and McCormick got the news that they'd been accepted to run their dream race.

"It makes me feel happy," said McCormick.

"When you realize the magnitude of a legally blind runner pushing a disabled athlete in Boston, which has never happened before, that's pretty incredible," said McCormick's mother, Jennifer.

The two are already training and will have a guide to help them through the course.

They will race under the support of Team Hoyt.

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