Thousands of athletes are gearing up for the OUC Orlando Half Marathon this Saturday, marking another exciting event in the city. However, organizers are already looking ahead to a significant development planned for next year.

Track Shack, the long-standing producer of the marathon, revealed on Friday that the 2026 race will introduce its inaugural Intellectual Impairments Division. This move represents a pivotal step in enhancing inclusivity as the marathon approaches its 50th anniversary.

During the race expo at The Plaza Live, leaders from Track Shack announced that this new division aims to provide more athletes the opportunity to participate in one of Central Florida’s premier running events.

“Today’s announcement is about continuing that legacy,” stated Alicia Albert, Track Shack’s senior event director. “We’re ensuring that the next chapter is even more inclusive than the previous ones.”

Organizers noted that the inspiration for this initiative came from adaptive athletes who have already made a mark on the marathon course. This includes notable figures like Chris Nikic, who became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an IRONMAN, and Caleb Prewitt, an adaptive athlete competing in this weekend’s DTO Challenge.

Organizers say the initiative was inspired by adaptive athletes who have already made history on the course, among them Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an IRONMAN, and Caleb Prewitt, an adaptive athlete competing this weekend in the DTO Challenge.

“It’s about raising the bar,” Nikic said. “We’re able to be independent overall.”

Other adaptive athletes at the expo say the addition of the division is a meaningful acknowledgment of their place within the running community.

[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE WITH CHRIS NIKIC]

“It means the world to me, honestly,” Noah Billings said. “Just to have this huge community of many different races with many different mental and physical disabilities… it just means there’s a community for me out there.”

Fellow athlete Frank Russell said he’s been training hard to be part of the growing field of runners.

“I’ve been running every day, about a 10K,” he said.

Organizers say this weekend’s race is as much about celebrating the sport’s progress as it is about competition. The hope is that the new division will open doors for more athletes to participate for years to come.

Track Shack expects to see more adaptive athletes than ever at Saturday’s event, with thousands of runners set to line up early in downtown Orlando.