Hilton resident launches Virtual 5K to support Cerebral Palsy Strong
Virtual race aims to raise awareness, celebrate adaptive athletes, and fund community projects
Hilton resident Chad Williams is inviting runners, walkers, and rollers of all abilities to participate in the first-ever Doing Hard Things My Way Virtual 5K, taking place August 24 through August 30, 2025. The week-long event is designed to shine a spotlight on Cerebral Palsy (CP) while raising funds for Cerebral Palsy Strong, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering belonging and connection for people with CP.
Williams, an adaptive athlete diagnosed with CP at age two, founded the Doing Hard Things My Way brand to demonstrate that physical limitations need not define one’s potential. He was featured in Westside News earlier this summer ahead of running the Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica alongside his 17-year-old son.
“I started running races to prove what I was capable of, but along the way, I saw that my journey served as hope and inspiration for others who were working through their own hard things,” Williams said. “I became a voice for them and for the CP community, and I wanted to carry that further—to an event like this 5K—taking something like running that has been so powerful for me and using it as a moment to raise awareness for the Cerebral Palsy community”
Cerebral palsy, the most common motor disability in childhood, affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. For Williams, managing daily tasks has meant years of physical therapy, a surgical procedure in his youth, and unwavering perseverance.
To participate, scan the QR code or visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Hilton/DoingHardThingsMyWay5K by 11:59 p.m. on August 23 to register for an entry fee is $27.50. Once registered, complete a 5K anywhere—on the trail, treadmill, or neighborhood street—during race week and log the results online. Runners are encouraged to share photos and videos on social media, tagging @CerebralPalsyStrong and using the hashtags #DoingHardThingsMyWay5K and #CPStrong.
Proceeds benefit Cerebral Palsy Strong, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides social support, adaptive programming, and community initiatives for individuals with CP. More information is available at https://cerebralpalsystrong.org.
“Doing Hard Things My Way isn’t just a catchphrase,” Williams added. “It’s about showing up for yourself, falling and getting back up, moving at your own pace, and rewriting limits—your way.”
