Late beloved runner’s wheelchair donated after Crazy 8s race

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)—We Run Events held its annual Crazy 8s race on Saturday, and for one family, crossing the finish line was a bittersweet moment.

The late beloved runner, father, and husband Paul Codispoti’s wheelchair was donated to Ainsley’s Ange ls after crossing the finish line of the Crazy 8s race on Saturday.

Ainsley’s Angels provided Codispoti, also known as the “Italian Stallion,” with a wheelchair to enable him to participate in the 2021 Crazy 8s race. As a result, a second customized race cart was purchased. In appreciation for allowing him to continue racing, his family donated the custom race cart to Ainsley’s Angels as a way of saying “thank you.”

Codispoti was an avid runner who continued participating in races while battling ALS. He passed away in January. His family honored him by pushing the wheelchair through the race and over the finish line this year.

“He fell in love with it, he loved running, he loved racing, and thanks to Ainsley’s Angels, he was able to participate in the road races he was running as a half-marathoner,” said Codispoti’s wife, Betsy.

To learn more about Ainsley’s Angels, visit the organization’s website .

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