RUNNING Without Limits

How Racers for Pacers redefines inclusion in the Lowcountry running community

By Julie Deacon 

Charleston is known as an active community, where morning runs along the Battery, weekend  5Ks, and crowded fitness classes offer countless ways to keep moving. That energy extends beyond traditional fitness spaces, reaching into neighborhoods and communities through Racers for Pacers, which provides children and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in local races and events.

Founded in 2011 by Charleston-area educator Sean Glassberg and recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2014, the organization pairs volunteer pacers with participants who cannot run independently, using specialized running chairs to enable involvement in 5Ks, 10Ks and longer races throughout the Lowcountry.

“Our mission is simple: to allow kids and young adults to participate fully, whether that means running with a parent, a sibling, a family friend, or a trained pacer,” Glassberg says. “It’s a wonderful way for people to be included in something they may not have otherwise had access to.”

Glassberg’s work with Racers for Pacers is rooted in values formed long before the organization existed. Raised in a family that emphasized giving back, particularly through the example set by his grandparents and extended family, he pursued a degree in special education in 1995. This grounded him in inclusion, advocacy, and support for individuals with disabilities. As his life and career evolved, those principles remained present, eventually converging with his connection to the local fitness community and a desire to give back in a sustained, meaningful way—culminating in Racers for Pacers.

The program is built on consistency rather than one-off experiences. Racers participate once or twice per week for at least a year, cultivating routine, familiarity, and a sense of belonging within the running community. Pacers volunteer their time while the nonprofit covers all race registration fees and provides specialized running chairs capable of supporting up to 200 pounds. Even with discounts, these chairs represent a substantial cost, making fundraising essential.

Community support is a cornerstone of the program. Race directors, timing companies and organizations such as the Charleston Running Club actively support Racers for Pacers, while sponsors like local running shop Fleet Feet provide annual contributions such as running shoes for pacers who log the most miles. These relationships allow the organization to operate consistently across multiple races and seasons.

“The running community here is incredible,” Glassberg says. “Charleston is very active, but it’s also generous. We’ve built strong relationships with race directors, timers and volunteers who really understand what we’re doing.”

The Catch the Leprechaun 5K, a longstanding local race held each March in North Mount Pleasant, has become Racers for Pacers’ primary fundraiser. The organization has benefited from the race for six or seven years, relying on it to help fund chairs, cover registration costs and raise awareness. Led by Catherine Hollister, owner of Blue Sky Endurance, the race brings together runners of all levels while reinforcing the nonprofit’s mission.

On race days, preparation begins early. Volunteers distribute packets and ready the chairs, while the organization’s racers—ranging from about three to 28—arrive familiar with the routine and eager to start. At major events like the Cooper River Bridge Run, Racers for Pacers begin early alongside wheelchair athletes, a schedule that prioritizes safety while setting an energized tone for the day.

Despite this strong support, awareness remains the program’s greatest need. With roughly 30 racers currently involved, Glassberg believes there are families across the Lowcountry who could benefit but don’t yet know about the program.

“We have the volunteers. We have the funding,” he says. “What we really need is more kids and young adults who can benefit from this. Bringing awareness to the organization is our main priority.”  

For Glassberg, the emotional core of Racers for Pacers is most apparent at events like the Bridge Run, where cheers, cowbells, and smiles line the course.

“There are so many moments that make this organization what it is, it’s almost impossible to pick just one,” he says. “At the center of it all is the same feeling that makes it so special—the happiness and joy from everyone involved, whether supporting, participating, or watching. That feeling of true support is just unbeatable.”

Racers for Pacers is about much more than racing. It’s about inclusion. Each stride, every shared mile, reinforces a simple but powerful idea at the heart of the program: everyone belongs at the starting line. 

Learn more at racersforpacers.org.