Southeast Texas athlete turns obstacles into opportunities through pushrim racing

HAMSHIRE, Texas — A Southeast Texas athlete living with cerebral palsy is pushing past challenges and inspiring others as he trains for a major race in Houston this January. Hamshire-Fannett native Ray Stelly, a pushrim and mobility-impaired runner, says his journey has taught him that “your biggest competition is yourself.”

Stelly, who was born with cerebral palsy, faced one of his earliest hurdles in middle school after undergoing surgery that forced him to relearn how to walk. “Walked in the operation, rolled out, end up having to spend the next 3.5 years learning how to re-walk again,” he said. “And since then it's been from powerlifting to marathons.”

What began as a challenge grew into a passion for racing and personal growth. Stelly competes in events ranging from 5Ks to half mara