Lisburn woman Anita Rydout, who is a member of the Jog Lisburn Running Club, will be getting her shoes on and pounding the streets in the Belfast Half Marathon on September 20 to raise funds for charities that are close to her heart.

When Anita was diagnosed with autism and severe global developmental delay by age four, the initial prognosis for her future was bleak.

Today, the growth she has made mentally, physically, and emotionally has surpassed everything her family ever imagined possible.

After transitioning from Parkview Special School to adult services, Anita found her stride at Live Life Well-Being Centre, where she is thriving surrounded by staff who encourage her full potential.

Anita will be running the Belfast Half Marathon to raise money for Lisburn charities. Pic credit: Kristy Moreland

placeholder image — Anita will be running the Belfast Half Marathon to raise money for Lisburn charities. Pic credit: Kristy Moreland

Her journey into running began slowly at Wallace parkrun, using a double-sided PEC (Picture Exchange Communication) card and a handheld timer to alternate between walking and running.

Supported by the local running community and her club, Jog Lisburn Running Club (JLRC), Anita recently hit an extraordinary milestone: completing her 250th parkrun on her 25th birthday.

Now, she is taking on her biggest goal yet. Training for a half marathon presents unique hurdles for Anita, as she cannot always communicate verbally when she is tired or in pain – requiring her support crew to carefully monitor her body language over weekly runs through Lisburn.

Having already conquered the 10-mile training mark and the Legends of the Lakes 10K, she is ready to tackle 13.1 miles alongside a team of running friends.

Anita and her support team are warming up for the Belfast Half Marathon. Pic credit: Kristy Moreland

Anita is taking on this challenge to raise funds, split equally, for two major local projects – Live Life Wellbeing Centre to help with purchasing a new, safe, and accessible minibus so service users can access trips, activities, and community opportunities; and Sensability NI to help with renovating the internal courtyards at LARC into welcoming, safe, and fully accessible outdoor spaces for individuals with profound disabilities.

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Anita’s story is a testament to what is possible when someone with additional needs is given the right support, belief, and opportunity to shine.

Anita has already smashed her £2,000 fundraising target, and has so far raised over £3,500.

Donations can be made online at https://www.justgiving.com/page/anitas-half-marathon

She has received support from across the city, including former Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh Alderman Amanda Grehan, who is encouraging people to donate whatever they can.