Autistic HSer, who scored 20 points in 4 minutes in his only bball game and got LRC QOD status, runs 3:01 marathon

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  • rojo
    cofounder
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 12:56pm CDT
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    Anyone remember Jason McElwain?

    The autistic HSer who scored 20 points in 4 minutes in his only bball game and got LRC QOD status back in 2006?

    http://www.letsrun.com/2006/homepage0225.php

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg

    Well he's quite the runner as well as he just ran 3:01 and qualified for Boston.

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/more/09/24/Jason-McElwain-Rochester-Marathon.ap/index.html
  • Dougruns26
    registered
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 1:04pm CDT
    re: rojo
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    Quite a young man. The basketball game was so inspiring. Jason obviously does not buy into the labels and limitations others place on him. Good life lesson for all of us regardless of the label.
  • kpack
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 1:16pm CDT
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    I think that most autistic people have balance and physical development issues.
  • Junk Master
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 1:49pm CDT
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    Being on the autistic spectrum is very common for runners. He's more disabled than most, but I'm not surprised at all.

    Co-morbid OCD is quite common with spectrum disorders as well, and the combo can make a favorable psychological profile for the distance runner-- for swimmers as well.
  • T BONE
    registered
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 2:34pm CDT
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    I think this is a fantastic thread. That was one of the most memorable videos I had ever seen. Great to get an update on J-Mac.

    And a 3:01 marathon is VERY impressive. I don't care who you are, that's a fantastic time.

    Congrats to J-Mac, I'm a huge fan!
  • Let's be honest
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 2:36pm CDT
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    Aspergers is not on the autism spectrum. It is not autism. The extent to which it is a disorder, it is an entirely different disorder with a different etiology.


    Aspergers Guy wrote:

    My point stands Rojo - you have had to delete 5+ insensitive and offensive remarks against people on the auutism spectrum. Is it even worth it mention this story on this board? You step away for a minute and 10 more comments will appear allowing this thread on this message board to cause more harm than any good it might hope to do. Why bother posting something like this on this board given this set-up. Lose-Lose situation.
  • DSM-5
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 2:49pm CDT
    re: Let's be honest
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    Let's be honest wrote:
    Aspergers is not on the autism spectrum. It is not autism. The extent to which it is a disorder, it is an entirely different disorder with a different etiology.

    See: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833
  • Let's be honest
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 2:55pm CDT
    re: DSM-5
    Forum Index
    It is one thing what the DSM 5 says - reality is another issue. They didn't want to place it on the spectrum but political pressure forced their hands.

    To any clear thinking person, Aspergers is not a disorder and it clearly is not autism.

    DSM-5 wrote:

    Let's be honest wrote:
    Aspergers is not on the autism spectrum. It is not autism. The extent to which it is a disorder, it is an entirely different disorder with a different etiology.

    See: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833
  • MI Runners
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 5:19pm CDT
    re: rojo
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    I remember this! I was going nuts! He was in Fire! Maybe one of the greatest things I've seen!!!
  • Uncle Systematic
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 6:34pm CDT
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    Gotta say folks, you aren't a human being if you aren't moved by this kid's story:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg

    Maybe some of you have never had to struggle for anything, or lack empathy. But, this is an inspirational story -- and not just because of this kid, but the way his classmates reacted to it.

    Turns out that in high school he was a scoring member of the XC team. Post high school, he has continued to help coach not just basketball, but XC and track as well.

    3:01 marathon is flat out incredible. Once in awhile, a story just works out perfect, better than a movie. For this kid, it has happened twice.
  • Dennis Reynolds
    registered
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 6:49pm CDT
    re: Uncle Systematic
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    Uncle Systematic wrote:

    3:01 marathon is flat out incredible.

    LOL
  • Broken Knees
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 6:51pm CDT
    re: Uncle Systematic
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    Pretty awesome stuff. Glad to of read that
  • BGuyJMilleniumXII
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 7:44pm CDT
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    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngzyhnkT_jY

    ESPN coverage of Jason's night of magic. definitely makes you tear up.
  • Paul Ryan
    7 years ago 09/24/2012 8:37pm CDT
    re: rojo
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    I will be really disappointed if that is a 3:01 "paul ryan marathon".
    rojo wrote:

    Anyone remember Jason McElwain?

    The autistic HSer who scored 20 points in 4 minutes in his only bball game and got LRC QOD status back in 2006?

    http://www.letsrun.com/2006/homepage0225.php

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg

    Well he's quite the runner as well as he just ran 3:01 and qualified for Boston.

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/more/09/24/Jason-McElwain-Rochester-Marathon.ap/index.html
  • george oscar bluth
    7 years ago 09/25/2012 11:26am CDT
    Forum Index
    Care to take a stab at what percentage of the human population can run a 3:01 marathon vs. what percentage of the human population can go potty on their own? It's not a relevant comparison, and it is patronizing.
  • 10srunner1
    7 years ago 09/25/2012 4:31pm CDT
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    It is really is amazing that some people on here just can't give the kid his proper due. Just because you're a Letsrun.com elitist having run your 15 minute 5K doesn't give you the right to judge this kid's results. Have a little class please. It only shows your lack thereof. Don't be the bully back in high school that made fun of the special ed kids.

    As the parent of a young autistic child, I can only hope that my son can aspire to have an athletic achievement such as this. How many people in the US have run a 3:01 marathon or better? I'd be curious to know what that number is or what the percentage of all marathoners is that run 3:01 or better.

    For those of you that don't have an autistic child, you have NO idea what parents go through on a daily basis. It is a grind every single day! There are different severities of autism on the autism spectrum and if I remember correctly, I believe that Jason has Asperberger's which is more of a social disfunction. Let the kid feel good about himself.
  • Dude From DFW
    7 years ago 09/25/2012 5:14pm CDT
    re: 10srunner1
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    10srunner1 wrote:

    It is really is amazing that some people on here just can't give the kid his proper due. Just because you're a Letsrun.com elitist having run your 15 minute 5K doesn't give you the right to judge this kid's results. Have a little class please. It only shows your lack thereof. Don't be the bully back in high school that made fun of the special ed kids.

    As the parent of a young autistic child, I can only hope that my son can aspire to have an athletic achievement such as this. How many people in the US have run a 3:01 marathon or better? I'd be curious to know what that number is or what the percentage of all marathoners is that run 3:01 or better.

    For those of you that don't have an autistic child, you have NO idea what parents go through on a daily basis. It is a grind every single day! There are different severities of autism on the autism spectrum and if I remember correctly, I believe that Jason has Asperberger's which is more of a social disfunction. Let the kid feel good about himself.

    Since the kid is high functioning it isn't that shocking to me. It is an amazing achievement and I don't want to take away from that. He clearly has a passion for sports and he could be used as a motivator for many kids.

    However if he were a low functioning kid and ran a 3:01 that would be like breaking the 2 hour marathon. If you have ever been around low functioning it is way more undertandable how amazing that would be.

    Kid is flat out amazing! but lets not act like he was the first one to break the 4 minute mile here.
  • cenotaph
    7 years ago 09/25/2012 5:28pm CDT
    re: 10srunner1
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    10srunner1 wrote:
    Jason has Asperberger's which is more of a social disfunction.

    that's weird- a socially awkward distance runner. it sounds oddly familiar
  • rochester area guy
    7 years ago 09/26/2012 9:03am CDT
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    I ran for a nearby high school in rochester at the same time as this guy. Everyone knew / loved the kid, and not in a mocking way, he was just a cool bro basically.
  • Indiana1600
    7 years ago 09/27/2012 10:03am CDT
    re: rojo
    Forum Index
    Does his disability make a 3:01 marathon much more difficult?

    If so, then good job goes out to the kid for overcoming it.

    If not, then this is nothing extraordinary and making a big deal of it could be taken as demeaning by implying that anything the kid does is great.