How we began

The Team Boyle Foundation is a 501(c)3 that began back in 2016. It all started when Dan Boyle was determined to push his and Christine’s daughter, Courteney, who was 16 years old at the time and used a wheelchair, in the 19.3-mile Glass Slipper Challenge, at Walt Disney World. Courteney had just experienced significant medical challenges that greatly impacted her life expectancy. Christine and Dan knew the time was NOW for her to be pushed 19.3 miles at Walt Disney World! Disney World was the place where Courteney and her brother Kevin, who is adopted from El Salvador and also has disabilities, each had their Make-A-Wish trips, thus making it one of the most special places on earth to the Boyle family.  Dan was shocked to find out that runDisney had a “no mobility aid” policy which prohibited athletes like Courteney from participating by being pushed in a racing chair by a non-disabled runner/pusher. He had already pushed her in 5ks, 10ks, and half-marathons all over Ohio and he knew other “big” cities allowed running/push-duos, so he knew he had to advocate for change.

After many months of advocacy and getting the U.S. Track and Field Federation involved, prayers were answered and dreams came true! Dan received a phone call from the runDisney director, personally inviting Courteney and him to be a part of the 2016 Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend! The rules had been changed! Barriers were broken! Dan and Court quickly became trailblazers, changing the future not only for themselves, but for countless other push-duos who have participated in all runDisney races!

Before they knew it, the father-daughter duo’s story that broke down barriers at Disney was shared everywhere. From local print media, including multiple local newspapers and Cleveland Magazine, to every TV news channel in Cleveland, their story gained attention. Dan and Courteney’s story became a national news story too! They were even featured online on Sports Illustrated and on Headline News.

Knowing that this race had taken on so much significance, the Boyles realized that running with Courteney could mean so much more than just that. They decided that running with Courteney would become “Running with Purpose.” And so they chose to run to raise money for a young lady in El Salvador named Rina, who lived neglected with significant medical needs and disabilities. With all that hype around that first race at Walt Disney World and the national media attention, the Boyle’s raised over $12,000 for her care in a matter of just a little over 48 hours! That money was used to move Rina from a life of neglect to a new life with a family who welcomed her into their home and has lovingly care for her since 2016.

It became apparent to Dan and Christine that they could use running for good and they decided to formally start a non-profit foundation, the Team Boyle Foundation. The mission would be “Running with Purpose” by using Dan and Court’s incredible story and races to raise money and awareness for various causes and needs in the disability community! To date, Team Boyle has raised over $35,000 for the special needs community. The money raised has gone towards incredible endeavors that bless and serve the disability community and people with disabilities.