'Slow and steady': Milwaukee math teacher proving limited mobility is no barrier to marathon achievement

Milwaukee (CBS 58) – In most classrooms, you’ll find a teacher at the center commanding the attention of their students. Reid Buranosky is no different.

At St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, a math lesson is all about growth.

“I’m the middle school sixth, seventh, and eighth grade math teacher,” said Buranosky. “I enjoy coming here every day and enjoy teaching all these students.”

Growth and exceeding expectations are just part of the curriculum, including the one Buranosky sets for himself.

“I mean, I tell my students sometimes – I’m like yeah, I did 13 miles the other day,” said Buranosky.

He may not walk or travel like most people, but on the Oak Leaf Trail, Buranosky gets to compete like everyone else.

“The first time, I showed up in a medical wheelchair, one that you find in a hospital and people there were like no, that’s not an everyday chair,” said Buranosky.

On this trail, he gets to compete like everyone else.

That’s the mission of the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association and the mission for Cindy Hausner.

“You see their excitement and their passion,” said Hausner. “What’s important is that we all have opportunities for sports, we all have opportunities for fitness, to be active, regardless.”

It starts small and then soon, the wheels are turning as fast as Buranosky can go.

“After two or three or four weeks, I got up to 13 miles,” said Buranosky.

It’s preparation for something bigger.

“It’s allowing me to be engaged in these physical activities,” said Buranosky.

Last year less than 50 racing wheelchair participants completed the Chicago marathon. This year, Buranosky hopes to be one of them.

“I’m hoping for 3 hours and 30 minutes for the marathon and they’re like you’re gonna beat that time,” said Buranosky. “Not only the people that are having CP or any other physical limitation or disability, but a way for everyone to educate each other.

Today, he’ll run 8 miles. On October 13, he’ll have completed 26.2. In the classroom, he might command the attention of his students, but on the track, he hopes to command the attention of everyone.

“If you asked me this four years ago, I’d be no like probably not. I can’t even really walk that far without needing a small break,” said Buranosky. “It’s a start.”