Special Olympics athletes from the City of Vision pushed through to the finish line in their respective long-distance walking competitions during Wednesday’s Unified Team Relay Marathon at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

Approximately 18 athletes and five Special Olympics Rio Rancho coaches took part in the event, which featured four categories: 400-meter walk, 800-meter walk, one-mile walk and two-mile walk. Two of the participants did one-mile runs.

In total, the group combined for 26.2 miles.

Descriptions for each photo are listed below, starting with the first one on the screen:
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Photos 1-2: Special Olympics Rio Rancho athletes compete in the United Team Relay Marathon on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

Chris Velasquez makes his way to the finish line in a 200-meter walk event during Special Olympics Rio Rancho’s United Team Relay Marathon on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

Shiv Patel runs down the street in a one-mile run event during Special Olympics Rio Rancho’s United Team Relay Marathon on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

Don Trujillo (right) and Grace Chacon make their way down the street in a two-mile walk event during Special Olympics Rio Rancho’s United Team Relay Marathon on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

Phil With (left) and Alex Correa (right) take part in a one-mile walk event during Special Olympics Rio Rancho’s United Team Relay Marathon on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

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Photos by Rio Rancho Observer staff writer Matt Hollinshead.