Need a New Year 's Resolution to Change your Life? Join Team ASK (Athletes for Special Kids).

Athletes for Special Kids is a training program to help people compete in endurance events in honor of children receiving services at Special Kids, Inc.

Mackenzie Lowe, 15, has decided to do just that. After her grandmother, Sarah Simerly, asked her to join the team as a birthday present, Mackenzie decided that competing in the Country Music Half Marathon would be the perfect New Year 's resolution.

Special Kids is like my family, Lowe said. We have been with Special Kids for 9 years now. Ever since my sister, Meridith has gone, and I have gone, they have changed my life. I know that wearing the wristband with a child 's name on it is all the motivation I need to finish the race.

Special Kids provides outpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing services to children with special needs and is continually in need of outside funding in order to continue providing quality services to children in Middle Tennessee.

Team ASK is the largest fundraising event for Special Kids and is currently recruiting people willing to compete in the Country Music Marathon or Middle Half Marathon.

Lowe 's grandmother, Simerly, has been an athlete for Special Kids for over 3 years. It has become a family project since her son in law, Bill Lowe, developed the program in 2001 out of the need for funding at Special Kids. Since then 3 out of Simerly 's 4 grandchildren have received services at Special Kids and she is motivated to continue helping this organization through their Athletes for Special Kids program.

Mackenzie may be young but she has a huge heart for all of the children at Special Kids. She sees joining Team ASK as her way of giving back to an organization that has made a huge difference in her family.

It is amazing to see my sister smile, use a talker and even run the Kids ' 1-mile Race, Lowe said. She would never have been able to do any of this if it wasn 't for Special Kids. My favorite thing about Special Kids is when you walk through the doors, and see the children 's smile, you see that God is there, and is working miracles in their lives. I challenge all of you to go visit Special Kids, because when you walk out of there you will never be the same.
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January 31, 2026