“We Do It as a Team”: Marce, Her Son, & the Miles That Connect Them
Malibu Moves Ambassador Spotlight | April 2026 · Autism Awareness Month
When Marce's son was diagnosed with autism at three and a half years old, the world got louder, fuller, and more urgent all at once. Therapies to coordinate. Systems to navigate. A child to understand in new ways. In the middle of all of it, Marce found running.
Not as an escape. As a reset.
"Running became something that was just for me," she says. "A way to fill my cup before pouring into others, especially my son and his therapies. It's where I find peace, strength, and purpose."
Marce and her running partner push her son along PCH during the Malibu Moves Half Marathon (Photo: Malibu Moves)
What started as a personal outlet became something bigger when Marce noticed her son responding to movement in his own way. Even as a little boy, he loved to move and explore. She started running with him in a stroller and saw something shift.
"Running with him helped calm his sensory system," she says. "It allowed him to take in the world around him in a way that felt soothing and joyful."
Movement became their shared language. Not a workout plan. Not a training goal. Just time together where they could laugh, be present, and feel free.
“Running became something that was just for me. A way to fill my cup before pouring into others. It’s where I find peace, strength, and purpose.”
Finding Ainsley's Angels
Marce first learned about SoCal Ainsley's Angels through another local runner. The organization pairs athletes who use race chairs with volunteer runners who push them through road races, creating space for people of all abilities to experience the energy of race day.
When Marce saw the community, something stood out to her: there weren't many women representing or supporting the mission at that time. She decided to help change that.
"My goal became to encourage more women to get involved and show that we're just as capable and strong," she says. "Being part of SoCal Ainsley's Angels has been such a gift. It's a community built on love, inclusion, and the joy of movement."
Their first race together was the OC Half Marathon. The experience confirmed what Marce already felt in her bones: this was bigger than running.
Why Malibu Moves
After the OC Half Marathon, Marce started looking for the next one. Malibu Moves stood out for the course along PCH, the ocean views from Zuma Beach, and the kind of community the race brings together.
"It's another opportunity to celebrate inclusion and share the road with my son," she says.
Last year, Marce didn’t run alone. Her friend Leah was alongside her as her partner, pushing the race chair together. It's Leah's introduction to supporting Ainsley's Angels, and for Marce, bringing another woman into the mission means everything.
"I was excited for all three of us, my son, Leah, and myself, to share this experience together," she says. "It's such a special reminder that running isn't just about the miles. It's about the people who come alongside you and the shared purpose that brings everyone together."
More Than a Finish Line
Ask Marce what crossing the finish line with her son means and she doesn't hesitate.
"It means everything. It's more than just completing a race. It's a reminder of how far we've come together. It's a symbol of connection, love, and perseverance. We do it as a team, and that feeling is something I'll never forget."
Training hasn't always been easy. There are hard days. But then she looks over and sees her son filled with joy, and the reason clicks back into place.
"Every run reminds me how unique our journey is and how capable I am to support others," she says. "Those moments make every mile worth it."
What Inclusion Really Looks Like
For Marce, inclusion in sport isn't a talking point. It's a practice. It's the race chair that lets her son feel the cheers and the wind. It's the women she's encouraging to show up and push. It's the parents on similar paths who reach out asking how to get involved.
"Inclusion means that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves to be part of something bigger," she says. "When we create space for everyone, we make running, and life, richer and more meaningful."
Movement isn't just one thing. It can look different for everyone. Whether it's pushing a race chair, walking, or running, it connects us all.
“Crossing that finish line with my son is more than just completing a race. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come together. It’s a symbol of connection, love, and perseverance. We do it as a team.”
A Message to Other Parents
Marce knows there are parents reading this who wonder if something like a half marathon is even possible for their family. Her answer is clear:
"Absolutely, it's possible. It might seem intimidating at first, but take it one step at a time. The joy, connection, and fulfillment you'll feel are beyond anything you can imagine. It's not just about running. It's about creating memories and showing your child that together, anything is possible."
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Marce is a 2026 Malibu Moves Ambassador and a dedicated member of SoCal Ainsley's Angels. She'll be running the Malibu Moves Half Marathon on October 25 at Zuma Beach with her friends and family.
Malibu Moves takes place October 24 & 25, 2026 in Malibu, CA. Learn more and register at malibumoves.com.
If you're a parent navigating questions about developmental delays or looking for support, Marce recommends connecting with your local Regional Center. Every area has one, and they exist to help families access the services and resources they need.
The Regional Center serving the Malibu area is the Westside Regional Center, based in El Segundo. Their mission is to support people with developmental disabilities, their families, and communities of choice by facilitating access to person-centered, culturally responsive services and resources.
Learn more at westsiderc.org.
To learn more about SoCal Ainsley's Angels and how you can get involved, visit ainsleysangels.org.
