PHOTO BY: Tatyana McGough

Last week, the Killarney Valley Athletic Club (KVAC) announced their 2026 race ambassador: Canadian Paralympian Maddie Wilson-Walker. Maddie, who lives and trains in Killarney with KVAC, embodies extraordinary resilience. At the age of three, she contracted meningitis, which led to the loss of both legs below the knee, several fingers on her left hand, and hearing loss in her left ear.

Race volunter Natalia Krasnenkova caught up with her at the race's starting point Killarney House and Gardens to discuss the event and her journey."
Today, as a world-class double-amputee athlete, she serves as an inspiration to people of all fitness levels across the community. Maddie is currently preparing to take on the five-mile course alongside all the other participants.
Maddie, you’ve become an integral part of the Killarney Valley Athletic Club since moving here from Canada four years ago. How does it feel to become an official ambassador for the Streets of Killarney race, why is it important to you?

It’s an honour to be the official ambassador for the Streets of Killarney 5 miles’ race! As an athlete with disability it’s so important to have some disability representation in event like this. To show other athletes or people with disabilities that you can achieve anything despite various circumstances.

Your journey and from surviving meningitis as a toddler to competing on the world stage as a Paralympia and is the definition of resilience. For someone in Killarney or Kerry who is looking at the 5-mile distance and thinking, 'I can't do that,' what would you say to help them take that first step toward the starting line?
Never say can’t. That’s my life motto. Just try, starting will always be the hardest part but just because you might surprise yourself!

As a high-performance athlete by Killarney Valley AC, you spend a lot of time on the track. How does the experience of a road race like 'Streets of Killarney' differ from your professional competitions, and what are you most looking forward to about the atmosphere on Good Friday night?
I come from a long jump and sprint background on the track so a road race is very different for me. It’s very much out of my comfort zone but I love a challenge! I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere that the event has to offer and seeing people around the town supporting the runners and getting to run alongside some teammates and just have a really fun time with the race.
You are a powerful advocate for adaptive sports. How important are local events like this in showing that running and athletics are for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, and how does Killarney Valley AC foster that inclusive environment?

I think it’s important to show that athletics is for everyone because growing up I didn’t know anybody who had a disability that looked like mine that was involved in sport until I was already into my track career. Having someone you can look up to and think “if they can do that then so can I” is something a lot of people with disability could really benefit from especially if they are nervous about starting a sport. Killarney Valley AC has been absolutely amazing when it comes to disability inclusivity. If I ever needed any adaptation made to a workout, then they were made. I was never treated differently from the other athletes which it what I like. At the end of the day we are all athletes, I just happen to look different because I’m missing both my legs.

The race is already one-third sold out, and the excitement is building. As the ambassador, what is your 'pro-tip' for the participants who have just signed up and are starting their training program?
Have fun! It’s great to take your training seriously but to also have fun with it. This is going to be a big event for the community and I can’t wait for it!
We can’t let you go without mentioning the wonderful news of your engagement to Jordan Lee! You are both such high-profile athletes and inspirations within the Killarney Valley AC. How does it feel to share your journey and both the training grind and your personal lives and with someone who understands the elite sporting world as well as Jordan does? And can we expect to see a 'Paralympic Power Couple' appearance at the finish line on Good Friday?
It’s amazing having someone to share this journey with like Jordan, we both have disabilities so we both understand some of the struggles we face but we also both see what we’re capable of. We’re each other’s built in cheerleaders so you will definitely be seeing him at points in the race cheering me and the rest of Killarney Valley on!