Gina Mannion prefers to run on trails.

Jogging courses of rough terrain represent the ups, downs, hurdles and rocky roads she’s been navigating since the birth of her oldest daughter 14 years ago.

Maeve Mannion was born with Down syndrome. Her mother uses running as a means to get her to a destination where her daughter will live in a world where special needs children are treated equally.

Mannion, 46, of Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights, said running on the road or a track is familiar to most people.

“You put on a pair of sneakers, go outside and run,” she said. “It doesn’t take a lot of thought. You don’t really need any special equipment.

“Trail running requires a lot more thought. You need different shoes to navigate the terrain or weather. You need to carry hydration with you. You might need a fancy watch so you don’t get lost. As you run trails, you have to be aware of your surroundings — rocks jutting up and tree roots and downed trees. There might be animals, and hills that seem impossible to climb. Raising a child with special needs has not been easy. But we have been rewarded with having a beautiful daughter who loves unconditionally.”

Courtesy of Gina Mannion Gina Mannion, 46, of Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights will run 50 miles of a 260-mile relay course from New York City to Washington, D.C. to help raise awareness for the National Down Syndrome Society. Mannion’s 14-year-old daughter, Maeve, was born with Down syndrome.  

Fighting for inclusion

Gina Mannion said fighting for inclusion has allowed her and her family to make a difference.

That’s why she will log 50 miles as athlete ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society’s third annual Run for 3.21. The multi-day relay, from Friday to Sunday, covers 260 miles from New York City to Washington, D.C., and kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month. It helps to raise money for the Down syndrome community.

The route goes through Newark, Princeton, Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore.A group of runners will run as originally planned and others will complete their run segments from home.

“This event is truly special for participants and our entire community,” says Kandi Pickard, president and CEO of National Down Syndrome Society in a statement. “Our team of athletes have committed to this physical and fundraising challenge because of their passion for loved ones with Down syndrome.”

Mannion is an amazing individual, says Michelle B. Ray, of Wilmington, Del., senior adviser for the National Down Syndrome Society, based in New York City and Washington.

“Gina has brought so much to the Run for 3.21 team the past two years,” Ray said. “As an ultramarathoner, she inspires her fellow runners to push themselves physically, and her love for Maeve is a beautiful example of why we are all so determined to complete this event together. She means so much to our (National Down Syndrome Society) family. We are thrilled to have her back on our team this year.”

The event is usually held on World Syndrome Day, March 21, but was canceled three days before because of the pandemic.

But a pandemic won’t stop Mannion, who has learned to overcome obstacles from when she learned her oldest daughter had Down syndrome.

“My first race I dedicated to Maeve,” Mannion said. “I want her to have everything other children have. She needs to be in a classroom with typical peers. She likes makeup and music other things teenage girls like.”

Maeve Mannion has had 18 surgeries, including the day after she was born for a gastrointestinal issue and at 3 months for her heart. She spent 60 days in UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Courtesy of Gina Mannion The Mannion family of Stanton Heights, Pittsburgh. Gina (front left) and Sean (front right) and their children Maeve, 14, (back left), Michael, 9, (back right) and Maille, 6, (second from left in the front) and Mia, 3.  

Gina Mannion’s husband, Sean, and Maeve, 14, son Michael,9, and daughters Maille, 6, and Mia, 3 will be at the event.

The starting point is the United Nations in Manhattan. The finish line is the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

She will run several legs of the course, which includes the museum steps in Philadelphia known from the movie “Rocky,” where Sylvester Stallone ran to the top as part of his training regimen.

Mannion began running seriously in 2015. She has completed several marathons and ultramarathons; she’s qualified for Boston in 2021.

“Mom is a good runner,” Maeve Mannion said. “Mom, I am excited to go to New York City.”

Courtesy of Gina Mannion Gina Mannion, 46, of Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights will run 50 miles of a 260-mile relay course from New York City to Washington, D.C. to help raise awareness for the National Down Syndrome Society. Mannion’s 14-year-old daughter, Maeve, was born with Down syndrome.  

Gina Mannion has run at least one mile every day since Memorial Day and plans to keep going. She usually runs in the early morning and then goes out one or two more times, thinking of two young Down syndrome girls who died.

“I get to know the moms and the children and their families,” she said. “If I am tired in the middle of a long run, I think of those girls and everything they went through.”

Gina Mannion has raised $8,000 through donations and homemade sugar cookie sales and a pierogi event. You can donate here.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review Trail shoes worn by Gina Mannion, 46, of Stanton Heights will run 50 miles of a 260-mile relay course from New York City to Washington D.C. to help raise awareness for the National Down Syndrome Society. Mannion’s 14-year-old daughter Maeve was born with Down syndrome.  

She’s traded high heels and boots for running shoes.

“I am a shoe girl,” Gina Mannion said. “Only now, they aren’t dress shoes. They are athletic shoes. Some are really dirty because I used them for trail running. Why clean them off? They will just get dirty again.”

She said having a child with special needs is so much like trail running.

“You are constantly navigating obstacles,” she said. “You feel lost. Medical issues and social concerns seem impossible to figure out.

“But you climb over the downed trees. You jump over rocks. You make your way up the hill, even if it is so slow.

“And you get to the top and look around — and you’re rewarded with a spectacular sunrise.”

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