DENVER -- On any weekend morning in Colorado, the voice of race announcers yelling "Runners set, Go!" can be heard.

The 8th Annual First American State Bank Fitness Festival was no exception.

As runners raced past the starting line, most were wearing bright white T-shirts with the event logo boldly displayed. "This only the second year we did a T-shirt design contest. We thought this was a race for the kids about learning to live healthy so we wanted to include them in the design," said Debbie Lepetsos, a race coordinator.

Hundreds of students from Cherry Creek School District entered a competition to design this year's logo.

The winner may surprise you.

"First of all, I was very impressed that he did the race," said Don Vasicek, a race supporter. "I also thought the design was very creative."

The computer-generated artwork highlighted six sneakers surrounding the event's name.

Ryan Hawley designed the logo and participated in the race as the only wheelchair racer.

When Ryan was 6 months old, his parents learned he had cerebral palsy. Now, he's 20 years old and preparing for a career in graphic arts.

His life's had a few challenges, his mom admits. "Ryan is only able to use his right arm. Both legs and left arm and hand are affected from cerebral palsy as well as his speech," said Joan Hawley. She's also the first to tell you, he's an incredible man.

"Ryan's my teacher. He teaches me a lot about life. He teaches me a lot about accepting who you are and finding a gift in what you have to offer. His acceptance of his own limitations doesn't bar him for being willing to try," said Joan Hawley.

Ryan speaks with the help of a computer and gets around in an electric wheelchair.

He had typed a few important thoughts to share with us. "I want to tell people not to judge a person's ability based on the disability they have. This has been my biggest challenge, to have people give me a chance," said Ryan though his computer.

Ryan got that chance this year. Learning that his design was selected was one of his biggest accomplishments. No computer was needed to hear his excitement. "I couldn't believe it," said Hawley.

As a recent graduate of Cherry Creek School District's Transition Program for Special Education, Ryan had hands-on training in graphic arts and even completed a workplace internship at Gensler design firm in Denver.

"I think one of the greatest things is his infectious smile and just his love of life," said Amy Siegel of Gensler.

So, on race day as Ryan approached the finish line, applause could be heard from all directions and you could see his famous smile.

"Yeah, Ryan," the crowd cheered.

His dad may be able to sum up the experience best of all.

"As people were running, they would recognize Ryan and they would high five him or say 'Hey Ryan, thanks for running.' It was really neat. I would classify myself as the beaming dad. I'm just totally proud of the work he did, the ideas he had and that he won. It's an awesome, awesome thing," said Walt Hawley.

Ryan's next plan is to attend Arapahoe Community College and make a career of graphic designing.

To view links that have been part of Ryan's life, visit Very Special Arts Colorado

Cherry Creek School Transition Program

Fitness Festival