Recently, Nashville Yards set the stage for the Gallagher Way 5K, where the Yards quickly filled with participants stretching and preparing for the race. Families got ready on the sidelines, ready to cheer, while Special Olympics athletes like Matthew Drumright gathered at the starting line. Despite the early start, and the fact that a 5K isn’t his first choice of events, Matthew stood out with the biggest smile on his face. He was ready to go.
For Drumright, the Gallagher Way wasn’t just about finishing a 5K, it was about being part of something bigger. His goals today were to get some exercise and to enjoy himself.
“The best part was being with other people and having fun together”, Drumright shared.
Matthew has been involved with Special Olympics since he was eight years old, and his first sports were gymnastics and horseback riding, before moving on to golf and weightlifting, which are now two of his favorite sports. He has competed at the national level, and by age 12, at the world level for Special Olympics USA at World Games. Over the years, Special Olympics has given him more than just athletic opportunities, but also the opportunity to believe in himself and expand his circle.
“Special Olympics means to me to be confident in yourself and have fun with your friends,” Drumright said.
When asked if he could choose anyone to complete the 5k with Drumright didn’t pick a celebrity or a professional athlete. Instead, he named a fellow Special Olympics athlete, Eric Wilson, underscoring the strong sense of community and the connections made during his time with the organization.
After crossing the finish line at Nashville Yards, Drumright felt a mix of emotions, but it was mostly between relief and pride.
“I was excited,” he laughed, “Excited to be done”.
That is honestly why his story is so relatable, because even though the race felt long, the joy of finishing alongside friends, supporters, and Titans cheerleaders made every step worth it for Matthew. It was a chance to push himself, have fun, and celebrate alongside others. His smile at the finish line was a reminder that the day was really about joy, inclusion, and the power of believing in yourself.
For Gallagher, being part of the Special Olympics Tennessee community goes way beyond just sponsoring an event; for them, it’s about showing up and living their values. Quay Stallworth, Area Executive Vice President at Gallagher in Nashville, explained how the company’s mission naturally connects with that of the Special Olympics. Gallagher lives by a set of principles called the Gallagher Way, which includes respecting and supporting one another and recognizing each other’s talents. Quay shared that these values align directly with the Special Olympics mission of fostering competition, courage, and opportunity.
“It was about getting out and creating joy through competition together, and celebrating a great cause,” Stallworth said.
This 5K also carried personal meaning for Quay. He took on a larger leadership role for the event and described the pride of watching it come together. There was a moment that stood out on the way to the race, when a woman asked where to check in. She wasn’t connected to Gallagher or Special Olympics; she had simply seen the event online and wanted to show some support.
“To see people outside of our networks come out and support shows how important this cause really is,” Stallworth said.
Learn more about the Gallagher Way here.
