About Us
Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit redefining what inclusion in athletics looks like.
We are a fully integrated running, walking, and wheelchair racing team where athletes with developmental disabilities train and compete alongside their typical peers — not separately, but together.
Founded in 1998 with fewer than 15 members, Rolling Thunder now supports over 200 athletes across the United States.
But from the beginning, the goal was never just growth.
It was inclusion.
It was inclusion.
An Inclusive Model
Rolling Thunder is a fully integrated running and track & field program where athletes with developmental disabilities train and compete alongside their typical peers.
Training is structured and year-round, preparing athletes to compete successfully in mainstream competition at every level.
Athletes participate in:
Leadership & Vision
Rolling Thunder was founded in 1998 by Coach Steve Cuomo, a lifelong runner and inclusion advocate who believed that athletes with developmental disabilities deserved the same opportunity to train, compete, and belong alongside their peers.
What began with fewer than 15 athletes has grown into a nationally recognized, fully integrated program serving over 200 members across the United States.
Under Coach Steve’s leadership, Rolling Thunder has helped athletes compete in local, regional, and national competitions while building confidence, independence, and lifelong skills.