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Support Her Sole: How Adrienne Bunn Found Her Voice—and a World Record—Through Running

Sports Lifestyle

Support Her Sole: How Adrienne Bunn Found Her Voice—and a World Record—Through Running

Jan 13, 2026

Discover how Adrienne Bunn, a world-record-holding triathlete and autism advocate, found her voice through running. Explore Hibbett and Nike’s Support Her Sole initiative and its inspiring partnership with KultureCity in Birmingham.

Hibbett and Nike’s Support Her Sole initiative transcends athletic performance; it’s a celebration of the stories that move us, the barriers that crumble before determined women, and the powerful reimagining of what is possible. In November, one of those remarkable journeys arrived in Birmingham, Alabama, for the KultureCity Race. The weekend brimmed with celebration, community, and inspiration, but above all, it marked the culmination of a months-long journey with an athlete who is rewriting the story of endurance sports: Adrienne Bunn. As Grand Marshal and half-marathon participant, Adrienne entered Birmingham not merely as a runner, but as a world-record holder and an emblem of hope for the neurodivergent community.

Adrienne Bunn wearing Nike running shoes
Adrienne Bunn with a horse
Adrienne Bunn wearing Nike running shoes
Adrienne Bunn with a horse

A Silence Broken by Motion

Adrienne’s story didn’t begin on a podium in Hawaii; it began with a struggle for a voice. Diagnosed with autism at age four, Adrienne was non-verbal in her early years. Her parents, June and Bob, navigated a world that often lacked the resources and understanding their daughter needed. Early on, the family discovered a spark of connection through equestrian therapy. Horses offered Adrienne a sensory-rich world in which she could develop focus and confidence. Yet it was a teacher’s creative encouragement in grade school—challenging Adrienne to dash around the school parking lot—that revealed her true North. “Running transformed her,” her mother June recalls. “It calmed her.” The steady rhythm, the pursuit of clear goals, and the liberating release offered Adrienne a language she had never known before.

From the Parking Lot to Kona

That simple circuit around the parking lot became the gateway to the Special Olympics triathlon pilot program, where Adrienne’s love for sport ignited. She didn’t just participate; she soared. In October 2023, Adrienne took her talents to the world’s biggest stage: the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. At just 18 years old, she faced the grueling 140.6-mile course—a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run. Adrienne didn’t just finish. She made history as the first known woman with autism to not only complete the IRONMAN World Championship, but to win her division in her debut year. The sensory overload of Kona—the crashing waves, the roaring crowds, the relentless heat—posed a formidable challenge, but Adrienne met it with the same grit that once helped her find her voice.

Adrienne Bunn sitting on couch
IRONMAN metals won by Adrienne Bunn
Adrienne Bunn sitting on couch
IRONMAN metals won by Adrienne Bunn

Birmingham: Coming Home to KultureCity

Hibbett’s partnership with KultureCity, a Birmingham-based non-profit dedicated to sensory accessibility and inclusion, was a natural fit for the conclusion of Adrienne's Support Her Sole feature. KultureCity has been a pillar of support for Adrienne, sponsoring her as a triathlete and providing the platform for her to advocate for others. Serving as Grand Marshal for the KultureCity Race in Birmingham was a full-circle moment. Watching Adrienne lead the pack, then lace up her shoes to conquer the half marathon, was a living testament to the spirit of "Support Her Sole."

Adrienne Bunn with metal after KultureCity Race
Adrienne Bunn post KultureCity race
Adrienne Bunn with metal after KultureCity Race
Adrienne Bunn with metal after KultureCity Race
Adrienne Bunn post KultureCity race
Adrienne Bunn with metal after KultureCity Race

The Journey Continues

Adrienne Bunn’s journey reminds us that every stride matters. Whether she’s finding peace in a stable, focus in a parking lot, or glory on the lava fields of Kona, Adrienne proves that supporting her sole truly means lifting her soul. We are honored to have shared this journey with Adrienne and KultureCity. As we look toward the next chapter, one thing is certain: Adrienne Bunn is just getting started, and we’ll be cheering her on every step of the way.

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