The January/February 2016 issue of Women's Running will feature Kiley Lyall — a 24-year-old half-marathon runner with autism, the first autistic runner to be featured on the cover of a major fitness magazine. In an inspiring interview with the magazine, Kiley explained how she took up running after being diagnosed with autism and severe epilepsy at a young age. Even now, running doesn't come without its risks for Kiley, who says she had two seizures last year during her first half-marathon. Though the on-site paramedics suggested she stop the race, Kiley ended up finishing without any additional complications. Her brave stance: "My autism doesn't take over my days anymore. Although my lifelong seizures have recently become life threatening, when I run, it relieves so much stress on my brain, allowing me to function much better through most days!"

Kiley beat out 4,000 other applicants for the magazine's Cover Runner Contest [1], and she's not the only cover model they've chosen to represent runners of all ages, sizes, and ability — the recent cover with plus-size model Erica Schenk [2] is another example of how the magazine is putting diversity center stage.

While we'll have to wait a few more months until the official cover reveal, keep reading to learn more about Kiley.

Kiley frequently participates in races with her mother, Kathleen — another runner! On the effect running has had on Kiley, Kathleen said, "I just can’t express the change in her in a year’s time."

Kiley met with Women's Running editors (pictured here) in San Diego on Nov. 9 for her cover shoot — and was gifted a new running wardrobe.