MILTON-FREEWATER – William Durfee runs 30 miles each week to train for long-distance races, but he isn’t your typical athlete. The tall and lanky 22-year-old competes in Special Olympics.

And he’s fast, too.

So fast he’ll be one of 15 Oregon Special Olympics athletes on Team U.S.A. at the World Games in Dublin, Ireland in June. Durfee will run the half-marathon and 10,000-meter run.

“I will be on part of the team from the USA. I just got selected,” he said. “I got the letter and I was like, ‘Wow, neat!'”

Durfee was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, and probably has the mental capacity of a fifth-grader, his aunt and guardian Lorri Swiger explained.

He doesn’t converse well with others, is shy, and likes to stick to a familiar schedule. But he loves sports, and especially excels at track.

In high school, Durfee tried running cross country, but had trouble following the routes.

That isn’t a problem in Special Olympics. “We show them the route or tell them this is how many times you have to go around the track,” Swiger said.

Training, however, is a family affair for the Swigers.

They show Durfee his running routes, and usually go with him the first few times – but on bikes while he jogs.

“Nobody can run with him. He just goes and gets tired of waiting for people,” Swiger said.

“No one can keep up with me, I’m too quick and too fast for them,” Durfee said. “I’m pretty fast. I sure am.”

Durfee will intensify his training in March from three days a week to six, his uncle and coach Gary Swiger said.

Through the winter, Durfee has focused on endurance and worked with other coaches to develop a training schedule.

Aside from keeping in shape, Special Olympics offers Durfee an important social outlet, Lorri said.

“Society in general veers away from someone with a handicap. This gives him more interaction with people,” she added.

Special Olympics also give Durfee a chance to shine and medals to display.

Durfee has been involved with Special Olympics since 1980, and also competes in softball, bowling, swimming, skiing, golf and basketball.

The entire Swiger family volunteers for Special Olympics, and Lorri and her two daughters will watch Durfee compete in Dublin.

The World Games will be held outside the United States for the first time this year, said Nathan Buehler, director of communication and marketing for Special Olympics Oregon.

Durfee is excited about going to Ireland, although he’s still a little nervous.

He’s been saving money from his job delivering the East Oregonian for the trip, but said he doesn’t have anything special he wants to see.

“I haven’t seen any of it. Hopefully I’ll find something good.”

For more information on Special Olympics Oregon or the World Games visit www.soor.org.