Christopher Burnett, 11, competed in last summer's state Special Olympics track meet at Newberg High School. His photo appeared on the cover of the winter edition of Special Olympics Oregon magazine.

Christopher Burnett stood on the podium, a medal around his neck, joy bursting from every pore.

The Pendleton boy had just won the bronze in the 50-meter run at the Special Olympics State Championships. The track meet took place last summer at Newberg High School.

A photographer captured Christopher’s elation. The photo appeared this month as a cover shot for the winter edition of Special Olympics Oregon magazine.

That day, Christopher’s mother, Winnie Burnett, stood near the finish line, outside a low fence with other parents, cheering her 11-year-old son.

“He wanted to get a medal so bad, the closer he got to the finish line the bigger his smile got,” Winnie said. “When he found out he finished in third place he pumped his fist.”

Christopher, like many children with autism, thrives on routine and focuses intensely on subjects he finds interesting. The Pendleton sixth grader loves chiming clocks and can uncannily mimic sounds. He has memorized every single Interstate 84 exit. Running has also become something of a passion, so much that he joined the middle school cross-country team this fall.

Before that, at this summer’s Special Olympics track meet, he raced to third in the 50-meter dash. A brigade of volunteers dispensed hugs and high fives to the athletes after their events. Each participant received a medal, a t-shirt and plenty of praise for their efforts. The organization serves about 12,000 people with intellectual disabilities in the state, ranging in age from 8 into adulthood. At other events, athletes compete in basketball, volleyball, soccer, bowling, softball, golf, bocce ball, power lifting, skiing, snowboarding, aquatics and snowshoeing.

Christopher was one of 28 athletes that Special Olympic Coach Randy Brown took to Newberg.

Brown, whose daughter is intellectually disabled, originally got involved in coaching to expand her horizons, give her a social outlet and increase her fitness. Now, the Pendleton retiree is simply hooked.

“It’s really gratifying,” Brown said. “You’ve never seen anyone smile as much or bigger than these athletes — win or lose.”

Brown, of Pendleton, said he runs his track practices much like any school program.

“They run, they jump, they stretch — they do it all,” he said. “The more discipline, the more they love it.”

He enjoys seeing his racers improve.

“I’ve watched them come out of their shells,” Brown said. “Christopher has had a lot of improvement. He loves to run.”

Brown hadn’t yet seen the magazine cover. Winnie learned of the photo when Christopher’s special education teacher at West Hills texted her with the news. Parents sign waivers that allow the Special Olympics to use images taken at the organization’s events.

Winnie picked up the magazine the next day and showed it to Christopher. He was stoked as he flashed back to a memorable day. Another big smile.

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Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastoregonian.com or call 541-966-0810