WINDSOR — When Roger Barraby joined the track and field team in high school, he knew he’d found his sport.

“The one thing I’ve always loved about my sport is, you’re really competing against yourself and it really is all up to you,” said Barraby, who graduated from Windsor High School in 2014 before going on to compete at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. “I think that’s a really powerful thing to be able to rely on yourself and set goals, day to day, to get there. It was something I hadn’t really done before. It was really hard and rewarding.”

Now Barraby, 27, is lacing up his sneakers again as he prepares to compete in the Gay Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, this November. The games were founded in 1982, and the nonprofit organization’s mission is to “promote equality, diversity and inclusion through sport and culture,” according to its website. The competition is open to athletes of all abilities, ages, gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs and health status.

Barraby, of Cornish, first heard about the Gay Games in 2019, and was intrigued. He decided to compete for two reasons: “One was that the level of competition matches where I’m at in my athletic career. It’s a challenge but at the same time they have athletes from all genders and all ages,” he said. “Anything that supports the queer community and provides that safe space is something I’m into; I support.”

Barraby began training in January with assistance from his college coach, who advises him virtually. He trains at Windsor High’s track multiple days a week. He is preparing to compete in the 200-, 400- and 800-meter running events, and the 4x400 and 4x200 relays, but will not make a final decision until closer to the games. The LGBT National Help Center is supporting his endeavor and a portion of the funds he raises will benefit the nonprofit organization.

“It’s not just a suicide hotline, but they handle those types of harder topics. It can be finding community, it can be with talking about your personal life, it can be coming out,” said Barraby, who said part of his partnership with the nonprofit has been talking to the public about the help center at area Pride events. “Yes, the money matters too, but I think the visibility is really important.”

Barraby said his high school track teammates were supportive when he came out in high school. The amount of time they spent training, traveling and competing together created deep bonds.

“Ever since I started in track and field, teammates have become my closest loved ones,” Barraby said.

A decade later, some of his best moments of preparing for the Gay Games have involved people, he said. Those who cheered him on when he started running in high school a dozen years ago are cheering him on today, either through fundraisers or words of support.

“They’re invested too, so now I have to do even better,” Barraby said.

Since graduating high school, Barraby has helped coach Windsor High track athletes, and he hopes he will inspire others to continue their athletic pursuits even after they’ve finished school.

“It is nice … for the high school students to see my career doesn’t have to end here. If I work hard, I can make it in college, I can do some global competitions,” he said. “If you keep going, you can still accomplish more and more and more. You don’t have to stop if you’re capable of more.”

Editor’s note: For more information about Barraby’s participation in the Gay Games, visit gofund.me/7667d7b6. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.