Brian ran high school cross country and track. After high school, he took 20 years off from running. He decided to start up again at age 39, telling himself that he would be in better shape in his 40’s than 20’s and 30’s. He started over on his running journey.
4 years ago, his life quickly changed. His 4 year old grandson was diagnosed with Leukemia. Since he could not take the chemo and radiation treatments himself, Brian decided to take action.
“I told myself that if he could be brave and strong for this, I could surely run a 1/2 marathon.”
The Ronald McDonald House was there for Brian’s family when they needed to be close to his grandson, Brady.
“No parents should ever be far away from their children in that time of need. [The Ronald McDonald House] was there for my family.”
Brian finished that very first 1/2 marathon and has completed 8 others since then. Last fall, Brady had his last Chemo treatment and rang the bell. He is doing great, a normal 8 year old playing little league.
“I decided to step up my game and run my first full marathon in his honor. I ran with Team RMHC and raised over $700 for them. This year, I ran my second full marathon in Chicago with Team RMHC, raising $3,000!”
Team RMHC is filled with runners motivated by similar stories. They have each been touched by the love and care that flows from the Ronald McDonald House. This fall’s Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon boasted over 18,000 runners, each carrying their own unique story. However, 23 of those runners were Team RMHC runners, taking each step in tune with their end goal of keeping families close at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. The stories of Team RMHC runners are what drives them, what motivates them to stomp out another mile, what encourages them to finish the fight! Twenty-three runners completed a fall marathon or half marathon knowing they were providing more nights of rest to families of seriously-ill children in their greatest time of need.
23 runners.
13.1 or 26.2 miles completed.
Total Raised: $11,865.29
Nights of Rest: 119
Miles trained: 2,821
Ready to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of RMHC families? Join Team RMHC for our spring season OR sign up for the Hot Chocolate Run on Sunday, Nov. 20th benefiting RMHC of Central Ohio families!