In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston on April 15, 2019.

Name: Tony Brake

Age: 54

From: Evansville, Indiana

Bib #: 25552

I’m participating in my seventh Boston Marathon and also my seventh as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) team raising funds for innovative basic cancer research. I’ve run — or following total hip replacement surgery in 2013, walked — in memory or honor of several family members impacted by cancer, including my father-in-law, Marvin, and my brother, Tim. Their battles with brain cancer ended with their passing in 2008 and 2014, respectively. Just two days prior to my last Boston Marathon appearance in 2017, my mother, Pat, decided to end her fight with endometrial cancer and enter into hospice care. She passed away just two months later.


While I’ll be walking the 2019 marathon in memory, honor, or support of so many who have been affected by cancer, I’ll be paying a special tribute to my mom by completing marathons on consecutive days. On Sunday, April 14, I’ll participate in Tough Ruck, rucking a 35-pound backpack over the full marathon distance in support of Military Friends Foundation. Less than 24 hours after crossing the Tough Ruck finish in Concord, I’ll cross the start line in Hopkinton toward the Boston Marathon finish in downtown Boston.

By attempting and completing this feat, I’m hoping to raise heightened awareness and, more importantly, action in the form of monetary donations toward my DFMC fundraising efforts and my $26.2K goal. Every penny raised will be directed toward cancer research via the Barr Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). I’ve never had anyone in my family treated at DFCI — I live in southwestern Indiana — but believe in the quality of their research, and, while my efforts can’t bring back those loved ones I’ve lost, I’m confident the treatment advances they help fund will spare others the heartache that I and so many others have endured.

Check out our entire “Why I’m Running” series.


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Editor’s note: Entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.