On Marathon Monday in Boston, every mile tells a story. For Colin Gerner, President, CEO and Co-Founder of StacheStrong, this one is deeply personal.
After losing his brother GJ to glioblastoma in 2019, Colin turned heartbreak into purpose. What started as a way to process grief became one of the most dynamic forces in brain cancer research in the country. And at the heart of it all, from the very beginning, has been running.
From One Marathon to a Global Movement
The first marathon Colin ran helped launch StacheStrong and raised $50,000. GJ joined him for the last six miles, in the middle of treatment. That moment set the tone for everything that followed.
At this year’s Boston Marathon, Colin set himself a goal of raising $250,000 in a single race to help launch a five-year, $1 million research grant at Massachusetts General Hospital, in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research. It is the kind of impact that proves what is possible when a community decides to show up and run.
StacheStrong has now funded over $7 million in glioblastoma research across 65+ grants at 40+ institutions. Marathon fundraising has been one of the biggest drivers of that growth, and the community of runners behind this mission is growing every year.
Why Running Raises So Much More Than Money
There is something about running a marathon that moves people in a way that other fundraising simply does not. When someone you know is putting their body through 26.2 miles for a cause, you show up for them. You donate. You share. You cheer.
That momentum is real, and it is measurable. StacheStrong’s marathon community has grown to 150+ global runners, raising funds that go directly to accelerating glioblastoma research. Every bib. Every mile. Every dollar. It all counts.
Running a marathon for StacheStrong is not just a fundraising opportunity. It is a statement. It says that you refuse to accept a disease that has not seen meaningful improvement in survival rates in decades. It says you are running for the families sitting in hospital waiting rooms right now, trying to make sense of a diagnosis that changes everything.
Run With StacheStrong in 2026
StacheStrong has charity bibs available for some of the world’s greatest marathons in 2026 and beyond. Whether you are a seasoned runner or this would be your first race, there is a place for you on Team StacheStrong.
| Race | Date |
| Rome Marathon | March 22, 2026 |
| Copenhagen Marathon | May 10, 2026 |
| Cape Town Marathon | May 24, 2026 |
| Sydney Marathon | August 30, 2026 |
| Berlin Marathon | September 27, 2026 |
| Chicago Marathon | October 11, 2026 |
| Dublin Marathon | October 25, 2026 |
| TCS New York City Marathon | November 1, 2026 |
| Tokyo Marathon | 2027 |
Already have a bib for one of these races? Even better. Get in touch and run it under the StacheStrong banner.
Apply for the 2027 Boston Marathon
Inspired by what Colin and Team StacheStrong achieved in Boston this year? Applications are now open for charity bib opportunities at the 2027 Boston Marathon. Running Boston for StacheStrong means joining one of the most passionate, mission-driven teams on the course, and raising funds that go straight to glioblastoma research.
Every Mile Matters
Glioblastoma is relentless. But so is this community.
If you have ever thought about running a marathon, let this be your reason. Pick a race, join the team, and run for something that matters. The research being funded right now at institutions across the country is moving from the lab to patients. Clinical trials are opening and progress is happening.
It happens because people like you decide to run.
Learn more on our research page to see what we’ve made possible so far, or visit v.org to support the V Foundation partnership.