How losing their parents led two brothers to the Boston Marathon

Connor and Collin Nally are running the 2026 Boston Marathon to support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Connor and Collin Nally are running the 2026 Boston Marathon.

February 11, 2026

2 minutes to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.

Name: Conor Nally
Age: 33
From: Boston

My brother and I are running the Boston Marathon in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the world’s leading organizations in cancer research and patient care. Our goal is to raise $27,000, and every donation—no matter the amount—helps bring us closer to a future without cancer.

Our motivation is deeply personal. We lost our mother suddenly when I was just sixteen and my brother was eleven, a loss that reshaped our lives far too early. Years later, cancer took our father as well. Heartbreak struck again when my brother’s fiancée lost her own mother to cancer within a year of our dad’s passing. Cancer has touched every corner of our family—stealing parents, altering our paths, and leaving wounds that time can never fully heal.

But from that loss came purpose.

That is why my brother and I are running the Boston Marathon—his second time, my first. What once felt like a bucket-list challenge became a mission after losing our father. We run to honor our parents, to honor his fiancée’s mother, and to stand with every family navigating the pain and uncertainty cancer brings. This race is our way of carrying forward the strength, perseverance, and compassion our parents instilled in us.

One of us has already crossed that iconic finish line carrying our father’s spirit with every step. Now, running together—one brother returning and the other entering fatherhood—this race represents both remembrance and renewal. Our goal is to cross the finish line side by side, carrying the love of those we’ve lost and the hope of those still fighting.

Every mile is for them. Every step is for someone’s loved one. With your support, we can help ensure that fewer families have to live this story. Even through loss, love keeps us moving forward.

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