2026 TCS Sydney Marathon Recap
Deb Rizzo and Lisa Nelson post for a photo in Sydney on race weekend. August 2026
In August, runners representing Brave Like Gabe flew to the other side of the world to participate in the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon. With just a handful of bibs for this race, Team BLG faced many hurdles, least of which included jetlag, 20 plus hours of flight time and illness leading right up to race day. Despite a few early setbacks including some teammates with injuries forcing them to cancel their race plans, we had a small but mighty team of three at the starting line and five people collectively raised over $16,000 for rare cancer research.
All around, this race was much more than another opportunity to track the miles or think about chasing personal records. For Lisa Nelson, running has taken on a whole new meaning since her own cancer experience, and running with Brave Like Gabe has also become a meaningful way to honor her late sister-in-law who passed away in the spring from a rare adrenal gland cancer. For Deb Rizzo, our Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Manager, this was a rare opportunity to be representing Team BLG on the course rather than in her usual role of Team Captain/Head Cheerleader.
Kat Landuyt and husband Billy on the train to race course. August 2026
And while running past the iconic sites of the capital city of Australia was a perk, our runners reflected on how the feeling of community and camaraderie left a permanent mark on their hearts. Getting up early to take public transport to the race course was an experience in itself. “The camaraderie of thousands of nervous runners packing into trains and light rails and buses in the wee hours of the morning, chewing bagels, bananas and sipping various versions of salt/sugar water has a little bit of magic to it,” shared Team BLG runner Kat Landuyt.
Conversations sparked with strangers, very quickly felt like catching up with a long lost friend. Even standing in an hour-long line for the bathroom was an opportunity to connect with other runners, some veteran marathoners, and some first-timers who needed a bit of encouragement that Lisa and others were happy to provide! Plus the branded gear, including the custom Brave Like Gabe bow gifted to Lisa by Deb, was an entry point for conversation. “While standing in a very long porta-potty line, I found myself telling them about Brave Like Gabe and why I was running.”
On the course, the relentless energy and optimism from the crowds was unforgettable and provided the support they needed when the miles got hard. Our runners sporting BLG gear heard spectators call out things like ‘Go Brave Like Gabe!’ and ‘Run Brave!’ “They did not know me, but they saw the words I was carrying and shouted them anyway,” said Lisa. “I was struggling by then, and hearing those words gave me exactly the boost I needed.”
For Kat, a veteran marathon runner, the previous few days had been plagued with debilitating sickness. So while she wasn’t able to run at her usual fitness level, she managed to make it through to the end. “Somehow, the body figured it out and I was able to continue shuffling my way through the undulating city to the absolutely SPECTACULAR finish,” recalled Kat. “I've run 12 marathons and this finish line view is unmatched. Period.”
Crossing the finish line in front of the Sydney Opera House was indeed a dream come true. “Holding the medal was a physical reminder of what an honor it was to run for Brave Like Gabe,” shared Deb. “Lacing up half a world away to support rare cancer research was a joy. The real honor and the heart of why I ran was to honor those still in the fight. I thought of my friends as I crossed the finish line and how this race was so much bigger than 26.2 miles.”
“By the time I reached the Opera House, I knew this marathon would stay with me for reasons that had nothing to do with my finish time,” reflected Lisa. “I will remember the people I met, the stories being carried around me, and everyone who helped me get there.”
Lisa Nelson on the race course in Sydney. August 2026
Deb Rizzo poses with her medal in front of the Sydney Opera House. August 2026
Kat Landuyt poses with her medal in front of Sydney Harbour. August 2026.
The custom Brave Like Gabe / TCS Sydney Marathon bow affixed to the race medal. August 2026
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