Boston Marathon
Leslie Wallus is running the 2026 Boston Marathon for Massachusetts General Hospital.
Leslie Wallus is running the 2026 Boston Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Wallus)
April 1, 2026 | 4:19 PM
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: Leslie Wallus
Age: 44
From: Boston
This year, I am running the Boston Marathon – 26.2 miles with a purpose deeply personal to my heart.
On February 20, 2025, our world changed. Our three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor — astrocytoma. The very next day, Eloise underwent a 12-hour tumor resection. Those were the longest hours of our lives, placing our child in the hands of strangers and hoping — with everything we had — that they could save her.
They did.
Because of the extraordinary team at Massachusetts General Hospital, Eloise is here. “Eloise the Brave” is a brain tumor survivor.
I am honored to run in support of MGH, specifically Eloise’s pediatric oncology unit. They didn’t just treat a diagnosis — they cared for our daughter as a child and supported us as a family through the most terrifying days of our lives. Their expertise saved her life. Their compassion carried us through.
Training for the Boston Marathon is a journey itself. Every long run gives me space to reflect on what we’ve been through — the fear, the hope, the setbacks, the miracles, and the people who carried us when we could not stand on our own.
I think of this great challenge ahead and think of our amazing neurosurgeon and his unwavering confidence.
When the temperatures dipped below zero this winter and staying home felt easier, I thought of the PICU nurses who never left Eloise’s side. Who balanced precision with tenderness. Who cared for her like she was their own.
When the wind whipped across Heartbreak Hill, the snow piled up and the miles felt impossible, I thought of the day Eloise began walking again. The sheer joy that took over and how proud we were of persistence and strength.
When 26.2 miles feels overwhelming, I think of Eloise, who bravely faced a diagnosis no 3-year-old should have to — and met it with courage far greater than any finish line.
I run because there are families receiving the news we once received. Families who are still waiting for their miracle. Families who may not get the outcome we were blessed with. On race day, when the miles get hard, I will be channeling Eloise’s strength. I will be thinking about the children still fighting. Those children are the reason every mile matters.
Here’s to Eloise the Brave.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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