By Brittany Amalfi

April 20, 2026, will mark Russell Becker’s 14th Boston Marathon. But for Becker, the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston represent much more than a historic athletic challenge. Each step is part of a decades-long family commitment to fighting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Becker is running to raise funds for the Angel Fund for ALS Research, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that supports cutting-edge ALS research. His motivation is personal—multiple members of his family have battled the disease across generations.

His connection to the Boston Marathon goes back long before he ran his first race. Russell’s grandfather, who was friends with the head of the Boston Athletic Association, would bring family members to watch runners pass through mile 24 each year, long before the race was as publicized as it is today. 

“They developed this love of the marathon and love of running,” Becker said. “From that point on, a lot of my aunts and uncles started running marathons themselves.” Two of Becker’s uncles eventually ran the Boston Marathon, turning the race into a family tradition.

The marathon’s meaning changed quite dramatically in 1989, when Becker’s grandfather died of ALS. Back in that timeframe, ALS was not as widely understood and was typically diagnosed late. 

A few years later, another family member, Becker’s uncle Jimmy, also died from ALS.

Through genetic testing, Russell’s family later learned more than 50 relatives carry a familial ALS gene, which means the disease has affected or could affect multiple generations. “It’s something our family has had to navigate together,” Becker said.

One of Becker’s uncles, Richard “Ratt” Kennedy, became a prominent individual in the fight against the disease. After connecting with the Angel Fund, Kennedy began running the marathon—35 consecutive years— to raise funds for the organization. He also eventually became the president of the Angel Fund. 

“Richard never sleeps, and he never stops,” his nephew said. “Despite being diagnosed with the disease, the work is never done for him. Even now, he keeps pushing forward.”

Another uncle, Jake Kennedy, who founded Christmas in the City, an organization that runs non-denominational holiday events for children and families who are experiencing homelessness, was also diagnosed with ALS and later passed away from the disease.

Growing up, Becker said ALS awareness and charity work were constant parts of his life.

“My upbringing was surrounded by fundraising, supporting research, and honoring the people we lost,” he said.

Becker ran his first Boston Marathon in 2011, while a sophomore in college, after an uncle helped him secure an entry. He hasn’t stopped since.

And the race continues to keep a deep-rooted meaning in Russell’s life as additional family members were diagnosed with ALS. “When I first started, it meant I was doing my part and challenging myself,” Becker said. “Now it means carrying on the legacy of the people who shaped my life.”

This year’s marathon adds even more emotion because it will be Becker’s first Boston Marathon since his daughter was born. His wife and two children will, of course, be watching and rooting for Russ along the course. 

“I’m excited to see my family out there,” he said. “It gives the race new meaning.”

The Boston Marathon is more than a race to Becker— it’s a cultural moment that brings communities together.

“There’s something sacred about it,” he said. “People come out from everywhere. You feel the energy, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

But most importantly, he believes the miles he runs can help make a difference in the fight against ALS.

“It allows me to think that maybe the next generation of my family could have their lives saved because of the research being funded,” Becker said. “That hope keeps me running.”

In just a few short weeks, when Becker crosses that yellow and blue finish line, he won’t be alone. He will be carrying the memory of the relatives he has lost to ALS, and honoring the legacy of his family that has spent decades fighting the disease. Russell Becker knows every mile is a reminder that hope and the possibility of a cure are worth running for.