Every step is powered by purpose, love, and the determination to change the future of ALS.
Some runs start with a race bib, but Alli’s begins with a promise. Her path to the New York City Marathon is deeply personal, born from love, loss, and the strength it takes to keep going when life changes in an instant.
Years ago, before the diagnosis, small moments began to signal that something was wrong. What started as a simple weakness in her husband Joey’s wrist while holding their first child, became the beginning of a journey that would test every part of their family’s spirit. Through it all, Alli has remained steady. She is a caregiver, a mother, and now a runner who carries her hope with every mile.
Her connection to Project ALS began through friendship and faith, leading her to a community that understood exactly what her family was facing. It gave her a place to channel her strength, a mission to believe in, and a way to honor Joey every step of the way.
As marathon day approaches, Alli runs for her husband, for every family living with ALS, and for the belief that this disease is not incurable—it is underfunded.
Leading up to the race, we sat down with Alli to talk about what drives her connection to Project ALS, the challenges of training, and the story that inspires every mile.
How has training been going so far?
Not good! It started off really strong, but the last five or six weeks have been rough. Upping the mileage is hard. I’ve done several half marathons but never a full, and going past 13 miles is tough.
I got up to 16 and a half miles on a new, hilly route, and I think I overdid it. I hurt my hip—maybe my knee, I’m not sure. It could’ve been from the run or just daily life, helping Joey or the kids. Either way, I’m injured, but I’m not dropping out. I’m doing PT and massage therapy, and I’ll make it to the finish line even if I have to walk some of it.
Why did you choose to dedicate your marathon to raising funds for Project ALS?
They’ve been so supportive of us. From before Joey’s diagnosis until now. They’ve always been kind and thoughtful, not just to me but to our whole family.
Even when we visit New York, they make time for us and our kids. They’ve watched our family grow and treat us like their own. It means so much to be connected to the organization you’re running for.
What are you looking forward to most on race day?
The sights! Running through the city from a street view is such a unique perspective. And the fans make it so fun. The cheering is incredible. I don’t do anything else in life where people cheer for me, and it’s all strangers!
Even when I’m walking, people still cheer. There’s such a huge variety of runners, and the crowd goes wild for everyone. It’s such an exciting atmosphere.
What does hope look like to you in the fight against ALS?
I think hope looks like setting small, tangible goals—something to look forward to every week or month. This disease can be discouraging, so having things planned, even small joys, helps keep your spirit up.
For us, it’s weekend trips to the beach or taking the kids to Build-A-Bear—something to look forward to when days are hard. It gives us purpose. Hope, to me, is having a future you’ve thought about. It might not turn out how you imagined, but working toward it keeps you going.
What message do you hope to share with people who support your run?
I guess I’d tell people: don’t give up on someone. Things can seem devastating, but that doesn’t mean they’re hopeless—it might just turn out differently than you imagined.
Even with all the challenges, we try to find fun things to do as a family. We travel, we make memories. But I’ve noticed that the longer someone lives with ALS, the less people check in or offer support. It’s like they think, “You’re still alive, so you must be okay.”
But maybe they’re still alive because of all that support. So keep showing up. Help them stay hopeful and connected. Project ALS is doing incredible work that could help people you know. Don’t give up on them or on hope.
Support Alli’s marathon fundraiser here.
