Mother Trained to Run Marathon With Daughter

An Evanston mother is preparing to push her daughter, who has PHACES syndrome, in the Chicago Marathon.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Special Needs

Bold vector editorial illustration of two distant silhouettes on a lakefront path, one person pushing a racing stroller, representing endurance and caregiving. — Megan Lassman is training to complete the Chicago Marathon while pushing her daughter, Penelope, who lives with the congenital condition PHACES. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Megan Lassman is currently training to navigate the Chicago Marathon while pushing her 21-year-old daughter, Penelope, in a specialized running stroller. This effort aims to highlight the experiences of caregivers supporting individuals with complex disabilities.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to increase public visibility for families managing rare congenital conditions. By participating in large-scale endurance events, the pair draws attention to the needs and inclusion of those with disabilities in community activities.

This effort follows the model of a father-son team who previously completed 1,000 endurance events together. While this story is based on individual training, the impact of such visibility on community awareness for rare syndrome care is ongoing.

The players

Megan Lassman

An Evanston resident who is a caregiver and marathon trainee.

Penelope Lassman

A 21-year-old living with PHACES syndrome, a complex congenital condition.

The details

Penelope lives with PHACES, a congenital disorder that impacts multiple systems including the heart, brain, eyes, blood vessels, and sternum. Megan Lassman was inspired to undertake this training after seeing a billboard featuring a father pushing his son in endurance races. The training involves physical conditioning to safely handle the requirements of the course while accommodating Penelope’s specific health needs.

October 2026 is when the Chicago Marathon will take place.

Health Landscape

This initiative reflects a broader movement toward greater accessibility and inclusion in mainstream endurance sports. It follows the established pattern of advocates using large-scale athletic events to increase public understanding of complex medical conditions.

For caregivers managing complex congenital conditions like PHACES, this story underscores the value of seeking community and visibility. Discussing adaptive physical activity options with your care team can help identify safe ways to incorporate movement and social engagement into your routine.

The takeaway

Seeing these challenges represented on a public stage can help reduce the isolation often felt by families managing rare disorders. If you are a caregiver, consider reaching out to local disability advocacy groups to find similar community-building initiatives in your area.