This fall, two runners—Jason Noel and Alex Urquhart will lace up their shoes and take their marks for a marathon that’s about more than personal achievement. They’ll be representing Team American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) in the Berlin Marathon, marking the organization’s first-ever international race. For both runners, this event is deeply personal.
One runs with glioblastoma. The other runs because of it.
Jason Noel: Running as a Lifeline
For Jason Noel, running has always been about clarity and discipline. But after his diagnosis with glioblastoma, the sport transformed into something far more powerful.
“In the early days of recovery, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever walk steadily again, let alone run,” Jason shared. “So when I took those first steps, it wasn’t about pace or distance anymore—it was about reclaiming something that felt lost.”
Today, running is Jason’s form of prayer, therapy, and protest. He runs to raise awareness, to honor others affected by brain tumors, and to push back against the limitations his GBM diagnosis tries to impose. His training is guided by purpose: “Berlin isn’t just a race. It’s a statement—we’re here, we’re strong, and we’re not giving up.”
Facing glioblastoma has been, in his words, humbling and unpredictable. But Jason draws strength from his faith, family, and community—and from the daily act of movement.
“I may have glioblastoma,” he says, “but it doesn’t have me.”
When asked what advice he’d give to someone newly diagnosed, Jason offers this: “Take a deep breath. Stay active in whatever way your body allows. And above all, hold onto hope. This journey isn’t easy, but you are not alone—and you are stronger than you know.”
Alex Urquhart: From Reluctant Runner to Relentless Advocate
Alex doesn’t call himself a runner—at least not in the traditional sense.
“Do I love running? Hell no,” he admits. “But I’m deeply appreciative of it.”
That appreciation began in a remote Greek village, where a lack of gym equipment and a need to stay in shape turned miles of rugged terrain into his personal training ground.
Alex’s marathon journey started as a way to stay fit and led him to his first half-marathon and eventually, the full circuit of marathon majors. What began as a way for Alex to find peace on a long run took on a deeper purpose after his dad was diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) in 2020.
“My dad passed away in October 2023,” Alex says. “GBM robbed him of his personhood. There’s no nobility in watching someone suffer through this. It just sucks.”
For years, Alex didn’t talk about it. But training for the Chicago Marathon in 2023 became a turning point. “I finally went public with my story. Within three hours, I hit my fundraising goal—and heard from more people than I do on my birthday.” Since then, he’s used running—and fundraising—as a platform for awareness and connection.
Running in Berlin with Team ABTA gives Alex the chance to give back and honor his dad’s memory. “These platforms build community,” he says. “It’s been a way for me to meet others who are running for those affected by a cancer diagnosis.”
His advice to others supporting a loved one with GBM? “Be patient with your patient. And find someone who gets it—someone outside your circle, who understands your grief without needing an explanation. That kind of connection is priceless.”
Berlin: A First for Team ABTA, a First for the Cause
As Team ABTA heads to Berlin, these two runners will carry far more than bib numbers. They’ll carry names, memories, and missions.
Jason will run as a survivor determined to show what’s possible. Alex will run as a bereaved son determined to ensure no story goes untold. Together, they are turning personal pain into purpose—one mile at a time.
To support Jason, Alex and Team ABTA’s mission, visit: abta.org/get-involved-team-abta.
