New marathon to highlight, celebrate Magic Moments participants

Running and finishing marathon — all 26.2 miles — is an accomplishment for many. But this April, runners will have the chance to celebrate more than just crossing the finish line at the first BHM26.2, which supports Magic Moments. 

“They are doing something more than just completing a race. They represent the families of those that are affected by childhood cancer,” said Christina Nelson, the mother of two-time cancer survivor Ally Nelson.

Ally Nelson, a senior at Chelsea High School, was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in 2012. Her family met with Magic Moments while she was being treated at Children’s of Alabama during her first diagnosis. 

When they heard about BHM26.2, Christina Nelson said they saw it as a way to give back to an organization that had helped their family. The race will feature at each mile marker a family or child who has had their wish granted by Magic Moments.

“The children at each of the 26 mile markers tell a different Alabama child’s journey who has received a special moment from Magic Moments as well as been treated by the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama,” said Anna Martin, Magic Moments Development Coordinator. “Having the kids at every mile provides the opportunity for runners to interact with the children benefiting directly from the proceeds of the race.”

Previously, the circus served as a fundraiser for Magic Moments. When Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced the circus would be coming to an end, however, Martin pursued the chance to host a marathon.

Oak Mountain Intermediate School fifth grader Meredith Dyer will also participate in the race. She received her wish to travel to New York City through Magic Moments after being diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. 

“Every single person working with my child during her cancer journey treated our family with love and respect,” said Ginger Dyer, Meredith Dyer’s mother. “I will forever be grateful to the brilliant medical staff for the treatment and individualized attention we received for our daughter’s life.”

Their family is just as thankful, Ginger Dyer said, for Magic Moments.

“Magic Moments as well treated our family with love and kindness,” she said. “Magic Moments made my daughter’s dream come true with a trip to New York City and provided a family memory that we will treasure forever. They went above and beyond, ensuring that our family felt loved and special with every single detail.”

There will be several race options, including a full and half marathon, a relay option for the full marathon, a 5K for kids and a 1-mile fun run.

The race will take runners past Vulcan Park & Museum, through Uptown, past Legion Field and other Birmingham landmarks. While the half-marathon will stay downtown, the full course will take runners through Homewood, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook. The marathon is a 2019 Boston Marathon qualifier race.

At the end of the races, everyone will come together at Railroad Park for an after-party with a kids’ zone, food and live music.

Registration feeds are $95 for the marathon, $85 for the half-marathon, $260 for the five-person adult relay, $210 for the five-person junior high/high school relay team, $25 for the fun run and $40 for 5K. For more information, go to bhm262.com.

The marathon is Sunday, April 15.