NORTHPORT, NY — A Northport man is preparing to run each major marathon in his wife’s memory.
Darren Handler founded Handler Hope Foundation after his wife, Lauren, died of breast cancer at the age of 38 in May 2022. After his wife’s death, Handler got into exercising and running to take care of his mental health, he said.
“I always ran a little bit. I used it as a mental health crutch when Lauren passed away,” he told Patch. “I decided to set goals for myself.”
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Handler wants to run each of the seven courses in the Abbott World Marathon Majors: London, Berlin, Tokyo, New York City, Boston and Chicago. Sydney, Australia, is set to be added in 2025. He plans to raise money for breast cancer research along the way.
“All of it,” he said, is to honor Lauren’s memory.
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People can donate to Handler’s fundraising page ahead of the London Marathon here.
Only about 0.17% of the population has run a marathon, according to Marathon Handbook. Even less people have run them all.
Handler ran the Austin Ascension Marathon in Texas last year, which he said “was a lot of fun.”
The London Marathon is scheduled for April 21. Handler plans to raise money for Breast Cancer Now, a charity in the United Kingdom that raises funds for breast cancer research and secondary breast cancer research. Secondary breast cancer research refers to when breast cancer spreads around the body.
“It can be treated, but it currently can’t be cured,” Breast Cancer Now stated on its website. “Our research could help buy more time so people can live their lives to the fullest for as long as possible.”
Breast Cancer Now’s mission aligns with that of Handler Hope Foundation, Handler said.
Click here to learn more about Handler Hope Foundation through a Q&A.
Lauren suffered from HER2 positive breast cancer which metastasized to her brain.
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“We do need more focus on secondary breast cancer research,” Handler said. “There’s not enough emphasis on it.”
Handler was able to enter the London Marathon through Breast Cancer Now, but was able to gain entry to Berlin and New York City for 2024. He got entry to those through an operator, or someone who buys hundreds of entries to the marathon and packages them together with flights and hotels, Handler explained. He will run for Handler Hope Foundation in those two marathons this year, he said.
He plans to run the remaining four major marathons over the next year or two.
“This is definitely a multi-year goal. It can’t be done in one shot,” he said.
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