From High School Trails to Marathon Miles: Julia Runs for Her Brother

Julia is a wife and mother of three (expecting her fourth in February) who loves staying active and spending time with her family. When she isn’t running, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and exploring the outdoors with her children. Running has always been a part of her life, giving her space to reflect, recharge, and connect with the people she loves most.

Julia is running the marathon in memory of her brother, Army CPT Thomas Borel, who died on 12 January 2019. “Running has always been a thread in my life, one I shared deeply with my brother,” she said. “We ran cross-country together in high school, and later, during college breaks, our runs gave us space for some of our deepest conversations.”

Tom was brilliant and hardworking, pursuing his dream of becoming an Army doctor. He cared for patients during his residency at Tripler Army Medical Center and had aspirations to specialize in treating soldiers with PTSD.

This marathon will be especially meaningful for Julia because she will be joined by her sister-in-law, Liana—Tom’s widow—who will be completing her first marathon in his honor, timed around what would have been his October birthday.

For Julia, running this marathon is an act of remembrance and healing. “Doing this marathon in his honor will be a special way I can create another memory with him,” she reflected. “It will feel like one last run together.”

Cohort Update

With just a month to go, Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program athletes are hitting their peak mileage and will spend the next few weeks maintaining their fitness and health—ready to complete the 26.2 miles on the Marine Corps Marathon course through the heart of our Nation’s capital.