Mom Ran Injured In Self-Made Marathon For Kids With Rare Syndrome

TINLEY PARK, IL — Coming down the final stretch of her 26-mile run, Laura Brown was greeted by family and friends chanting her name. After crossing the finish line of her self-made track, Brown's very first action was to embrace her children, while holding back tears.

Brown runs the Chicago Marathon every year, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was canceled. Rather than sitting this year out, Brown had the idea of creating her own marathon through the streets and trails of Tinley Park.

Every year, Brown runs to raise awareness for a condition called congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS), a rare syndrome that affects only 1,200 people around the world, including her two children, Josie, 3 and Robbie, 5.

CCHS is a rare breathing disorder that causes apnea, ineffective breathing or respiratory arrest during sleep and sometimes when awake, according to Wikipedia. The condition is present from birth and can be fatal if left untreated.

This year, Brown set a goal to raise $6,000, which equates to $5 for each of the 1,200 people living with CCHS. The money will be donated to the Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome Family Network according to Brown. As of Monday morning the GoFundMe account has surpassed the goal to $8,664.

On Oct. 11, at 8 a.m., Brown set off on the 26.2-mile course through the village. She ran six loops around the self-made course, with water stations available every two miles. While running the track, supporters set up seating areas in various places to watch Brown run.

Old friends of Brown, retired teachers Karen Fitzgerald and Laurie Rapinchuk, were seated just off the intersection of 171st and 84th avenue, cheering Brown on every time she passed by.

"She is an amazing and selfless person. There is nothing she wouldn't do for her children," Rapinchuk said. "She is so humble and kind-hearted ... I've known her for a long time and have worked with her in her department as well. We came out to support her because she is just so genuine," Fitzgerald said.

Some of Brown's supporters joined her on the run for a few miles.

Brown's husband Jeff said all the planning that went into the creation of the marathon was Brown's hard work and dedication.

"It means a lot to us personally because it is something that has affected our family for a few years now. I take no credit for the planning except for the end part," Jeff said while referring to the finish line and snacks.

"She has an injury on her side and is running hurt right now. In the back of her mind she's pushing to finish for the kids to make sure she's going through on a promise she made to help people who are fundraising and bringing CCHS awareness to the community ... I couldn't see her not finishing it one way or another. She's just that kind of person ... when she puts her mind to something she's going to do it," Jeff said.

Brown's mother, Cheryl Host, said she's so proud of her daughter for running regardless of the circumstances at hand.

"There's not a penny that she hasn't donated that has been raised over the past few years," Host said. "I'm so proud of her. She's an extraordinary person and is unstoppable when it comes to anything that will benefit her family, especially her children."

While waiting for Brown to cross the finish line, her daughter Josie said, "she's my wonder mama, I love her so much."

Brown, while injured, finished her run in 5 hours and 7 minutes, which is faster than her time crossing the finish line in 2019, at 5 hours and 14 minutes. Brown finishing her run can be seen below.

"I'm just so happy right now. It was a little warmer than I anticipated, and I am recovering from an injury, so I wasn't running as fast as I wanted to ... my glut muscle is injured, so finishing the race was a literal pain in the butt," Brown said laughing.

"I want to thank everyone for showing support from start to finish on this journey. I am trying not to cry just saying that but it really means the world to me to see so many people supporting this cause."

Brown said the GoFundMe is still accepting donations if anyone would like to contribute to CCHS research. All funds raised will be donated to the Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome Family Network.