On April 20, 2026, the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) made its debut as an Official Charity Partner of the Boston Marathon Presented by Bank of America. For the first time, a team of runners took part in the race, one of the world’s premier marathons, to raise crucial funds to support ALS TDI’s research to find effective treatments for ALS. One of those runners was Connor Melanson, who ran in honor of his father, whom he lost to the disease.

Connor joined us to discuss his experience at the Boston Marathon, why he chose to run with Team ALS TDI, and how his father’s story inspired him to take on this challenge.


ALS TDI: First off, can you introduce yourself and share your connection to ALS?

Connor Melanson: My connection to ALS began in my childhood when my dad was diagnosed with ALS. At the time, my mom and dad were raising my brother and me in Florida. After a 4-year battle with ALS, my dad passed, and my mom moved us to Indiana to be closer to her side of the family. I was five, and my brother was three. 

What inspired you to run the Boston Marathon with Team ALS TDI?

My family has a personal connection to ALS TDI and [ALS TDI’s Senior Vice President of Development,] Carol Hamilton. Carol was a family friend of the Melansons and got involved with ALS TDI after my dad passed. My Uncle Keith Melanson also served on the board for over a decade. While there are many other orgs dedicated to beating ALS, ALS TDI stood out to my family because of their relentless dedication to defeating the disease. Many of those at TDI have dealt with the same struggles my family did — when you have skin in the game, there’s a stronger sense of urgency. 

Can you tell us a little about your dad and how his experience influenced your decision to run?

My memories of my dad are faint, other than what I remember of him on the ventilator. I don’t have any memories of being able to walk or talk, but the stories of him continue to live on. He was a larger-than-life kind of man, with a strong personality. He had adventurous hobbies that he loved: sailing, flying, and carpentry. And from what I’ve heard, he was quite the showman. Although assertive and hard-headed, he cared deeply for people and was a friend to many. 

The fact that he grew up in Natick and built a life in Boston was a huge influence on me. I remember going to see the Boston marathon finish line for the first time in 2024 and being overcome with emotion. Seeing everyone grind it out for their causes while their friends and family cheer them on is such a surreal experience, and I remember tearing up and thinking to myself, “In honor of my dad, one day.” In 2025, I saw everyone’s marathon videos and once again felt inspired to run. I remember the night of the marathon, I texted my brother and some buddies that I was going to run the 2026 Boston Marathon for ALS TDI in honor of my dad. This was before TDI had ever been chosen as an official Boston Marathon charity. Maybe it was luck that TDI finally was selected in 2026, but I like to think my dad was watching over.

What did it mean to cross the Boston Marathon finish line in honor of your dad and the ALS community?

It was a full circle moment for me. To have the opportunity to participate in the Boston Marathon meant the world to my family and me. I had multiple family members come to Boston for the first time, and they had no idea that this was like Super Bowl Sunday for the city of Boston. It was a coming together of two worlds — my mom’s brother, Uncle Bob — who helped raise my brother and me in Indiana — and my Uncle Keith. As well as friends from growing up and friends that I’ve become close to in Boston. All of them were so supportive throughout training and fundraising. 

I remember not feeling a lot of overly sad emotions during the run (probably because I was too focused on not cramping), but when I crossed the finish line, I dropped to my knees and started to cry, overwhelmed with emotion. I said a prayer and thanked my dad for being with me every step of the way. And to be able to do this for the ALS community makes it all the better. But I continue to remind myself that that 4-hour battle of running the marathon is nothing compared to the daily pain that those living with ALS face on a daily basis. They’d give anything to walk or run even a mile, and to me they are the truly inspiring ones.

Why is supporting ALS research at ALS TDI important to you?

No kid should have to grow up losing a parent at a young age. I can only imagine the amazing times my family would’ve had if my dad were still around. I’ll often sit at the beach and imagine he were still here. It’d be him and me sitting in silence and at peace, just watching the planes fly over. Another vision I have of us is sitting in silence on a sailboat and soaking in the sun. ALS took those moments away from me and many others who felt the love and charisma of my dad. Because of the work that ALS TDI is doing, we will one day live in a world where a family member doesn’t have to live in fear of losing someone to ALS — and I believe that day will be in my lifetime. 

To learn more about how you can run a marathon with ALS TDI, click here. 

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