Mat-Su teen to run in marathon in honor of his brother

June 1, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume/ Frontiersman

MAT-SU - A boy is racing to help others survive what killed his 11-year-old brother in 1998.

Casey Marre, 16, a junior at Houston High School, lost his older brother Logan to Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Marre said he will run the 26.2 mile Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Rock-and-Roll Marathon in San Diego with the Washington-Alaska team on June 3. His brother's name and the names of other honored patient's will cover his arms, legs and shirt.

&#8220Logan wanted to do it when he was younger, and since he couldn't, I decided to do it for him,” he said.

In February, Marre, who plays football and hockey, started fundraising and running as much as 16 miles a day for the marathon. He needed to fundraiser $4,500 to participate. More than 75 donors helped him raise $7,068.

His mother Kelly Marre said it fills her heart with pride when she sees Marre lace up his running shoes.

&#8220It helps Casey to help others in his brother's name,” Kelly said. &#8220To me, it's just absolutely amazing that he has decided to do this, has stuck to this and stayed committed to his brother's memory.”

She walked the marathon with a friend and family in 1999, barely seven months after Logan's death.

Kelly said the 26.2-mile marathon, which she walked, was the farthest distance she had ever put her feet to the pavement, and while it was difficult, it was beautiful because it gave her the ability to do something just for Logan.

He had played basketball, baseball and soccer and planned to give back after he recovered by running in the marathon. He never got the chance.

&#8220I remember Logan, before he got sick, he must have been 8 years old. He got to go watch the movie ‘Forrest Gump,' and he wanted to run home,” Kelly said. &#8220That was a good two-and-a-half miles.”

Marre's parents, grandparents and girlfriend will watch him run the marathon, and he could meet San Diego's Mayor Jerry Sanders, who sent a letter requesting to see him at the marathon.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2250 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.