Featured Profile : Derek Brown
My name is Derek Brown and I am a junior at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. I’m 20 years old and I run marathons to raise awareness and funds for Neurofibromatosis (NF). I run these marathons for my brother, Austin Brown, who is currently 17 years old and has been living with NF for about 14 years.
My father, Jeff Brown, motivated me to start running by dragging me out to Chicago to run the Chicago Marathon. We ran the marathon with a team of runners dedicated to raise NF awareness and took off on the 26.2 mile escapade. It was quite the experience and I enjoyed every second. That’s how my marathonning career began.
I have set a few running goals for myself along the way. I have decided to run a marathon in every state, all for NF awareness. On my quest for 50 I have already conquered 4 states, including: MA, VT, PA, and IL. In total I have run 5 marathons (I did 2 marathons in MA).
Another goal I have set for myself is to FINISH! Finishing the race is just as important as starting it. When I begin a race, I remember why I’m running and who I’m running for and commit to finish it all. There is no feeling that matches the one you experience when you cross the finish line knowing that you are running for something bigger than yourself.
This is why I invite all you non-runners out there to become involved in a cause, whether it’s Neurofibromatosis or a cause that has a special meaning to you. Just knowing that your involvement is making a difference in the world is a feeling that cannot be taken away and is intangibly rewarding.