Mile 100

Fifteen-year-old Brian Marelo, who was born with spina bifida, has become expert at defying the odds. This year, Brian completed the Crescent City Classic 10K in 45:52, faster than 96% of participants.​

​When Brian Marelo was born with his spinal cord growing out of his back, doctors said he would never walk. His initial diagnosis was grim – that Brian would lie in a bed and have no quality of life. The Marelos made it their mission to give their son the best life he could possibly have, spending day after day in occupational therapy and dealing with the challenges that came with his diagnosis, including epilepsy and hydrocephalus requiring a shunt. With 20 operations under his belt, Brian Marelo has had “more surgeries than birthdays — and we never know when the next will be,” his mother said.​

​They celebrated each of his milestones, and as he grew, he developed an interest in sports, playing baseball, soccer and basketball with The Miracle League. He later joined the Lafayette-based Cajun Wheelers. In 2024, when he participated in a 5K fundraiser for the youth wheelchair basketball team, he discovered a need for speed, and he hasn’t stopped since. ​

​“I wasn’t supposed to be able to do all these things I currently do,” said Brian. “You’re only going to hurt yourself if you believe you can’t. But if you try, you might find out that you can.”