For the Martones of Connecticut, Devon had always been the runner throughout their decade-long relationship. It was something Brandon never imagined for himself, until one moment changed everything and pushed him to start from scratch.
Now, with the help of Project Purple, the husband and wife duo are preparing to run the 2026 Berlin Marathon as “Team Bobo,” in honor of Brandon’s dad, Jim, who is bravely battling pancreatic cancer. Every mile will be a tribute to his resilience, his humor, and the unwavering role he has played in their lives – and to a race day that means way more than just crossing the finish line.
You can be a part of Brandon and Devon’s journey as they run for Jim and raise awareness for pancreatic cancer by making a donation to their team page here.
The Push to Start
Running has long been a part of Devon’s life. After playing lacrosse in college, she found herself searching for something to replace the structure and purpose that sports once gave her. “I signed up for a half marathon right after I graduated,” she says. “I just needed something to work toward.”
That small goal quickly grew into something much bigger. One race led to another, and soon Devon was tackling full marathons. For her, it wasn’t just about fitness; it was about discipline, mental clarity, and testing her limits. “It’s almost like a form of meditation,” she explains.
Brandon, on the other hand, had never been a runner. “I worked out, but it was always for short-term goals,” he explains, “like getting in shape for our wedding. I never did something like this; something long-term, something that really changes your lifestyle.”
That began to shift during a pivotal chapter in their lives. After Devon signed up for two marathons within the same month, she learned that she was pregnant with their first child. What followed was anything but ordinary.
When it was time to deliver their son, Mason, potentially life-threatening complications from childbirth left Devon in the hospital for ten days. She spent four of those days in the ICU. “It was really traumatic,” Brandon recalls. “We almost lost her.”
And despite this traumatic experience and the toll it took on her body, just four months later, Devon stood at the starting line of the New York City Marathon: her first major. For Brandon, watching her run was transformative. “To see her go almost dying, to running a marathon… it didn’t even seem real,” he says. “The next day, I started running. I just knew I had to do something.”
Literally the very next day, he signed up for a local Turkey Trot, setting what felt like a manageable goal. Shortly after that, he found himself researching how long it would take to train for a marathon. “When I go into something, I go all in,” he says.
A New Challenge at Home
As Brandon’s running journey was just beginning, another difficult journey was already unfolding for his family. His father, Jim, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a couple of years earlier.
In late 2023, while on vacation in Mexico, Jim began experiencing puzzling symptoms: fatigue, jaundice, and a persistent sense that something wasn’t right. After a series of tests, uncertainty, and various misdiagnoses, doctors finally discovered a mass that turned out to be pancreatic cancer.
From there, life moved in a whirlwind: Jim underwent chemotherapy, followed by radiation, then the Whipple procedure: a grueling operation that lasted about 15 hours. Afterward, he continued with another round of intense chemotherapy. And Jim endured it all with a level of resilience that left a lasting impression on his family.
“He went through everything just to be there for us,” Brandon says. “He postponed treatments to be at our wedding. He fought to be there for the birth of our son.” Now, unfortunately, the cancer has returned and progressed to Stage IV, spreading to his lungs. Yet Jim’s mindset remains focused not on fear, but on making the most of his time. He bravely chose to stop treatment in December and is now prioritizing quality of life.
“He is back to himself,” Brandon shares. “He comes over once a week for dinner, and he spends a lot of his time with Mason, his only grandson. It’s still very tough mentally for all of us, but we try to focus on the happy moments.”
Brandon recalls the moment they learned the cancer had returned in September: “When we found out, my sister, Jim, and I went to Florida for the weekend. He just said, ‘I want to see a palm tree.’ It was simple, but it meant so much.”
The weight of this re-diagnosis has shifted the family’s focus. “It’s really taught us to live in the moment and focus on the happy things to look forward to,” Devon explains. “It brought us closer.” That mindset now guides Jim’s mental focus as well.
“He started setting small goals,” she says. “First, it was Christmas. Then Easter. Then Father’s Day.” It is the simple things, like a weekly get-together with friends, a casual Wednesday night meal, or spending time with his grandson, that keep him going.
The Heart of Their Journey
Brandon immediately knew that if he was going to run a marathon, it had to be for his dad. “This is the reason I’m doing it,” he says. “There wasn’t a doubt in my mind.”
Choosing Berlin wasn’t random. Devon had already entered the lottery for multiple races, but hadn’t been selected. One of their friends, whom Devon was originally supposed to run the New York City Marathon with before she got pregnant, got into Berlin through the lottery, sparking Devon’s determination to find another way in.
Devon was set on making it happen, not just for herself, but for Brandon as well. “I wanted to find a charity that meant something to us,” she says. When she came across Project Purple and learned about its work supporting pancreatic cancer patients and funding research, she immediately felt the connection. Knowing what Jim was going through, the choice felt obvious. “We didn’t even apply to any other charities,” she says. “It just felt right. We found our charity.”
That decision was made even more meaningful by Project Purple’s roots in Connecticut. “The fact that it was local meant a lot to us,” Devon adds. “It made everything feel more personal, like we were truly part of something bigger.” When they told Jim about the organization, his reaction confirmed it. “He lost it. He was so excited,” she says. They recall him saying, “That’s a winner,” one of his signature phrases.
For Jim, loyalty has always been everything, and supporting a cause close to home, one that now reflects his own journey, felt like the perfect fit for their family. That same loyalty defines who he is. He spent over 40 years working at the same post office, a reflection of his steady commitment and dedication. But more than that, it shows in how he treats the people in his life.
“If you’re in his circle, if you’re his ‘pally,’ as he calls it, you’re his pally for life,” Brandon says. “He’ll do anything for you.” And no matter where they are, Jim is always just a phone call away. Whether they were on their honeymoon in Africa or on a quick trip to Florida, his response never changed: if they needed him, he would be there, no questions asked.
That same presence carried through life’s most important moments. When Devon was in the hospital after giving birth to Mason, Jim showed up every day, simply to sit beside them. “He’d say, ‘I don’t need to hold the baby, I just want to be here,’” Devon recalls. Even when told he didn’t have to come, he still did. Because for Jim, showing up has never been optional: it’s who he is.
When the duo began thinking of a name for their running team, that same sense of loyalty inspired them to pick “Team Bobo.” Jim has long been known as “Jimbo” – it’s even on his license plate – and over time, the nickname evolved. Brandon and Devon started calling him “Bo,” and eventually, the younger members of the family turned it into “Bobo,” a name that has stuck in place of “Grandpa” or “Uncle.”
Mason’s middle name, James, is also a tribute to his grandfather, so naming their team after him felt natural; it’s a testament to the deep loyalty that defines both Jim and the family around him.
Juggling Miles and Life
Training for a marathon is never easy, and for Brandon and Devon, it has meant juggling work, family, and the responsibilities of parenthood while still putting in the miles. Early mornings and late evenings have become their routine, and every long run requires careful planning around Mason’s schedule and their jobs. “It’s a lot of late-night treadmill or stroller runs,” Devon says. “We’re a three-man pack. Mason’s my favorite running buddy.”
The logistics of scheduling each workout are a constant juggling act. Brandon and Devon coordinate around each other’s plans, taking turns watching Mason so the other can run. Once he’s asleep, the parent on duty can hit the treadmill or the road. It’s a back-and-forth rhythm that requires patience, flexibility, and close teamwork.
But it’s more than logistics—their commitment to the race drives them to push each other. “If I’m not really feeling like doing my workout, she always helps me on the treadmill,” Brandon says. Even when he isn’t training, Devon keeps him involved, inviting him to simply sit by her while she runs on the treadmill.
Their partnership is built on accountability: checking in, motivating each other, and making sure neither skips a session, no matter how busy or tired they might be. “We communicate constantly,” Brandon says. “We say, ‘This is non-negotiable.’ We push each other, and it works. We’re a good team.”
And it’s not just Devon providing motivation: Brandon gets it from his dad as well. When Jim learned that he would be taking on the marathon, he was admittedly surprised, but full of pride. True to his character, he constantly encourages his son with a simple mantra: “Let the doubters push you. Let it drive you.”
Thinking about everything Jim has been through keeps them going on those long days when all they want to do is quit or skip a workout altogether.
“He went through chemo, radiation, even the 15-hour Whipple surgery,” Brandon says. “From the very beginning, it’s amazing how well he took everything and just kept fighting. That pushes me every single day. I was never a runner, but now I definitely consider myself one. I would never have done this or put myself through all the training if it weren’t for that reminder.”
Thinking about Jim’s incredible strength is inspiring, yet part of what keeps them going is simply the joy of the journey. “He’s a character, and certainly the funniest guy without even trying,” Brandon says. “He’s witty, always a step ahead.” Since a marathon is such a long endeavor, they know it’s important to make the experience fun along the way, so they will carry his humor with them in every step.
Berlin and Beyond
Race day is shaping up to be an emotional and unforgettable experience for the Martones. They’ve run a five-mile race together before, and crossing that finish line was thrilling, but Brandon says this marathon feels entirely different. “We’ve been together for 12 years, and Devon has been wanting me to run a race with her forever. Now I keep saying to her, ‘Here we are. Look at us. It’s actually happening!’”
Part of what makes it so special is that it will be a full family affair. In Berlin, many of their relatives will be cheering them on, and having Mason waiting at the finish line for a hug adds an extra layer of meaning. “It means everything,” Devon says. “Doing this for Brandon’s dad, alongside my husband, my partner for life, and our son—it’s hard to imagine anything we do together topping this!”
Getting to Berlin has also been an incredible experience thanks to the support of their community. “People just come out of the woodwork,” Brandon says. He shares how he played hockey his whole life and has started receiving donations from former teammates he hasn’t spoken to in years. “It’s great to reminisce on those times we’ve had and see the impact my dad has had on so many people.”
But while it’s been wonderful for the Martones to receive this support, it has also been monumental for Jim himself. “It’s been incredible that even people he hasn’t spoken to in five or ten years have reached out or shown up for him,” Devon says. “Seeing that has meant so much to him.”
To support Brandon and Devon’s run for Jim and help raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, donate to their fundraising page here.
If you’d like to run or participate in an event of your own for Project Purple, visit our events page.
