Evanston Mother Trained to Push Daughter in Marathon

Megan Lassman plans to run the Chicago Marathon while pushing her daughter, who has PHACES syndrome.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Special Needs

Bold vector illustration of two empty racing wheelchairs on a path, representing athletic inclusion and family endurance. — Megan Lassman is preparing to run the Chicago Marathon while pushing her daughter, Penelope, who lives with PHACES syndrome, to promote disability visibility in sports. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Megan Lassman of Evanston is training to push her 21-year-old daughter, Penelope, in the Chicago Marathon. Penelope lives with PHACES, a rare congenital disorder that impacts the heart, brain, eyes, and sternum.

Why it matters

Lassman aims to raise visibility for the daily realities faced by parents and caregivers of children with complex disabilities. Her effort highlights the inclusion of athletes with diverse needs in major endurance sporting events.

Penelope is a 21-year-old living with the congenital disorder PHACES, which affects her heart, brain, blood vessels, eyes, and sternum. The inspiration for the effort came from a billboard showcasing a father who completed 1,000 endurance events with his son.

The players

Megan Lassman

She is an Evanston resident currently training to push her daughter in a major endurance event.

Penelope Lassman

She is a 21-year-old living with a congenital condition known as PHACES.

The details

Inspired by seeing a billboard of a father pushing his son through endurance challenges, Lassman decided to pursue the goal of running the marathon with her daughter. The effort focuses on ensuring Penelope can participate in the Chicago course despite the limitations posed by her congenital condition.

The Chicago Marathon is scheduled to take place in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This effort aligns with the growing societal trend of increasing the inclusion of adaptive athletes in major road races like the Chicago Marathon. It reflects a shift away from traditional participation models toward more inclusive, family-centered endurance experiences.

Residents may see Lassman training along routes in Evanston and Chicago as she prepares for the upcoming race. The effort encourages other local families to explore adaptive participation options in city-wide athletic events.

The takeaway

Lassman demonstrates how personal inspiration can drive advocacy for families managing congenital health conditions. Her journey highlights the logistical and emotional preparation required to bring visibility to the disability community in a public forum.