In 2020, the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital featured research participant Steven Blais. At that time, the Woonsocket, RI native, was learning to embrace life in the present after years of living under the shadow of potentially inheriting early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Four years later, his positive mindset has evolved into a global adventure. In his quest to find joy in the journey of life, regardless of what may come next, he has completed all six World Marathon Majors while raising tens of thousands of dollars for Alzheimer's research and building an inspiring community of runners along the way.
"I remember my mom once said as I was growing up, 'Just do something. Do something healthy. Make us proud,'" Blais recalls. "And God, she would be, I think, so proud to get to see all this."
What’s New
Since we last spoke with him in 2020, Blais has married, moved to Boston, and achieved the rare distinction of becoming just the 12th Rhode Islander to complete all six World Marathon Majors – prestigious marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. At each race, he runs with "For Betty" written on his shoes in memory of his mother, who passed away from early-onset Alzheimer's in 2017.
"That's what carries me through every single one of these races, knowing that I'm doing it for something more significant than just personal glory," Blais explains. "The people who have passed, the fighting, the disease – that's what carries me every single step of the way. I know that I'm not running alone."
Marathon Journey
His marathon journey has taken him across the globe, but London holds a special place in his heart. There, he raised approximately $5,000 for the Alzheimer's Society UK in his first London Marathon in 2022, then returned in 2023 to raise another $5,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK. The second London Marathon was particularly meaningful because his father joined him for his first international trip.
"Coming around the corner right before the finish line at Buckingham Palace, I just glanced up into the bleachers arbitrarily, and there's my dad just standing there," Blais remembers. "I stopped and had a special, silent moment with him right before heading on to the finish line. It was just such a joy to see his face at the end of such a hard-fought day."
Creating a Community
While pursuing his own running goals, Blais has also become a cornerstone of the Rhode Island running community. He leads the largest weekly group run in Providence, gathering up to 370 people every Wednesday outside the Narragansett Brewery. The group includes runners of all ages and abilities, from 10-year-olds to octogenarians, some running for the first time, others pushing strollers or walking dogs.
"It's been great to build this incredibly big community of people that just want to come and find that companionship, find a little bit of common ground and happiness together," he says.
Looking to the Future
The shadow of Alzheimer's still looms – since 2020, Blais has lost an aunt and uncle to the disease, with two other family members currently diagnosed, including a cousin only a few years his senior. But rather than letting fear paralyze him as it once did, he continues to channel it into action and hope.
"It's awful. It's just the worst," Blais says of watching the disease affect his family. "But we're motivated by just a lot of hatred of this stupid disease."
That motivation extends across generations, with family members of all ages participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's and other fundraising efforts. His sister has taken up running, too, preparing for her fourth marathon. Their 71-year-old father has recently joined them, participating in 5K races. "Going and doing a 5K with my dad is the coolest thing," Blais beams.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Blais is already eyeing his next challenge. With rumors swirling about Sydney, Australia, potentially becoming the seventh World Marathon Major, he's eager to become the first Rhode Islander to complete all seven. He's also contemplating an ambitious Boston Marathon weekend challenge involving three marathons in different disciplines over two days.
"Finding the positives out of the negatives is the only way you really can get through life with the potential of having this disease," Blais reflects. "I don't know if I have it. I don't know if my sister has it, but we're getting everything out of every single day. I think that's the takeaway for everyone – regardless of what comes, you just have to take every single day and try to make it as great as it can possibly be."