Eric Tozer is no stranger to the outer edges of human endurance. After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2006, the now-42 year-old from San Diego turned to long-distance sports, conquering multiple Ironman triathlons and running across the United States in a 15-day relay. In 2019, he tackled the World Marathon Challenge, becoming the first person with Type 1 diabetes to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 consecutive days.
Yet when he stands on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge this November for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, it won’t be about setting a blazing personal record. It will mark his first 26.2-mile race in over 7 years, and this time, the inspiration begins at his own kitchen table.
A Family Mission
With his wife, Jen, serving as Executive Director of A Foundation Building Strength (AFBS), stories of the reality of Nemaline Myopathy (NM) are a daily part of Eric’s household.
“Running for AFBS is deeply personal for our family,” Eric explains. “I see firsthand the sobering reality of what Nemaline Myopathy means day in and day out. Watching the immense impact this disease has on these resilient kids and their families constantly puts life into perspective and drives me to do whatever I can to support them.”
Nemaline Myopathy is a rare congenital neuromuscular disorder that disrupts the thin filaments of skeletal muscle, causing severe muscle weakness throughout the body. For individuals with NM, everyday functions like walking, swallowing, and breathing can require immense effort, assistive equipment, and nonstop regimens of physical therapy. Because there are currently no approved therapies, the work funded by AFBS remains the hopeful lifeline for advancing scientific breakthroughs toward human trials.
Eric is dedicating his 26.2 miles to children he’s had a chance to get to know across the NM community, specially 14-year-old Liv, whose resilience inspired him to push through his own six-week injury setback this summer.
“Recently, Liv underwent a massive spinal fusion surgery, a brutal procedure many kids with NM face, and her fearless, positive attitude in the face of incredible pain and severe risks was nothing short of heroic,” Eric says. “Carrying Liv’s relentless spirit with me is what will push me through all 26.2 miles in NYC.”
When the Plan Changes, You Adjust
Stepping back into high-volume marathon training after years away was never going to be easy, but the road to New York delivered a major curveball. In June, an Achilles injury sidelined Eric from running entirely until mid-September.
“As disappointing as it was, it became an opportunity to shift my goal from chasing a specific time (2:55:00) to simply getting to the start line healthy,” Eric says. “Now that I’m back running pain-free, the real win is crossing that line healthy and having enjoyed those iconic 26.2 miles around NYC, and, most importantly, representing and raising support for the NM community.”
Pivoting required patience, creativity, and a heavy dose of cross-training. To keep building his aerobic base without loading his healing tendon, Eric turned to tethered swimming, tying a bungee cord around his waist to swim in place, and logged 5 a.m. strength sessions five days a week on a home Tonal system. Living in a hilly neighborhood also meant driving 20 minutes to locate flat training paths, or embracing the steep inclines to build raw power.
For Eric, navigating the setback was also a teaching moment for his two daughters, ages 10 and 13: “To show them what real commitment looks like, and that an obstacle like an injury doesn’t mean you stop. You adjust, keep working, and keep going.”
Racing for the Kids Who Show True Strength
Alongside his physical preparation, Eric committed to raising at least $5,000 for AFBS, hoping to blow past that mark by race day. His fundraising blends direct personal storytelling with outreach to outdoor and running brands, securing team gear donations and opening up conversations with new donors.
Every dollar raised through his campaign goes straight to funding research, supporting pre-clinical drug discovery, natural history registries, and gene therapy candidates designed to halt or reverse the effects of Nemaline Myopathy.
“Meeting these kids and seeing their strength and determination firsthand lit a fire in me that I hadn’t felt since the World Marathon Challenge. It makes every 5am wake-up and long training run worth it. If I can carry even a fraction of their strength and resilience with me on race day, I know I’ll cross the finish line with a smile. With your support, we can help fund critical research and make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
When Eric joins thousands of runners winding through the five boroughs, he won’t just be proving what is possible with diabetes or celebrating his return to marathon racing; he will be running stride for stride with a community whose courage reshapes what strength truly means.
Support Eric’s Journey
Please consider supporting Eric, Team AFBS, and the children and families at the heart of this mission. You can read more about his journey and make a donation directly to his personal campaign by visiting his GoFundMe Page.
A Foundation Building Strength (AFBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of treatments for Nemaline Myopathy. Our mission is to fund cutting-edge research to find effective treatments while providing resources and a strong community for families affected by NM. We are proud to be at the forefront of driving Nemaline Myopathy research breakthroughs forward through collaborations with research teams across the globe.
Donate to AFBS: Your monetary gift will support critical research and provide vital resources for NM families.
Stay Connected: Sign up for our email list to receive the latest updates from AFBS and learn more about NM research. Are you an individual or a caregiver of an individual affected by NM? Fill out the AFBS Contact Survey to be connected with valuable resources, support, and research opportunities! Visit our “Get Involved” page for even more ways to connect!