NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon 2026

Hi everyone! My name is Gabby Zeppieri and I am the president of Gabby's Wonderful World. Gabby's Wonderful World is a nonprofit foundation committed to championing all individuals and families affected by Neutral Lipid Storage Disease with Myopathy (NLSD-M), an ultra- rare genetic condition. NLSD-M is a progressive disease that causes harmful lipid buildup in the skeletal muscles, leading to significant physical challenges. 

I’m doing the NYC Brooklyn Half Marathon for myself—because being diagnosed with NLSD-M changed my life, but it didn’t get to define it.

When you hear a diagnosis like that, your world narrows for a moment. You think about limits, about everything that might become harder, slower, uncertain. But then you get to make a choice. And I chose to move forward. I chose strength. I chose purpose.

A very special friend came to me and said we would be crossing the finish line together. I physically cannot walk/run the marathon. She will be pushing me the whole way! Every mile I cross is a reminder that my diagnosis is part of my story, not the end of it. It’s a reminder that I can show up for myself, even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days.

This race is my declaration:
I am still here. I am still strong. And I’m not done yet.