26.2 Step Mini Marathon26.2 Step Mini Marathon returns September 20 to celebrate a decade of hope, education & life-saving conversations
Ten years. Thousands of steps. Countless lives changed.
For immediate release
OMAHA, NE — Ten years ago, one woman decided that if sharing her story could help even one person avoid the same journey, it would be worth it. What started as a deeply personal mission has grown into a community movement.
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, hundreds of survivors, previvors, families, physicians, researchers and supporters will gather at Cancer Survivor Park for the 10th Annual 26.2 Step Mini Marathon, a milestone celebration honoring the lives touched over the past decade and inspiring more conversations about hereditary cancer for years to come.
The event was founded by Denise Ibsen Cole, whose own experience with hereditary cancer revealed how many families don’t realize that cancer risk can be inherited. Rather than let that experience define her, she turned it into a mission: educate others, encourage genetic testing when appropriate, and build a community where no one has to face hereditary cancer alone.
Every September, people arrive carrying different stories. Some are celebrating survivorship. Others are remembering loved ones. Some have recently learned they carry a hereditary mutation and are looking for answers. Many simply come to support someone they love.
By the end of the morning, they’re no longer strangers. They’re part of a community.
“The conversations that happen here matter. If one person leaves knowing they should ask about their family history, schedule genetic counseling, or encourage a loved one to get screened, we’ve made a difference. That’s why we keep doing this.” — Denise Ibsen Cole, Founder
The symbolic 26.2-step walk is a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t always start with giant leaps. Sometimes it starts with one conversation, one question, one family sharing their story.
Over the past decade, the event has become far more than a fundraiser or an annual gathering. It has become a place where people find understanding, hope, encouragement and the confidence to advocate for themselves and the people they love.
This year’s anniversary event will bring together hereditary cancer experts, healthcare providers, survivors, advocates and community organizations committed to education and prevention. Attendees will hear personal stories, discover resources and celebrate ten years of progress in hereditary cancer awareness.
Whether someone has walked every year since the beginning or is attending for the first time, organizers invite the community to be part of this milestone celebration. Because every story shared has the power to change another.
Event information
- Event
- 10th Annual 26.2 Step Mini Marathon
- Date
- Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Time
- 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Location
- Cancer Survivor Park, 1111 S 105th St, Omaha, NE 68124
- Registration
- Register free at 262minimarathon.com
- Fee
- FREE
Additional event information and registration are available at 262minimarathon.com. Browse photos from previous Mini Marathons.
About the 26.2 Step Mini Marathon
The 26.2 Step Mini Marathon is an annual community event dedicated to raising awareness of hereditary cancer through education, advocacy and connection. Founded by Denise Ibsen Cole, the event brings together survivors, previvors, families, healthcare professionals and community partners to encourage life-saving conversations about hereditary cancer risk, family history and genetic testing. Now in its tenth year, the event continues to empower individuals with knowledge while fostering a supportive community built on hope and action.
Media contact
Denise Ibsen Cole, Founder, 26.2 Step Mini Marathon
Email contact@262minimarathon.com for interviews, high-resolution logos, or founder availability.