Menifee Resident Runs LA Marathon in Memory of His Beloved Grandmother
Runner Honors Grandmother by Competing in 2026 LA Marathon
As the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon approaches this Sunday, Menifee resident Cole Petrikas is running not just for himself but in memory of his beloved grandmother, Lisa. She passed away last spring after battling dementia, a journey that left a profound impact on Petrikas and his family.
Petrikas, 24, reflected on their close bond: “I was her first grandkid, so [we were] best friends from when I was born.” He aims to honor her legacy by raising awareness for dementia through his marathon participation.
The LA Marathon, organized by the McCourt Foundation, allows runners to partner with nonprofits to fund initiatives aimed at combating neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and ALS. “Things that really change somebody’s life in a drastic way,” said Meg Treat from the foundation.
Witnessing his grandmother’s decline was a heartbreaking experience for Petrikas. He shared, “Once she got diagnosed it was really, just really upsetting. It’s just — spend time over there. By the end, she didn’t recognize us half the time. Her type of dementia was not treatable at all.”
In the wake of his grandmother’s death, Petrikas resolved to transform his grief into a positive outlet by training for the marathon. The preparation for the 26.2-mile event has been challenging, described as “exhausting sometimes; a mix of nervous and excited,” he added.
During his training runs around Menifee, he constantly reflects on his motivation. “It’s remembering my grandma,” he stated.
Petrikas has joined forces with the McCourt Foundation to make each mile meaningful, encouraging fellow runners to do the same. He is part of a larger community of over 26,000 participants expected for this year’s marathon, which will showcase some of Los Angeles’ most iconic neighborhoods. Treat noted, “Our course is one of a kind…Starting at Dodger Stadium, heading to Downtown LA, running through Hollywood, Beverly Hills.”
Petrikas is confident that his grandmother would be proud of his pursuit. “She’d be proud,” he said with a smile. He believes she would be impressed that he took on such a challenge, considering their family’s athletic background. “It’s going to be something a little extra special,” he added, as he prepares to honor her memory on race day.
