Man pushes cousin 42km in Melbourne Marathon, carries him over line
Toby Holt was diagnosed with juvenile Huntington's disease at 16 years old. The disease is taking away his ability to walk and talk but thanks to a push from his cousin, he has just completed a marathon.
In the 2026 Melbourne Marathon, runner Nick Morrison completed the 42.2 kilometers while pushing his 21-year-old cousin, Toby Holt, alongside him. Toby Holt was diagnosed with juvenile Huntington's disease (JHD) four years ago, a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disorder with no cure. The disease affects his speech and movement, causing him to use a wheelchair.
Toby's mother, Louise Holt, expressed her pride in her son's love for his cousin and his acceptance of his diagnosis. Following Toby's diagnosis, his family and community have been organizing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for him, including a trip to the United States, New Zealand, and skydiving. Nick Morrison decided to take Toby out of his wheelchair just before the finish line, carrying him over the line together.
The couple raised over $4,000 for Huntington's Australia, the peak national body providing support and services for people living with the disease and their families.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
