Last year, FraXI was lucky enough to cross paths with Bríd Quinn (being lucky to cross paths is an understatement- she is quite speedy!). Bríd is the proud mum of Alannah and Saorla, who live with Fragile X Syndrome. We covered her story here. We strongly encourage you to read it, but if you want the simpler, shorter version, we’ve got you covered! Bríd signed herself up for 5 half marathons in 5 different locations across Europe in the shape of an X. Why is she doing this? To raise awareness about Fragile X Syndrome and to celebrate our community and her girls. She has already completed two out of five races and is currently training to take on the third on Sunday, the 15th of March in Liverpool. 

She sat down with FraXI to give us an update on where she is and how she is feeling at the moment. 

Hi Bríd! It has been a while since we last spoke, and you’ve completed 2/5 races and smashed a personal record for your fastest half marathon time. How are you feeling?

I feel stronger than I ever imagined, not just physically, but emotionally. When I stood on the start line of the Stockholm Half Marathon and then again in the Rome Half Marathon, I wasn’t just running for a time on a clock. I was running with purpose. Every kilometre carries the weight of why I’m doing this!  For my daughters, for families navigating Fragile X, for awareness that leads to understanding.

Smashing a personal record in Rome felt symbolic. It reminded me that when you run with purpose, you dig deeper. You find strength you didn’t know you had.

Two races down. Three to go. And I feel lit from within.

You have raised over €2,500 just by completing two out of five races, and you have raised infinite awareness. What does it feel like to know that you’re making such a big difference in people’s lives when you’re three races away from finishing your challenge?

Honestly, it’s humbling. When I first dreamed up “Running the X,” it was just an idea born from love and maybe a little bit of stubborn Irish determination. I never imagined how many people would lean in.

€2,500 is a number, but behind that number are conversations, shares, questions, families feeling seen. If one parent feels less alone… If one teacher understands Fragile X a little better… If one family finds resources because of the awareness raised…then every early morning, every hill repeat, every sore muscle is worth it.

And knowing we’re only halfway makes it even more powerful. The momentum is building.

Your family was present at your races — what has it been like to have their support throughout?

This is the part that fuels me the most.  Seeing my children during the race and at the finish line is everything. They know why I’m running. They know this is for them and for families like ours.

My daughters have shown me what resilience truly looks like. My son sees strength in action. And my husband has been the steady rock through the logistics, travel, training and the emotional layers of it all.

When they cheer me in, it’s not just “Go Mom!”

It’s “We’re in this together.”

And that changes everything.

You got to meet some amazing families and individuals living with FXS along the way! Tell us how that felt and what it means for your journey.

Meeting other Fragile X families has been the most powerful and emotional part of this journey.

In Stockholm, meeting Linda (Linda Porali from Sweden who is a member of FraXI’s Board of Directors) felt like meeting someone I had known forever. There’s an instant understanding when you connect with another Fragile X parent, no long explanations needed, no layers to peel back. Just recognition. Strength. Solidarity.

Then in Rome, meeting Vanessa and Viviana and their beautiful boys was something I will never forget. Watching our children together, seeing their personalities, their light, it fills you with both fierce protectiveness and immense hope.

The friendships forming through this journey are real. The understanding is deep. The love is huge.Running can feel solitary during training, but at these races it becomes something entirely collective. It reminds me that this challenge isn’t just about running across Europe in an X shape, it’s about stitching families together across borders.

And that connection? That’s the real finish line.

 Let us in on the excitement around Liverpool! How are you gearing up for race number 3?

Ah Liverpool… this one feels special. Race 3 of 5. The halfway turning point.

Training is focused and intentional. I’m balancing long runs with strength work because durability matters now. I’m leaning into the grit, the same grit families living with Fragile X embody daily.

But more than pace goals, I’m thinking about impact.

If families can come out. If children can see someone running for them. If awareness grows louder in another city.

Then Liverpool becomes more than a race, it becomes another step in building something meaningful.

And I’ll stand on that start line for families like my own, with gratitude in every breath.

Grateful for the body that carries me forward.

Grateful for the purpose that strengthens me.

Grateful for the community that reminds us we are never alone.

FraXI is proud to support Bríd in her challenge to run the X for Fragile X. You can follow Bríd’s journey on Instagram and support her cause by donating here.