One hundred and five kilometres. Five cities. One vision. 

Bríd Quinn is a mum of two daughters who live with Fragile X Syndrome. She has challenged herself to run five half marathons across five European cities in their honour, and to raise awareness about Fragile X Syndrome. We had the opportunity to chat with Bríd about her incredible journey. 

Hi Bríd, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions today! Let’s get right into it. What got you into running?

I grew up running, it’s always been part of who I am. I ran my first race at the age of six and won, even though it was an under-8s race! My mother was one of the founders of Bilboa AC, our local athletics club in a small rural townland in County Limerick, Ireland. With nine children in the family, running was a way to keep us active and out of trouble. My Uncle Paddy, my mother’s brother, was a hill runner too. We had plenty of hills to train on! Running is in my blood, I guess you could say I was born to run.

How did you come up with the idea to combine your love for running with your vision to spread awareness about Fragile X Syndrome?

Running comes naturally to me, and it has always been my outlet. Parenting is tough, but parenting neurodivergent children in a world that often misunderstands them is even tougher. The world isn’t built for our kids. I often say I wouldn’t change my kids, I’d change the world they live in! Many people are unaware or uneducated about Fragile X Syndrome. During some emotional runs where I found myself overwhelmed, I asked: “what can I do?” And the answer was clear: I can run. That’s where “Running the X for Fragile X” was born.  

From August 2025 to May 2026, I’ll run five half marathons across Europe, forming the shape of an ‘X’ on the map with Maastricht Netherlands , currently our home City, at its heart. It’s a symbolic way to honour my daughters, Alannah and Saorla, and all families living with Fragile X Syndrome. The planned races are:

• August 30, 2025 – Stockholm Half Marathon, Sweden
• October 19, 2025 – Rome Half Marathon, Italy
• March 2026 – Lisbon Half Marathon, Portugal
• April 19, 2026 – Newcastle Half Marathon, UK
• May 18, 2026 – Maastricht Half Marathon, Netherlands

Who or what is your greatest inspiration?

My husband Bernard and our three kids Alannah, Harry, and Saorla are my greatest inspiration. I’m so proud to be Bernard’s wife and mother to our 3 kids. The way they live their lives daily gives me strength, grit, and a desire to do better-not just for them, but for all families living with Fragile X Syndrome.

You have come up with an exciting challenge to run the shape of an X across five cities in Europe! That is so impressive! What motivated you to take on this challenge and is it your biggest one so far?

Yes, without a doubt, this is my biggest challenge to date. I often get messages from people saying I’m an inspiration and asking how I stay motivated. The answer is simple: my kids. I want to raise awareness for Fragile X Syndrome and honour my daughters with something that shows my love, determination, and hope for their future.

If my journey inspires even one other person to take action or feel seen, that’s enough for me.

 

FraXI is proud to be able to support you before, during and after your big event. Who are your supporters behind the scenes?

You can probably guess, my family. They’ve seen me at my best and worst and never waver. I’m so grateful for them.

My Irish family back home is always there to cheer me on. And I’m lucky to have a wonderful circle of friends, both in Ireland and here in the Netherlands, who offer encouragement, wisdom, and support. Sometimes they don’t even realise their words are free therapy!

 Which parts of your run are you most excited for?

Honestly — all of it! At the start, I focus on finding my rhythm (and yes, I’m a little competitive, I like to get ahead so no one cuts me off!). In the middle, I love the energy from the crowd, people clapping, live music, and that shared buzz. And at the end, well, by then everything hurts, but you dig deep. The adrenaline kicks in, and when you cross the finish line and see your family running toward you for a hug, it’s magic!.

If you could share a message with anyone reading this blog and considering taking on a similar challenge, what would it be?

You can do hard things. My motto is: ‘One foot in front of the other.’ You don’t have to have it all figured out, just face what’s in front of you and keep going.

Start small, trust yourself, and keep going. You’re stronger than you think.

Can you tell us a little more about your daughters, Alannah and Saorla? What makes them special?

Alannah is 12 and lives with Fragile X Syndrome. She’s an incredible swimmer, full of determination, and recently earned her swimming diploma. Saorla is 7 and also has a diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome. She’s full of spark and imagination, loves dressing up and storytelling. They both light up the world in their own way.

How are you preparing physically and mentally for “Running the X”?

I run three times a week, intervals, mid-distance, and a long Sunday road/trail run. I strength train, lift kettlebells, do yoga, and cross-train at the gym. I also focus on recovery so I stretch nearly every day and love the sauna. Also chiropractor visits have been a game changer. Mentally, I lean into mindfulness, yoga, and community. Some of the toughest parts of this journey aren’t physical, they’re emotional. So I make space to feel the hard things too. This challenge is about endurance, not just speed.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about Fragile X Syndrome?

That it exists. So few people have heard of it. Yet it’s the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism. Our kids are not broken — the world just isn’t built to support them. I want people to understand that awareness matters, because understanding leads to compassion, better education, and more inclusive spaces. That’s what every child deserves.  And to be seen!  

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.