Running on Love: Nia and Steven Cannady’s NYC Marathon Journey With Type 1 Diabetes

When Nia Cannady stood on the sidelines of the New York City Marathon last year, she never imagined she’d be running it herself the following fall. 

She was there to cheer on her husband, Steven Cannady, who lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and was competing in his first marathon. 

But something shifted.

“I saw so many different types of people running,” Nia said. “That was so inspiring and I thought, ‘If they can do it, then I have no excuse not to do it.’”

From caregiver to co-runner

In November, Nia didn’t just cheer on New York City Marathon runners—she ran beside Steven, step for step, in one of the world’s most iconic races.

As teammates on Beyond Type 1’s Beyond Type Run team, they turned every mile into a shared triumph.

Their story was more than a training log—it was a testament to love, resilience, and the power of showing up for someone you care about.

Finding clarity, control and solace on the move

Steven Cannady describes running as “therapy.”

It’s how he processes stress, helps manage his diabetes and finds clarity.

“Even when I don’t feel like it, every time I finish I’m like, ‘Oh, that was a good run. I needed that,’” he said. “It helps me refocus and recenter.”

Whether he’s listening to gospel, jazz or Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album, running gives Steven space to reset. 

“It’s always like a me versus me type of thing,” he said. “I can just be in my own world for however long or however many miles.”

Training apart, supporting together

Steven and Nia rarely run side by side. Their schedules don’t always align. 

Steven’s an early riser and Nia travels a lot for work. But they support each other in every way.

“I think we ran our first run together back in May or April,” Steven said. “But most times we’re on different schedules.”

Steven’s week includes gym days, tempo runs and long runs on Saturdays. 

Nia lifts five days a week, runs in the evenings and added Pilates for balance and recovery.

“Long runs feel like work,” she said. “So I purposely put them in the work week.”

The finish line and beyond

Steven’s favorite part of the New York City Marathon course is the five bridges that all runners cross.

“It goes from crowd noise to silence,” he said. “It’s just runners.”

Last year, he cramped around mile 19 and had to walk-run the final stretch. A teammate encouraged him to push through. 

“She said, ‘Just give it all you got,’ and I zoomed up again,” he said. “Crossing that line was surreal.”

Running on love

For Nia, this marathon was more than a race. It’s a reflection of the life she and Steven have built together.

“I was so used to checking his sugar and being there for those lows,” she said. “Now I was right there with him.”

Their journey was a reminder that love isn’t just emotional—it’s logistical, physical and deeply personal.

It meant waking up early, packing emergency gels and running 26.2 miles beside someone you believe in.

And when they crossed the finish line together, it wasn’t just a victory for them—it was a message to the world: with love, support and preparation, nothing is out of reach.

Help the Beyond Type Run team cross the finish line

Nia and Steven already crushed the marathon, but the Beyond Type Run squad is still making strides and showing T1D never sets the pace. Ready to support their push through the end of the year? Please donate if you can—all donations go directly to our mission to change what it means to live with diabetes.