Doing the Right Thing: Paige Stopperich prepares to run in the 2026 Boston Marathon to honor her aunt, Shannon Cairone
You likely know the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” We regularly see shining examples living this motto in our lives, and today, we’re adding a family name you’re familiar with to the list.
The Stopperich family, including Lauren Stopperich, her daughters Paige and Jillian, as well as Shannon Cairone, Lauren’s sister and aunt to both girls, are all pillars of the horse show industry.
However, over the past few years, explains Paige, due to severe and unexplained health complications, her aunt, Shannon Cairone, has lost all her vision. “As you can imagine, this has been an extraordinary adjustment for her and our family. One of the most difficult changes has been accepting that she can no longer compete or be present at as many competitions,” Paige reveals.
Image credit: Shane Rux Photography, courtesy of AQHA.
So Paige made a decision. Even though she’s admittedly not much of a runner, much less one who has competed in a marathon, she found herself inspired by Shannon’s remarkable strength and perseverance.
She’s now preparing to run the 2026 Boston Marathon in Shannon’s honor, raising money for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), an organization dedicated to supporting individuals living with vision loss.
Read on for our Q&A with Paige, which addresses how being a rider has benefited her in this process! Scroll to the bottom for the link to Run for Vision:
Q. You mentioned you wanted to raise awareness about MABVI – how has the organization helped your aunt and your family during this time?
A. I will be running the 2026 Boston Marathon with Team With A Vision to help raise both awareness and vital funds for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) in honor of my aunt, Shannon Cairone. Although MABVI hasn’t assisted my aunt directly — simply because she lives outside Massachusetts — I’ve learned how essential this organization is for people who can access its services. MABVI is one of the nation’s oldest organizations dedicated to supporting individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and its work truly changes lives.
Every year, MABVI provides low-vision rehabilitation, in-home training, assistive technology support, mobility training, and peer groups that help people stay independent and connected. For many individuals’ facing vision loss, these services are not just helpful — they’re life-stabilizing.
What makes MABVI stand out is its commitment not only to direct support, but also to advancing research and exploring new ways to improve daily life for people with vision loss. Even though my aunt wasn’t eligible for their services, I’ve seen how vital MABVI’s mission is for so many others. Raising awareness and funding ensures more people can navigate vision loss with dignity, confidence, and independence.
Q. How has Shannon demonstrated courage throughout this unexpected turn of events?
A. My Aunt Shannon has demonstrated more courage than words can describe. For over 25 years, she has fought relentless health issues, spending countless hours in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and undergoing treatments. Now, she travels regularly between Pittsburgh and Bethesda to the National Institutes of Health to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. While the transplant could address her hematologic and immune system problems, unfortunately, it won’t restore her vision.
Through everything, she refuses to give up. Her resilience motivates me daily, and that’s why I’m running this marathon. If she can handle the marathon of the past 25+ years, facing health challenges every step of the way with immense bravery, then the least I can do is take on the marathon with the water stations.
Q. Have you competed in marathons before? How are you preparing?
A. I have never run a marathon before! To be honest, I’ve never been much of a runner—and my former teammates on South Carolina’s equestrian team can attest to that! With that, both my father-in-law and sister-in-law have run a few marathons, including Boston, so they’ve been great resources for advice!
To prepare, I have been following a 6-month long training block. Each week consists of 2-3 “easy” runs and then one long run on the weekend. The long run is when I focus consistently on building up my milage. By Christmas, my long runs will be up to 13 miles! I also try and squeeze in a Pilates or Barre class every now and then, along with lots of stretching. The newest thing for me has been learning how to properly fuel myself during long runs with energy gels and chews. They don’t taste great, so it involves a lot of trial and error to find ones that don’t upset your stomach.
I also feel the foundation I’ve built through riding has prepared me to push myself in marathon training. All the trainers I’ve worked with over the years have given me the tools, confidence, and discipline to push myself in ways I never thought possible. They taught me how to work toward goals that once felt out of reach.
Q. What would you like to share about: The horse industry and its importance in your lives, and any important accomplishments or highlights we should include for your family.
A. The American Quarter Horse Association has been part of my families lives for decades. Over the years, we’ve created countless memories, but even more meaningful are the relationships and friendships that have grown from being part of this community. There is something truly unique and special about the AQHA world — it’s more than an industry; it feels like a family.
When she can, my aunt loves visiting our trainer, Chad Evans, and our horses out in Colorado. All our family’s horses are at Chad’s and she loves spending time with her barn friends and her all-time favorite horse, Wiz (On My Level). Wiz is such a kind horse, and everyone trusts him implicitly to take care of her when she rides at the barn. Chad’s help and guidance always keeps it light and fun. My aunt counts on Alyssa to keep Wiz spoiled with lots of love and treats.
This shared love of horses is what connects us, and it has remained a constant source of joy and light in our family, even through life’s challenges.
When it comes to family highlights, while my younger sister, Jillian, and I have together won multiple World and Congress Championships, I think we both can agree that our favorite wins have come from watching our mom and aunt each win the Select World Show. My mom won the Level 3 Select Trail in 2024 and my aunt won the Level 3 Select Horsemanship in 2022. During our youth years, my mom and aunt gave up so much for us—always driving us shows and practice, staying up late, and consistently setting aside their own goals so we could pursue ours.
A request from Paige:
With deep gratitude for all AQHA has already brought into my family’s life, I am humbly asking—if you are able—to support my aunt and the incredible work of MABVI as I run the 2026 Boston Marathon in her honor and in honor of everyone living with vision loss.
Run for Vision: Support the Visually Impaired!
