BOSTON — Physician-scientist Dr. Qian Yuan is attempting to complete all seven World Marathon Majors in a single year, using the challenge to raise awareness about food allergies and support research efforts aimed at improving treatment and prevention.
Coming off a personal best time of 4:49:16 at the Tokyo Marathon, Dr. Yuan has begun a demanding global schedule that includes races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City throughout 2026.
Dr. Yuan, a clinician and researcher specializing in food allergies, said the effort is intended to highlight the urgent need for scientific progress in a field affecting millions.
“Running a marathon has been a life-changing and transformative experience for me,” said Dr. Yuan. “It challenges me to be both physically and mentally strong, and it also provides an opportunity to raise awareness and support causes related to children’s health and well-being.”
Food allergies impact an estimated 32 million Americans, including many children, and can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening reactions. Despite the growing prevalence, treatment options remain limited.
“Food allergies are both my clinical and research focus,” Dr. Yuan said. “It affects millions of people, including children and adults. By better understanding the underlying mechanisms of food allergy, we can develop improved prevention strategies and treatments.”
Dr. Yuan is running in support of the Food Allergy Science Initiative, a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating research that leads to clinical advances for patients.
“Dr. Yuan reflects the best of what we hope to see in this field — a clinician and scientist deeply committed to improving the lives of patients with food allergies,” said Carlos Bosques, CEO of the organization. “His decision to take on this global marathon challenge to raise awareness and support for research is inspiring and speaks to the urgency of the work ahead.”
“Dr. Yuan brings extraordinary dedication to both patient care and scientific discovery,” said Christine Olsen, M.D., co-founder of the organization. “Seeing him take on this challenge to raise awareness and support for food allergy research reflects his deep commitment to advancing the field and bringing hope to families who need it most.”
Dr. Yuan said he also hopes the effort will improve public understanding of food allergies and the science behind them.
“It is important that people better understand why and how food allergies occur,” he said. “There is exciting and cutting-edge research underway, including work supported by FASI, that gives real hope for better prevention and treatment in the future.”
