The 2025 LA Marathon marks the eighth for LAFD Captain I Greg Balandran. “I run every year for a charity that’s close to home for me…” says Greg. “But this year, the opportunity for me to be able to run and fundraise has been magnified by the devastating wildfires we experienced at the start of 2025.”
With every step Greg takes during this year’s LA marathon, he will be raising money for the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighters Fund (WODFF). Shortly after the LA fires erupted, the LA firefighter charity mobilized to provide long-term support for the more than two dozen LAFD firefighters — and their families — who lost homes or were displaced by the Palisades and Eaton Canyon fires.
Featured story about Greg published in 2024:
Running is vital to Greg Balandran — vital to his health, his emotional well-being and those he loves.
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund is among them. As of 2024, the 20-year Los Angeles City Fire Department firefighter has participated in seven LA Marathons to raise money for our firefighter charity. This year, he collected $2,400 through an affiliated GoFundMe page.
“I had the opportunity to run the marathon — my first one — through the Relief,” he says.
“It’s for our own people. It’s a no-brainer. The run is as much for me as it is for them. It’s not only physically, but mentally challenging. It’s a good feeling to cross the finish line of a marathon.”
Dedicated Daily: Running the LA Marathon and more
Balandran has morphed into his department’s run and Firefighter’s Fund ambassador. His goal is twofold: to encourage folks to donate to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund and to run.
“I’ve had some success. The guys know that I’d like them to take 15 minutes of their day to get a run in just for them,” he says. “It’s that consistency. It’s on my schedule every single day.”
And he’s not exaggerating. He has run daily for a little more than two years.
“It took a while to finally get going,” he says. “Now it’s part of my day. I run every single day no matter what. Whether it’s early mornings or late nights, I just get a run in.”
His family is supportive of his athletic pursuits. They help him maintain that accountability. In return, they learn the importance of running and staying active.
“They’ll check to see if I ran for the day,” says Balandran, 50. “They know that if we are going somewhere or are gone for the day, that I’m going to get a run in before we leave. I’ve had the opportunity to run on vacations.
“I take a separate bag of running gear, whether we’re in Hawaii or Big Bear. Wherever we are, I’m going to run. I map out a course and go for it. It’s another way to explore what other cities have to offer.”
He’s checked Las Vegas off his list of events in which to participate. He’s hoping to compete in San Diego and Honolulu.
Los Angeles is just as inspiring on many levels, he says.
“You see so many different things,” he says. “Random people are out on the course supporting all the runners. It’s amazing. It’s one of the best things. People have funny signs as you’re coming by. All of those things make me come back for more. My goal is to hit 10 LA Marathons, see where I’m at and go from there.”
A sense of accomplishment
Balandran is proud of what he’s done for our L.A. firefighter charity. In seven years, he’s raised about $12,000.
“I’ve increased the donations every year,” he says. “The first year, it was $1,000. This past year was the largest amount that I’ve raised. I’m mostly supported by my own people. “
To encourage donations, he alerts his co-workers through notes on whiteboards with the GoFundMe link and a QR code. Balandran says he’s been successful.
Ultimately, he wants to assemble a team to really raise awareness of our Firefighter’s Fund at the LA Marathon and beyond.
“A lot of people donated, and I’ve received a ton of encouragement,” he recalled. “This is meaningful to me. It’s my opportunity to donate more than the $60 a year I donate through my paycheck. It’s another opportunity to help our fellow members out. I can go out and run, get some enjoyment out of it, and raise some money for a good cause. Everybody wins.”
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski