Boo Run is not just another day for Gray

By Madison Bierl
| 8:00 p.m. October 25, 2025

East County
Neighbors

For 22 years, the Boo Run has been an annual tradition for the Tullio family. Grayson Tullio, a 22-year-old with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, looks forward to what he refers to as "the day of Gray."

"I don't want to be the main center of attention," Grayson Tullio said. "It's not just about me. It's about all those with Duchenne who need a cure to be found."

A portion of the proceeds of the Boo Run will be donated to Another Day for Gray, Big Bill’s Foundation and the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

Monika Oberer first ran in the Boo Run in 2013 when she met Grayson Tullio. She said meeting him helped open her eyes to the reality of life.

Despite his condition, Oberer said Grayson Tullio is a fighter, stubborn, and extremely loving.

Since meeting, Oberer and Tullio have gotten together, usually twice a week, and do activities such as trips to the movies, the mall or Mote Marine. They have participated in the race together for the last nine years.

"She is caring, kind, outgoing, and someone who tells people how it is," Tullio said. "She doesn't sugarcoat things. She helps me be the best person I can be."

"Having this day with Grayson is always great because I see him smile," Oberer said. "I see him happy. His life is so hard and a day like this is cool because he deserves good days. I'm very blessed to be on his side."

This year, the pair dressed as Russell and Carl Fredricksen from the Disney movie "Up."

Jen Tullio, the director of the race and Grayson Tullio's mom, said she is thrilled the event has lasted for 22 years and continues to donate to Grayson's chosen charities.

"Every year there's something more inspirational that comes out of it," Jen Tullio said. "We've had our ups and downs over the years with Grayson's health, so it's nice that he can rally and get himself out here."

This year makes 22 years of the Boo Run, which has been referred to as the "day of Grayson." Grayson Tullio dresses as Russell from the Disney movie "Up" while his great friend Monika Oberer dresses as his Carl Fredricksen.

Bradenton's Inga Shalmiyeva is the first woman to finish the race with a time of 21 minutes and 39 seconds. She is a nurse and health coach for Aspect Wellness in Lakewood Ranch and says its important for her to "walk the talk."

Palmetto's Holly Parton, a Fit2Run ambassador, dresses as a butterfly to represent the beauty of transformation as she wants to continue to grow.

Tommy Mahdi, one of bartenders and an owner at Slim Chickens, expresses his humorous side after completing the Boo Run.

After running in the Boo Run for the first time last year as a caveman, Lakewood Ranch's Mark Steinke returned to do it again in full costume as a witch doctor.

Lakewood Ranch's David Proudfoot won the Boo Run for the fourth year in a row with a time of 16 minutes and 21 seconds.

Sarasota's Krista Dowdell and her daughter Desirae Dowdell, 11, decide to represent Florida by adding alligator inflatables to their cowgirls costumes.

Avery Meier, Lauren Becky, Paige Zolecki, Emma Tullio (twin of Grayson Tullio) and Dylan Werle dress as Smurfs for the 22nd Annual Boo Run in Lakewood Ranch.

On the morning of Oct. 25, 318 runners participated in the 5k Boo Run to benefit Another Day for Gray and Big Bill's Foundation.

Sarasota's Maelynn Holbrook, 5, ran in the kids run, which was her first run ever. She is inspired by her mom Nicole Holbrook who ran the 5k.

Sarasota's Charlie LeClere, Cora LeClere and their dad Cory LeClere prepare to run the 5k race. Charlie got third place in the male 0-12 age range category and Cora did the same in the female category.

Lakewood Ranch's Lorraine Williams and Joan Novak dress up at Tic Tacs after seeing the idea online. They have been involved in the run since the beginning and have been friends with the Tullio family for years.

Brother and sister duo Declan Bates, 13 and Libby Bates, 10, normally run in the race, but they decided to volunteer this year by passing out medals instead.

Each runner received a race shirt and a glow in the dark Boo Run medal at the 22nd Annual Boo Run.

Sarasota's Jack Gruters is the first child to finish the 5k with a time of 20 minutes and 50 seconds.

Ruby, a 5-year-old redbone coone hound, is a rescue from the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch and is dressed as a bat. She did the race with her human, Lakewood Ranch's Rebekah Boudrie, who dressed as Batgirl.

Lakewood Ranch's McKenna Mize, 2, excitedly watches as her dad Gregg Mize comes into view and crosses the finish line.

Bradenton's Isabelle Robinson wears matching Wonder Woman costumes wih her dog Gracie, a 4-year-old golden retriever. "Gracie’s even cuter than me!" she says.

Lakewood Ranch's Mark Steinke ran in full costume, but the costume does not include shoes. He says he runs barefoot on the regular and doing so is more energizing than it is with them.

Bradenton's John Donovan, who places third in the male 70+ age category, poses with Jen Tullio, the race director and mother of Grayson Tullio.

The Cyman family decided to do the run for some good family fun and exercise. The family includes 7-year-old Chloe, 10-year-old Levi, 2-year-old Bode, Julie and Derek Cyman.

Ellenton's Michael Gies, 76, places first in the male 70+ age range category. "Iron Mike they call me," he says.

Palmetto's Marion Buckley, Sarasota's Alicia Richardson and Palmetto's
Sharla Sims prepare for the race.Richardson has been a special needs teacher for 20 years and says its empowering seeing so many come together for such a great cause. — Palmetto's Marion Buckley, Sarasota's Alicia Richardson and Palmetto's Sharla Sims prepare for the race.Richardson has been a special needs teacher for 20 years and says its empowering seeing so many come together for such a great cause.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.