At Mizuno, we are Motivated by More. And few stories capture that belief better than the journey of Ryan Fowler – Mizuno ambassador, advocate, and most importantly, Rio’s dad.

A Father's Legacy

In late 2017, Ryan and his wife were confronted with every parent’s worst nightmare: their son, Rio, was diagnosed with an incredibly rare, life-limiting condition, arterial vasculopathy disease. Just a few short months later, in January 2018, they tragically lost their bright, cheeky little boy. Rio was brave and resilient, always with a train in hand and a mischievous smile that lit up every room.

In the quiet that followed, amid grief and heartbreak, Ryan and his wife found strength in a place called Bear Cottage, one of only three paediatric palliative care hospices in all of Australia. It was there that they realised just how critical support like this is for families navigating the unimaginable.

The Birth of Rio’s Legacy

Out of that pain came purpose. Ryan and his wife created Rio’s Legacy, a charity dedicated to advocating for and supporting families caring for children with life-limiting conditions. At the heart of their mission was one goal: to ensure no family ever feels alone in their darkest hour.

And so, Ryan began to run.

With no running background, living with type 1 diabetes, and carrying the weight of grief, Ryan laced up his shoes and took the first steps of what would become a monumental journey – both physically and emotionally. He ran not for personal glory, but for the kids who couldn’t. For families like his own. For Rio.

Mizuno’s Role in the Journey

When Ryan first shared his plan to run from Melbourne to Sydney, Mizuno was one of the first to answer the call. He wasn’t a professional athlete. He wasn’t an experienced runner. But what he had was heart and an unshakable will to make a difference.

Since 2018, Mizuno has proudly supported Ryan as a brand ambassador, but more than that, as a partner in his mission. From that first journey to today, we’ve stood beside him as he’s covered more than 26,000 kilometres across Australia, raising awareness and funds for paediatric palliative care.

We didn’t just provide the gear. We became the vessel for Ryan’s purpose – helping him break boundaries, push through pain, and keep going when every part of him wanted to stop. Because his mission is our mission too: Motivated By More.

Building More Than a Hospice – Building Hope

Today, thanks to Rio’s Legacy and the growing community that supports it, the fourth paediatric palliative care hospice in Australia is being established in Western Sydney. A place where children and families can find comfort, support, and dignity. A place where kids come to live – not just to die.

This milestone is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a symbol of love, of resilience, and of unwavering hope.

We Run With You, Ryan

Ryan’s story is one of heartbreak, yes – but also of strength, compassion, and determination. It’s a reminder that every child matters and that through movement, we can build legacies.

At Mizuno, we are honoured to run beside Ryan and support the incredible work of Rio’s Legacy. We are proud to be part of a journey that’s changing the landscape of paediatric palliative care in Australia.

Because this isn’t just about running.
It’s about remembering.
It’s about rebuilding.
It’s about hope.

And as Ryan often says, this is more than a journey. This is a promise.

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