RUNNING FOR LIFE...

I came to a realization some years ago that the extra 30 pounds I had accumulated weren't doing me any good. My doctor agreed. We both knew it was time to do something about it.

My pick for the remedy: running.

I'd run a little back in my younger days, but never anything formal or planned. My oldest brother and his daughter were into it, posting things on Facebook. I decided I could do that, too.

And so, it began.

I set a goal: run a 5K. I got an app, one of the many "couch to 5K" options out there and started. It wasn't easy at first, but before long, I was feeling the effects. Slowly but surely, the weight began to drop and the stamina and positive vibes began to rise.

In October of 2013 I ran my first formal event, a local 5K. As I crossed the finish line, I knew I was hooked. After a few more 5Ks, I signed up for the inaugural Philly 10K. And then my mom got sick...


RUNNING FOR A CAUSE...DNation

It all may have started for me, but now it was for so much more. I got involved with DetermiNation Philadelphia in hopes that my running could somehow help.

Cancer sucks. I lost my mom to it. So many others have lost loved ones to it as well. I signed up for the Philadelphia Half-marathon to honor her and finishing that first half-marathon was an emotional moment.

Every race since then is always with her in my heart. All of my miles are now dedicated to those who can no longer run. As a proud member of DNation, we work to raise money to fight the monster.


SCC

13.1 ALL 7...

On January 29, 2023, I became a member of the Seven Continents Club, as one of less than 1500 people who have ever completed a Half-Marathon on all 7 of the world's continents!

It has been one of the most exciting and rewarding things of my life.

NORTH AMERICA

  • Philadelphia Half (2014-19, 2021)
  • LOVE Run (2015-19, 2024)
  • ODDyssey Half (2016-17)
  • RunFest Philly (2018-19)
  • NYC Half (2017)
  • RockNRoll Philly (2017)
  • OCEANIA

  • Australian Outback (2017)
  • EUROPE

  • London Royal Parks (2017)
  • SOUTH AMERICA

  • Patagonia International (2018)
  • ASIA

  • Great Wall Half (2019)
  • ANTARCTICA

  • Antarctica Half (2022)
  • AFRICA

  • Marrakesh Half (2023)

  • PERSONAL BESTS...

    It's never been about the speed, but here are my PRs:

  • 5K: 24:47 -- 4/22/17 -- Haverford Twilight Run
  • 10K: 53:36 -- 4/8/17 -- Cherry Blossom, Philadelphia
  • 15K: 1:23:44 -- 4/7/18 -- Hot Chocolate Run, Philadelphia
  • 10Miler: 1:25:25 -- 5/7/17 -- Broad Street Run, Philadelphia
  • Half: 1:59:03 -- 6/3/18 -- Run Fest, Philadelphia

  • Buy The Marshall Connors Series