Tenacity in Motion:
When Sarah laced up her running shoes for the first time back in 2004, she never imagined where that single mile would take her. What started as a casual “let’s get in shape” challenge with a friend turned into a marathon commitment, and ultimately, a lifelong love affair with running.
From running in over 25 states to overcoming brain surgery, heart surgery, and most recently disc surgery, Sarah has proven she’s as resilient as they come. She jokes that she’s “part raccoon” because she can’t resist collecting shiny race medals – and she’s not slowing down anytime soon. This year, she’s back for her 12th Long Beach Half (her favorite race weekend), adding Malibu for the very first time, and already plotting her comeback to full marathons.
Sarah’s Story: From One Mile to the Golden State Challenge
Sarah never thought of herself as a runner, at least not until the end of 2004. She was a student at Pasadena City College when a friend suggested they try running a mile together to get in shape. Sarah laced up, gave it a go, and for the first time in her life ran a full mile without walking.
Exhilarated and exhausted, she looked at her friend and, in classic Sarah fashion, declared: “I’m going to run a marathon.”
She laughs now about how little she knew. “I had no idea it was 26.2 miles. In my head I was probably picturing a 5K. But that’s how I am: no shallow end, just jump all the way in.”
When a flyer for Team in Training landed in her hands, she signed up, recruited a couple of friends to do it with her, and told just about everyone she knew. By the time she realized what 26.2 miles really meant, it was too late to back out. What once sounded impossible slowly became reality and somewhere along the way, she discovered that she actually liked running.
A Journey Fueled by Resilience
From that first marathon to Honolulu, and eventually chasing her “50 states” goal, Sarah built a life around running. But her story hasn’t been a straight line.
In 2012, she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm and was later diagnosed with a heart defect requiring a stent. Many people would have hung up their shoes for good. Not Sarah. She remembers waking up from surgery and asking her cardiac surgeon how soon she could run a half marathon again. His answer: “As soon as your leg wound heals, I trust your judgment.”
Just months later, she was on the start line of the Pasadena Rock ’n’ Roll Half. “It was slow, but I did it,” she says. And from there, she was off to the races, literally.
“If it were up to me and I was allowed, I’d run a race every weekend,” she admits. “I’m kind of like a raccoon. I like to collect shiny objects. Medals, feathers I find along the course, you name it. It all ends up in my ponytail or on my medal rack.”
Bouncing Back After Disc Surgery
Her most recent setback came in the form of a herniated disc in her neck, plus two bulging discs and stenosis that left her with partial loss of feeling in her hand. The only fix: surgery.
“I had no choice, but honestly, I just wanted my hand back,” Sarah explains. The good news? Her surgeon cleared her to run again though not long distances right away, but shorter races and half marathons. Cycling, another love of hers, will have to wait until she regains more range of motion in her neck (“kind of important if you need to check for cars,” she jokes).
Still, Sarah sees it as just another bend in the road. “A half is still tough, it’s a real workout. But it doesn’t take as much recovery, and it keeps me strong. And I will get back to marathons. 2026 is the year I’m planning on picking up where I left off.”
Long Beach, Santa Barbara, and Now Malibu
Of all the races on the Golden State Challenge calendar, the Long Beach Half Marathon owns Sarah’s heart. She’s been part of it for over a decade, first as a mentor with Team in Training, then as a competitor. 2025 will mark her 12th Long Beach Half, and she says it’s her can’t-miss race.
She’s also fallen in love with Santa Barbara and Napa to Sonoma. “Honestly, the GSC is the reason I ever signed up for them. I probably wouldn’t have gone out of my way otherwise. And now? I wouldn’t miss them.”
This year, she’s adding Run Malibu to her journey for the first time. “I can’t wait. Every race in the Challenge has its own personality. Malibu feels like the perfect new adventure.”
The Spirit of the Golden State Challenge
What Sarah loves most about the Golden State Challenge isn’t just the races—it’s the community, the creative medals, the unique prizes, and the way the series encourages her to keep pushing. “I love seeing the GSC booth at every event. I look forward to it—whether it’s a belt, a water bottle, or just chatting with the team. And don’t even get me started on this year’s medal. Absolute knockout!”
For Sarah, racing is about more than just miles. It’s about joy, resilience, and embracing the journey. And while she has plenty of half marathons ahead in the near future, her eyes are firmly on the bigger goal.
“Something drastic would have to happen for me to give up Long Beach. As long as my body lets me, I’ll keep showing up. And when I’m back to full marathons—watch out, because I’ve got 50 states to finish.”
👉 Ready to join Sarah and thousands of runners across California? Register for the Golden State Challenge today.
