This year, we’ve seen through the eyes of runners in a lot of fun ways. With the help of Puma Running, aSweatLife’s running partner, we ran together as a community during our Goal For It: Running program in the spring.

And as we watched the runners in the community spend their summers training for longer distances, we felt proud to know the people putting in the miles, reaching for big goals, and cheering on other runners doing the same.

We ask the aSweatLife Ambassadors a lot of questions, but reading through the responses to the one particular question hit me like a tidal wave of emotions: Why did you run a marathon?

These answers deserve a permanent place in history, so we’re inviting you to celebrate them with us. 

Elsa Geraci ran her first marathon, The Hartford Marathon in Connecticut to celebrate and honor the life of her best friend who passed away 10 years ago. 

“Her diagnosis/passing provided such a monumental perspective. It changed the entire trajectory of my life leading me to pursue and earn my health coaching, personal training, and Precision nutrition certifications,” She said. “Being proactive and prioritizing my physical, mental, and emotional well-being is how I express gratitude for my good health while encouraging others to do the same.”

Lexi Florian used this year’s Chicago Marathon to process her grief after deferring her 2022 marathon entry.

“I was signed up to run the marathon in 2022 but unfortunately spent that day instead in the ICU beside my father as he struggled through a short and painful battle with pancreatic cancer. He died shortly after, and as a way to work through my grief, I signed up for the 2023 Chicago marathon for the charity Project Purple – which is for pancreatic cancer patients and their families,” she said.

Alexa Calingo trained for the Chicago Marathon to remember and honor her Dad. 

“No matter when/where I run, I keep my Dad in mind, as he was a distance runner long ago. I find it special and quite fitting since the 13.1 is around his birthday in June, and the Marathon is around his death anniversary (he passed October 1st). Running used to be a sole way for me to have some free fitness, now it’s a way for me to learn and engage with friends but also honor my Dad.”

Kristin Gonzales runs with (and helps to organize) Tortugas Run Club.

She runs because she lives for this. “I just love Chicago Marathon weekend in Chicago (it’s my Christmas),” but she’s also there to help others cross the finish line with her. “I’ll catch miles with them during training, help give advice or inspire a newbie to get started on their own journey.”

Anchisa Pipatpinyopong started her own run club with friends to train alongside her, the Gold Coast Run Club. 

“I got into the 2022 Chicago Marathon and loved my experience, so I decided to sign up again,” she said. “I love summer training with wonderful groups of people who share similar or different running goals. The running community in Chicago is truly amazing and the Chicago Marathon is a great way to celebrate our hard work. I will continue to do Chicago as long as I am able.”