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Jessica Drakul is a 45-year old adult-onset runner who ran the 2024 Boston Marathon, set a personal best time of 3:40:11, AND re-qualified for next year’s race. Despite it being a warm day that proved challenging for many runners, Jessica maintains that it was only the second hardest thing she’s ever done. The hardest thing? Getting sober 18 years ago. 

After a 7-year struggle with alcohol addiction from the ages of 19-26, Jessica had her first day of sobriety on January 11th, 2006 – about 5 weeks before her 27th birthday. In this episode she recounts the ways in which alcohol impacted her health and relationships, and brought her face-to-face with her own mortality. 

Running didn’t seriously enter the picture for Jessica until the pandemic when she found herself with more time to get fit. Since then she has run dozens of races including the 2023 Manitoba Marathon, which she completed in 3:41:49 … close to one hour faster than her first one in 2021! This qualified her for the 2024 Boston Marathon and we think it’s safe to say that nobody had a more complete Boston experience than Jessica did! She toured the city, met the influencers & Olympians, bought the merch, did the shakeout runs, watched the Red Sox in Fenway Park, ate the carbs, and even brushed up on her CPR! 

Jessica gives back to the Winnipeg running community in numerous ways. She serves on the board of the Manitoba Runners’ Association, is an ambassador for WFPS Run, and participates in many local run clubs.

Connect with Jessica:

• Instagram: @drakul_runnings 
• Email: [email protected]

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