Jen Kanyugi is running her 20th consecutive Boston Marathon this year. Her journey to get to this point is about this one event, and so much more. In this time, Jen went from not running more than 20 minutes on the treadmill to being a steady presence at this, one of the most recognized and celebrated running events in the world.

In that time she became a mom, three times (she ran two of her Boston Marathons while pregnant). She learned the joy of completing those 26.2 miles, and that it's so special she continues to want to do it, again and again, every year. She's learned the power of support, finding groups to train with and create community with, like Girls on the Run and Black Girls Run.

Jen has also learned the tragedy of trauma, having run Boston 2014, the year of the bombing. And she understands what it means to come back and reclaim spaces that were threatened.

And she's learned the power of giving and volunteering: for years Jen has raised money for charities she is passionate about, and she regularly volunteers for the running groups she is a part of.

Jen Kanyugi shares all of this in this episode of celebration. In honor of her 20th consecutive Boston Marathon and all that she does for the running community, Jen has also been chosen to be a member of Team Bevans. Team Bevans comprises exceptional Black women marathoners running the Boston Marathon. They run in honor of Marilyn Bevans, the first American born Black woman to run the marathon in under 3 hours. This is just one of many accolades Bevans earned as one of the best marathoners of her day. Kanyugi and the other women on the team embody the spirit of Black woman excellence in marathon running sparked by Bevans, and help solidify her incredible legacy.

Keep Up with Jen Kanyugi

Facebook: facebook.com/patandjen

Jen Kanyugi's Camp Shriver donation page

Mentioned in This Episode

Black Unicorn Marathoners: blackunicornmarathoners.org

Team Bevans: facebook.com/blackunicornmarathoners

Black Girls Run: blackgirlsrun.com

Girls on the Run: girlsontherun.org

Roads to Boston series: womensrunningstories.com/home-2/roads-to-boston-9-runners-1-finish-line

Boston Marathon Expo Live Stage event, Sun., April 14, 2pm: "Making a Statement: Breaking Barriers in Women's Running" featuring Briana Boehmer, Kelly Bruno, Alisa Harvey; moderated by Cherie Turner, Julie Sapper, Lisa Levin; presentation of Team Bevans takes place immediately following this conversation

Oiselle, the apparel brand rooted in running; made by women, for women: oiselle.com

Music Credits

Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh

SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay

artmucis.janevo, via Pixabay

Coma-Media, via Pixabay

Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories

Instagram: @womensrunningstories

Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories

Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627

Website: womensrunningstories.com

Email host Cherie: [email protected]

Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

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