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