Club Founder & Marketing Director
(RRCA Certified Coach)

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? "I'm really driven by the chance to support women in our community. Physical exercise has made a huge difference in my life, and building a safe space for women through Sunrise Runners is what keeps me motivated. This club has grown into a welcoming space where women can feel strong and motivated. This community not only focuses on health and wellness but also fosters genuine connections among our members.

Why Do You Run? "I run for my mental and physical health. Taking care of a child with a disability can be tough, and hitting the pavement helps me recharge before the day kicks off. This self-care routine has set a positive tone for my day and has shown me the positive impact running can have.

Public Relations
(RRCA Certified Coach)

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? “What inspires and motivates me to keep running is how it makes me feel both mentally and physically. Being part of Sunrise Runners has added another layer of joy and fulfillment—seeing new runners join our morning runs and having the opportunity to run alongside them has become a true source of inspiration and motivation.”

Why do you run? “I started running in January 2024 at the age of 48 to improve my health and well-being. Initially, my goal was to lose weight and become more active. However, once I started running, I challenged myself to complete my first 10K and Half Marathon within the year. Now, I run because I’ve fallen in love with how it makes me feel—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Running has become my therapy and an essential part of my self-care.”

Track & Coach Mentor
(RRCA Certified Coach)

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? What keeps me running is staying committed to my goals and continuing to live an active lifestyle. The races I have in mind motivate me to keep pushing—I've run the Chicago Marathon and the Boston Marathon, and now my next big dream is Western States. I’m also inspired by the chance to be a source of support for others, uplift my community, and make a positive impact in their running journey.

Why do you run? I run because it became a source of therapy for me; a space where I could be independent, take care of my health, and reset after a long day of work. Running allows me to breathe, recenter, and reconnect with myself.

Trail Run Coordinator

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? “My daughter is the one who inspires and pushes me to run. I want my daughter to see that I like to exercise so she can be active.”

Why do you run? “I’ve been running since I was in high school. Running has become part of me, it defines who I am. So I run because it makes me happy; running changed my life and gave me the chance to get an education. Through running I met a lot of great people and have seen a lot of new places. I also run because I want to inspires others to run and to be more active.”

Safety Coordinator

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? ”My sister has inspired me ever since she started running marathons. Seeing her run marathons at her age made me want to start running and eventually run marathons. Maria Lorena Ramirez Hernandez is also my inspiration. She is known for her incredible performance in challenging ultramarathons, and for running in traditional dress and huaraches. My motivation it’s to show my kids the importance of exercising the mind and body.”

Why do you run? “I run for mental clarity and minimize stress, to push my body to new limits. I run to continuously show myself that I can accomplish a goal I once thought was impossible. It has provided me with so many wonderful experiences and I have met so many great people through running. It’s so uplifting and I find it gives me such a boost both physically and mentally.”

Safety & Celebration Coordinator

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? The group that I am in inspires me to run, I love the connections I’ve made and the motivation that these ladies give me to keep on going.

Why do you run? I run to help me improve my mental and physical health. For me running is my time to distress, relax, and feel motivated at my age. I look forward to the days that I run, it makes me feel even more thankful for my body and the ability that I have to be active.

Safety Coordinator

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? My family and daughter are my biggest inspiration. Being able to accomplish goals that seem to be impossible is one of the biggest things that keeps me motivated. My daughter after every run telling me how great I did and cheering me on makes me feel like I can do anything in this world. It is also very inspiring to be part of this wonderful group of women who have very similar goals and aspirations as you.

Why do you run? I run because it gives me the peace and space away from duties with being a stay at home mom. Running has become a big part of my daily life and it’s helped with my mental, emotional and physical health. I lastly run to be able to maintain my healthy lifestyle.

Public Relations

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?
Being a role model for my little ones motivates me every day. I try to involve them whenever I can, so they grow up seeing running as something positive. I’m also inspired by the women I run with—despite our different backgrounds and life experiences, running is what brings us together and keeps us moving forward.

Why do you run?
The connections I’ve made through my running family are unlike anything else. We train together, cheer each other on, and celebrate every milestone. As a mom, running also gives me an outlet—my time to reset, refocus, and pour into myself so I can show up better in every other part of my life.

Walking Group Leader

Why do you run? Never in a million years did I see myself as a runner, but one day, a friend of mine talked me into a 5k and, once I crossed that finish line, I was hooked! That first 5k led to another... And another... And another 100 or so (and counting!). Nothing beats that sense of accomplishment when you just get out there and TRY. Even if you start from zero, even if progress is slow, we are all capable of doing hard things!

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? The running community is just amazing. Seeing all of these incredible athletes -- from top-tier ultra marathoners, to the slowest walkers, and everyone in between -- come together to encourage and support one another, to build each other up to reach and exceed new goals, is so inspiring. Truly there is no judgement; everyone is there to root you on to see you get a little better every day to nudge you out of your comfort zone and help you achieve things you never imagined you could do!

Public Relations & Walking Group Leader

What inspired you and keeps you motivated? “The women in this run club have inspired me with the amazing encouragement they give to each other. Everyone cheers on each other no matter what stage of running they are in. When one triumphs, they all triumph. I am motivated by my boys. I want to show them their mom can do hard things that push and challenge me so I can be an example to them. They are also hold me accountable and encourage me to get it done.”

Why do you run? “I run because I enjoy having something that’s just for me. As a homeschool mom to three boys, running gives me a chance to step away, clear my mind, recharge, and do something that challenges me. And I love races and chasing those shiny medals too. Each one feels like a fun reminder of the work, the miles, and the goals I’ve accomplished.”

Book Club Coordinator

Why do you run? “I have found such an amazing community in running, it keeps me coming back for more. These ladies support me not just through training, but also through personal goals and endeavors. I run for my mental and physical health as well. Running is my ‘me time’ and a form of self care that I’ve really come to appreciate. Running has taught me that I’m so much stronger than I ever could have imagined.”

What inspires you and keeps you motivated? “Staying active makes me feel strong and happy. I love that after a challenging run or a hard workout I feel like I can do anything. I love the idea of being able to support more women to have that feeling. 
What inspires me is my mom. She came to the US with nothing and her and my dad built a family, a legacy and a path for their kids to be able to reach their dreams. Any time I want to quit I think about my mom and it makes me feel like I can do anything; it’s in my blood.”