Why would anyone want to run a 13.1 or 26.2 mile marathon?

There are 18 days before the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, a life-changing experience for the 27,000 runners who will be participating in the race this year.

Why would anyone want to run a 13.1 or 26.2 mile marathon?

According to Frankie Ruiz, chief running officer at U.S. Road Sports, “there are 27,000 runners and 27,000 stories as to why someone runs.”   As a runner himself, he knows the rush and exhilaration of competition. Frankie says, “There are a lot of inspiring individuals out there…”

Meet Sasha Sagastume, half- marathoner and cancer survivor.

In 2009, Sasha had a cancer diagnosis and decided to change her life.  At that time, she weighed over 200 pounds and wanted to train for her first marathon.  Her goal was to get fit and healthy.  She was serious.  She joined a running group and finished her first ING half marathon in 2 hours and 50 minutes with her coach by her side.

Sasha says, “It was a challenge but I finished and knew I could do better.”  Her first experience at ING was amazing, and she was hooked.  Sasha has run in every half marathon since and today weighs in at 140 pounds and is proud to call herself a “runner” with her best time being 2:04.

Sasha was full of pride and excited about her success and wanted to share her crossing the finish line experience with others.  She became a coach at her running group.  As she had planned, she ran the marathon alongside her friend who ran his very first marathon in 2012.

Today, Sasha says, “I can honestly say that thanks to ING, I am a runner and look forward to the ING every year.  Once I am in better health, I plan to complete the ING Miami full marathon.”

Go Sasha!

By now, I know that all of you have made your New Year’s resolutions, and I hope you are sticking to a few of them. But just in case you haven’t made yours and you are inspired by Sasha’s story, Baptist Health South Florida can help you.

As the proud sponsor of Wellness Wednesdays on WSVN7, we have produced a series of interviews and tips from marathoners, medical experts and sports professionals who will show you how to accomplish your goals and kick off the new year for a healthier, happier and more active YOU!

The series appears on WSVN every Wednesday beginning December 13 and will continue until the ING Miami Marathon on Sunday, January 27. Many of the people you will meet throughout the series are “regular” people who made a resolution to become healthy and enjoy a better lifestyle.