Originally from Sacramento, I now live just outside Denver, Colorado. After 13 years of chasing my BQ, I finally earned it at CIM in 2019. I’ve finished 8 CIMs (3 BQs and 1 sub-3), completed Ironman California in 2022, and have been running since 2006. This will be my third year as a CIM Ambassador, and I’m just as excited as ever to help runners train smart, race strong, and soak in everything this incredible event offers. With two young boys and an energetic dog at home, I get plenty of “cross-training” outside of running. CIM will always be my favorite race—it’s where dreams come true—and I’m committed to running it every year for the rest of my life.

Instagram – @DavidDamron
Website – RunnerChecklists.com

After running my first marathon in 2014 at Vermont City, I fell in love.  I’ve since completed 14 marathons, with CIM 2024 being my personal best and most recent, but have found so much more than just new roads.  Running has brought me solace in hard times, countless new friends and opportunities, and the mental fortitude to push for successes greater than I ever thought possible.

My goal for 2025 is to continue meeting runners of all levels and gaining inspirations from those around me.  There is no greater power than the kindness and tenacity of those pushing their boundaries and reaching for new heights. Just watch the finish line of a marathon – the inspiration you witness there is limitless.

I’m thrilled to run this course again with a first-time loop under my belt, and a stronger community of people from being a CIM ambassador.

Instagram – @linnaecaroline @runlinnaerun

I’m Kendall! Fitness enthusiast, dog mom, friend, NASM CPT & RRCA Run Coach based in Dallas, Texas. I have been deeply connected to sports and fitness throughout my life but ventured into the world of marathon training in 2021. I’ve run four full marathons with CIM 2024 being my fourth and holding my current PR- 3:04:51. Can you guess my time goal for CIM 2025? 🙂

Running provides me the opportunity to show up for myself every day before showing up for my other commitments. I hope to inspire others to fall in love with the process of training. Marathon training is a BIG commitment! But when you cross that finish line and look back on the variables YOU manipulated to make your goal happen… that feeling of self-efficacy is how we fall in love with the process and find a sustainable practice.

CIM is my favorite race- smooth logistics, an encouraging community, and a fantastic course. Want to chat race strategy or the course? Here for your questions!

Instagram – @kendallnrose @runstrongwithkendall

Running has always been part of my life, having grown up with a very athletic background. I was always a “good” runner but I did not start taking running more seriously until after I was diagnosed with lupus in 2017. After my lupus diagnosis, my whole world changed and for almost 2 years, life came to a complete halt, including running. Because of how lupus was ravaging my body, never did I believe I’d be able to run again, considering how, simply walking 5ft, felt as though I ran 2 marathons. But through much trial and error with medication, diet, lifestyle and really leaning into my faith and the support of my friends and family, SLOWLY but surely lupus began to get better managed and I finally began relearning my body from walking to eventually running. I would go on to run my first half in 2021, first full (CIM) in 2022, first BQ in 2023 and completed my first Boston in 2024. Lupus has changed my life completely but it has changed it for the better, and it has taught me to never give up, we are always stronger than we believe, and life along with running are team sports.

A goal for running that I have, is to continue to stay humble and inspire others to make the most of running and their health through my experience and life with lupus. Most lupus and autoimmune patients I know would give anything to walk without pain, let alone run, so if one person could benefit from my story, then it’s all been worth it.

I love CIM because it was my first marathon in 2022, five years post lupus diagnosis and I unknowingly ran 5min shy of a BQ then (didn’t know what a BQ was at the time). So this time around, I feel will be just as emotional as the first time but it will be my 3rd time back and 2nd time “racing” with an audacious goal of 2:40-45. 

Instagram – @a.sosa_ii

I was always involved in sports growing up so running has always had a place in my life (just not as enjoyable) but after my college football career ended running was something I leaned on to stay in good health and find community. When I started I definitely was the person who said they’d never run a marathon; not because I thought I lacked the ability, but really had no motivation because I just loved showing up and running the streets with my friends. Now after completing 9 marathons, moving cities and starting Unseen Run Club two years ago I can definitively say that love of community and racing do actually co-exist. It’s been amazing to connect with like minded individuals and see the representation in the sport grow as well and proud to do my part.

The general public doesn’t give CIM the same respect as world majors and to me that adds to its appeal by making CIM truly a “runners” race. With running being as mainstream as it’s ever been, having something that’s niche to the culture is important and exciting. The reputation of the course and race day conditions attracts people of every ability level but there’s a buzz in the air because everyone there is focused on their goal and very little else. if done right you can feed on that energy and have it carry into a very special race day.

In this current phase I’m all in on growing community and representation in the running space.

Instagram – @this.jvstin