Lea Reyes, originally uninterested in running, transformed her life through training for half and full marathons after escaping a traumatic marriage. Running has become her passion, helping her conquer depression, connect with a supportive community, and achieve personal growth. Now at 51, she aims to complete races worldwide and cherishes each moment.
Category Archives: Profiles
Meet Half Fanatic 18919 Aman Jindal
Aman Jindal, a Yale MBA student, recounts his unexpected fitness journey starting from a simple gym visit in October 2024. Progressing from walking to running, he pushes himself to complete multiple half-marathons by May 2025. Each race teaches him about physical limits and personal growth as he prepares for upcoming challenges amidst career changes.
Featured Runner: Sandy Straley -MM7675
Sandy Straley began running at 25 to improve her fitness, joining the Larchmont Track Club. She has participated in various races, including marathons and themed runs, often alongside family and friends. With a passion for community, she has raised funds for veterans’ families and completed notable races like the Boston and Berlin Marathons.
Benalmadena Blitz: 10 Marathons, 10 Days, One Goal
Sivabalan Pandian completed an impressive feat of running 10 full marathons in 10 consecutive days from May 23 to June 1, 2025, in Benalmádena, Spain. Despite a prior injury, he maintained consistent finish times and enjoyed the experience with fellow runners, achieving a total of 915 marathons completed.
Reaching An Epic Milestone: 700th Marathon and 9th 50 State Finish
Clyde Shank (MM1383) celebrated completing his 700th full marathon and achieving his 9th round of finishing marathons in all 50 states. He completed the MainlyMarathons New England Series, running 11 marathons in 11 days. The final course featured asphalt with rolling hills, experiencing mid-50s temperatures and light rain along the way.
Meet Joline Cox – Maniac 15462
Joline Cox, a former stay-at-home mom from Heber Springs, Arkansas, transformed her life after gastric sleeve surgery in 2018. Inspired to regain her health, she embraced running, completing her first marathon just nine months later. Now a proud Marathon Maniac, Joline has run 28 marathons, celebrating the journey and connections made through running.
300 Half Marathons and Counting
Debbie Del Favero (HF18611, DA3782, MM16014) celebrated completing her 300th half marathon at the Mainly Marathons Independence Series in Montgomery, NY, on June 8th. This remarkable achievement highlights her dedication and passion for running. Congratulations, Debbie! Photo and post credit to Mainly Marathons.
8th Round of 50 States Complete
Liz Gmerek has completed her 8th Round of 50 States at the Mainly Marathons Independence Series held in Maryland on June 5, 2025. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in her marathon journey. Congratulations to Liz on this achievement! Photo and post credited to Mainly Marathons.
Welcome to the Asylum, Danny Terpstra: Marathon Maniac & Double Agent!
Danny Terpstra has achieved Marathon Maniacs status by completing two marathons in under 16 days, earning the title of “Double Agent.” His journey began with his first marathon on May 4 and includes a fun fact about running a 5K on July 4, 2023. Welcome, Danny!
Featured Runner: Roger Macmillan
At 51, Roger Macmillan began his running journey after being inspired by a friend. Over 15 years, he completed numerous races, eventually running his first marathon at 68. Joining the Marathon Maniacs, he appreciated community support while enjoying various marathons. In total, he completed 115 marathons, cherishing each experience.