Trent Sparrow, Manager – Impact Investments (Investments)
“I used to think marathons were for superheroes, not regular folks like me. But then my friend said, 'You can do anything for four hours. You can watch a couple movies, eight episodes of your favorite show or even run a marathon.’ That sentiment stuck. Now, when I need a push, I think, 'I can run for [insert time].’ It's a small price to pay for endorphins and bragging rights. Besides, we've all wasted more time scrolling through social media or binging our favorite TV show. It’s all about how you choose to spend your time. Make it count! And remember, no matter how fast you run, you are always lapping the person on the couch!”

Sarah Metroff, Marketing Manager – Investments (Communications)
“As someone who has run three marathons and regularly talks about the joy in running, friends and family sometimes ask for advice as they prepare for a race of their own. One of my favorite things to tell them is to plan out certain mile markers to see loved ones at and write those miles on your hand as a reminder. It’s so helpful to have something to uplift you as your race gets more challenging, and nothing gives me a burst of energy quite like seeing the love and support of family and friends.”

Kelly Schiff, Learning and Development – Change Management Specialist (Human Resources)
“I've been a casual runner for many years, but in 2024, I decided to push myself and set an ambitious goal of running the Chicago Marathon. I truly enjoyed the training process—even though you're working hard, putting in those long miles can get you into a surprisingly peaceful state of mind. I was fortunate to raise over $2,000 through donations from friends, family and colleagues for my charity, Every Mother Counts, which provides maternal health care for moms in under-resourced communities around the world. The race was an unforgettable experience—so much positive energy and love from the spectators helps you run your hardest!”

Jodi Benacka, Manager – Health and Well-Being (Benefit Plans)
“I ran my first Ragnar—a long distance overnight relay race—three years ago and remember feeling so nervous to run by myself in the middle of the night with no sleep. It’s not for the faint of heart! After completing the first one, I was hooked and finished my third Ragnar this past September. Full transparency: it’s not easy, but it’s so rewarding when you finish and such a fun experience running with your group of friends. Pro tip: start slow if you are new to running. You don’t have to run a marathon out of the gate. Your endurance will improve over time and then you might find yourself running on a trail at 2:00 a.m. with nothing but a head lamp to keep you from taking a spill!”

Steve Clark, Associate General Counsel (Legal Services)
“I ran cross country and track in high school, and then rediscovered running in my early thirties. Since then, I’ve run 23 marathons, including 12 Chicago Marathons, three Boston Marathons, the London Marathon and the Berlin Marathon. I hope to do many more, although I’ve found it harder to stay injury-free as I get older. My advice to newer runners is to take things slowly and not try to do too much, too soon. Also, running with a group is helpful in keeping you motivated and meeting new people.”

Aneta Zalinska, Associate Content Manager (Communications)
“I had never been much of a runner—in fact, I used to dislike it, but I was inspired by my close friend to run my first half marathon in 2023. I was so nervous. I worried I wouldn’t be able finish and would regret the whole thing, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Running the Chicago Half Marathon was one of the best experiences of my life. Even as I felt myself getting tired, the energy of the runners and crowd around me kept me going. My word of advice? Trust that you can do it, even if you don’t think you can.”