Sarah Gooding

After moving from Orlando to the Joplin area in 2014, Lorraina Porter and her son Austin found running and triathlons as a way to connect with their new community and each other. Austin rediscovered his passion for running and swimming, while Lorraina rekindled her athletic goals, training together for events like half-marathons and triathlons. Their shared dedication has strengthened their bond and inspired Lorraina to encourage others to pursue their dreams.

Mark Myers' journey into ultra running mirrors his faith walk, teaching him resilience, humility, and redemption through both triumphs and failures. After a humbling first marathon, he embraced longer distances not for speed but for the lessons, scenery, and personal growth. Myers sees each run — even those he doesn't finish — as a reflection of his spiritual perseverance and the enduring truth that failure is not final.

Friends Cassee Hulsey and Kobee Turley turned their gym friendship into a new passion when they took up running in 2018. What began as a tough mental challenge quickly became a source of motivation, confidence, and fitness. Now, with races behind them and goals ahead, they prove that the first step is simply deciding you want to try.

Rustan Crockett finds running to be both a challenge and a comfort—a way to push himself through hard moments while embracing something pure and familiar. For him, running isn’t just about athletics, but about persevering in the “race of life,” staying healthy for his family, and leading by example as an elementary PE teacher. Whether it’s tough or fun, running keeps him moving forward with purpose.

Amy Sampson of Monett completed the Ironman Lake Placid triathlon, a 140.6-mile feat, as both a personal milestone and a triumph over depression, crediting a strong support system and 11 months of dedicated training.

For the Beecher family, running is more than a sport—it's a shared passion that has strengthened family bonds, inspired careers, and sparked lifelong habits of health and connection. From school track meets to family races and half marathons, their journey shows how running together can truly bring a family closer.