Dear Beautiful Community,
Sometimes when we celebrate someone’s achievements, we only see the finish line.
The medal. The photos. The big milestone moment.
But behind every finish line is a long stretch of quiet work that most people never see. And this week, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, I found myself thinking about the behind-the-scenes story of Kimberly Long.
Kimberly’s running journey did not begin with a grand plan. It began during COVID, like so many of our own personal resets. Life had slowed down, routines had shifted, and she set a simple goal for herself: run a 5K.
Just one.
Behind the scenes, that meant early mornings when the world was still quiet. It meant putting on running shoes even on days when motivation felt far away. It meant slowly building discipline mile by mile.
What started as a small personal challenge grew into something far bigger than anyone expected.
Today, Kimberly is on a mission to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors, one of the most ambitious goals in distance running. Fewer than one percent of marathoners ever complete all six of the original majors.
But the races themselves are only part of the story.
Behind every one of those world stages is a runner waking up before sunrise. Training alone on empty streets. Running through long hours of preparation that never make it into the highlight reel.
Chicago in 2021 marked Kimberly’s first World Major, where the dream of completing the series truly began. Berlin followed in 2022, where the historic course helped push her confidence forward. New York City in 2023 challenged her physically and mentally, but the energy of the crowd carried her through. In 2024, Tokyo and London expanded the journey internationally, each city offering its own culture, challenge, and sense of accomplishment.
Sydney will join her story in 2025, and in 2026 she will step onto one of the most legendary courses in the world.
The Boston Marathon.
The Jimmy Fund Through the Years | Photos from jimmyfund.org
But Boston represents more than a race.
Behind the scenes, this marathon carries a deeper purpose. Kimberly has joined the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team, raising funds to support groundbreaking cancer research.
The reason is deeply personal. In 2025, the teenage daughter of one of her closest friends, Emilisse, was diagnosed with stage 4, grade 4 cancer. Watching Emilisse face this fight with courage has reshaped Kimberly’s running journey. Every mile now carries a greater meaning.
Training miles have become moments of reflection. Long runs have become quiet spaces to think about resilience and hope. And in support of Emilisse and her family, Kimberly has committed to matching every donation raised for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge.
Her running journey has also inspired her to give back in other ways. For the past two years, Kimberly has served as both Board Member and Treasurer for Girls on the Run, Las Vegas, helping young girls discover confidence, strength, and joy through running.
Behind the races, behind the medals, behind the headlines, what we see is a woman choosing to turn her passion into purpose.
And perhaps the most meaningful part of this story is the example she is setting for her son. Showing him that dreams are worth pursuing, that discipline builds strength, and that success is even more powerful when it lifts others along the way.
During Women’s History Month, we celebrate women who are shaping the future through leadership, courage, and compassion. Kimberly Long reminds us that sometimes leadership begins quietly, with a single step forward.
A single mile.
A single decision to keep going.
With admiration,
Mother Roast
P.S. Here is the link to donate: http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/Kim_Long