Alyssa Peterson

Nominated by Betsy Husen

Sometimes the most inspiring runners aren’t the fastest or the loudest. They’re the ones quietly showing up, day after day, in the middle of a full life. That’s Alyssa.

Alyssa and Betsy grew up in the same town and went to the same high school, but it wasn’t until they started teaching together about eight years ago that they really connected. Since then, one thing has always stood out: Alyssa is loyal. Loyal to her family, her friends, and the commitments she makes. When she decides to do something, she follows through.

As a busy mom of three boys, a teacher, and a wife, life isn’t exactly slow or simple. She’s been through hard moments, but she continues to push forward especially when it comes to her family and their well-being. That steady commitment is something many people admire about her.

A couple years ago, Alyssa made a promise to herself. After years away from consistent running, she set a goal to run the Fargo Half Marathon in May 2024. She trained through the winter months, fitting runs into early mornings and late evenings. Crossing the finish line was a huge accomplishment, but seeing the pride and excitement on her boys’ faces made it even more meaningful.

Alyssa is a great example of what an everyday runner looks like. She’s not chasing wins or times; she’s proving to herself that she can do hard things. And she does it with humor. If you’ve spent any time around her, you know she can find the fun in almost any situation and bring laughter along with her.

Over the past year and a half, her love for running has clearly grown. She gets excited about races, lights up when she talks about running, and that energy naturally spreads to the people around her. Simply put, she makes the community better by being part of it.

And to close, these words say it best: “I'm so proud of you and the work you're putting in. You're not only finding something that brings you joy, but you're showing your boys what it means to work hard and be committed to something. I can't wait to watch you crush your next goal!”


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