Kimberly Christianson

Nominated by her husband, Roger Christianson

Some people run races. Others run toward life. Kimberly Christianson does both and she’s been doing it for a long time.

For 44 years, her husband has had a front-row seat to what makes Kimberly special. If there’s one word that defines her, it’s optimistic. Always. No matter the weather, the setbacks, or the circumstances, she shows up with a positive attitude and a willingness to keep going.

Kimberly is deeply committed to what she says she’ll do. Whether it’s a workout, a race, or simply showing up for others, she follows through. Not because it’s easy, but because that’s just who she is. She brings energy, consistency, and a genuine love for life into everything she does.

That mindset showed up in a big way last year in Cape Town. As she walked out of the hotel, ready to run a marathon, the race was canceled. For most people, that would’ve been the end of the story. For Kimberly, it was just a pivot. She rallied a small group and found another marathon to run the following weekend, turning a disappointment into something memorable.

For more than 20 years, Kimberly has been a steady presence in the running community. She’s encouraged others, cheered people on, and quietly built a legacy of support. At the same time, she’s accomplished some incredible things herself, including approaching her 70th marathon and completing races across seven continents, with Sydney on deck this August. And through it all, she stays humble.

Her message to others is simple: enjoy the journey. It’s something she lives out daily. She doesn’t overcomplicate things. She embraces life, trusts she’ll figure it out, and keeps moving forward.

She’s also not someone who bails. Even if she’s the only one who shows up, she’s there. That consistency has shaped not just her own journey, but the people around her, including her husband, who has joined her in events around the world, often running alongside her or cheering her on.

One of the most memorable moments came in Banff. After dealing with an injury that forced her to drop from the marathon, she adjusted her plan and ran the half marathon instead, on the same day as their 40th wedding anniversary. They ran it together, and she felt great. It was a perfect example of how Kimberly approaches life: adapt, stay positive, and make the most of the moment.

If Kimberly were a running shoe, she’d be a Hoka. Ddependable, comfortable, and always ready to go the distance.

More than anything, Kimberly is admired for her humility, her love for others, especially children, and the way she chooses to show up with optimism every single day.

And from the person who knows her best:

I love you. Thank you for inspiring me to be the healthy person I am.