My dear friends and family,

This is Sarah, the youngest Larson. I first want to thank you for the ways you’ve walked alongside my family this last year. Your prayers and support have lifted us up, and one of my greatest prayers of my dad walking me down the aisle was answered last October.

Since January, I’ve been training for the Colfax Marathon in Denver. I’ve been getting up before the sun and running before work. One of the main reasons I wanted to sign up for the race was to run it for my dad. I will never understand the pain he’s been through since April 2023 when the journey started and faced with a major surgery, 12 rounds of chemotherapy, and  his current clinical trial treatments in Fairfax. I’ve never run a marathon before, but when I am aching from these long distances, I think of my dad and am motivated to keep going for him.

I also love the quiet mornings and the space I get to pray for my dad while I run. I pray for healing, I pray for his appointments, and I pray for my mom as she is his helper. I’m reminded of who the Lord is while I pray and run. Even in the middle of trials He is Immanuel, God with us.

I’m reminded of the importance of doing life with others as I train for this marathon. My dear friend meets me early before work to run and keeps me accountable on the cold and snowy days when it’s hard to get out the door. My husband and other dear friends have joined us on runs, and their support and encouragement along the way has kept me motivated to keep going.

Running has been a big part of the last 13 years of my life. It keeps my journey with Jesus at the forefront of my mind as I’m reminded of how trials in life are a lot like running. In Hebrews 12, Paul says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Through the trials, Jesus and his promises keep me anchored.

I run this marathon for my hero, my dad, and for the glory of Jesus. My dad is turning 60 on May 7th, and this race is just 12 days later. In honor of his 60th birthday, my goal is to raise $1,964 (he was born in 1964) for  “Project Purple,” a nonprofit organization that raises awareness, drives crucial research, and provides aid for patients who are battling pancreatic cancer. Please consider celebrating my dad’s birthday and the mission by donating to the goal on this link:  https://www.givengain.com/project/sarah-raising-funds-for-project-purple-74806

My hope is that the marathon can be a testimony to the way my dad is faithfully running his marathon as I team up with PanCan and the Purple Stride team to help others in this same battle with cancer. Through it all, I am thankful we serve a God that is running with us and goes before us.

From Colorado with love and thanks,

Sarah Walters