Sara Nearman – HKRS Stafford, VA

How many seasons have you been a Community Coordinator?

I have completed two seasons as Community Coordinator.

What’s a great mission moment you’ve experienced as a Coordinator?

I had one girl who had aged up to the mile but didn’t realize it until the first race. She didn’t think she was ready, and her mom told me she cried afterward because it was so hard. She returned the next week ready to run and ended up coming in third for the series. 

There was a mile runner who inadvertently skipped the second loop of the mile course on the first week. She realized what she had done, but it was too late. She admitted her error through tears. I communicated with her mom afterward and despite being super upset about her error, she was excited to come back and run the full course the next week. 

Why do you love Healthy Kids?

I love running and I love being an active member of my community. Healthy Kids brings those together and allows me to share that love with the next generation. Running has had such a positive impact on my life, and I wish I had been introduced to it, and leading a healthy lifestyle in general, sooner. These kids are getting a great start that I didn’t have. 

What’s your goal for the local HKRS program / your community?

My goal for the local program here in Stafford is to just keep growing it. We’ve moved to a location that has plenty of room for growth and I’d love to have 500 kids in a single season. 

Fun Fact!

I didn’t start running until I was 40 and I’ve completed 6 marathons and an ultramarathon.