Every Woman's Marathon Rising Hearts Runners!
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR RUNNERS FOR THE EVERY WOMAN’S MARATHON 2025!
Hello Community!
Let’s celebrate these amazing humans! Our runners and friends for the Every Woman’s Marathon 2025, who have said yes, have helped promote Rising Hearts and are helping to fundraise for the heart work we are grateful to keep doing. We have already had our first team introduction call! And what a call that was to virtually be in the same space, learn from each other, feel all of what we are feeling, and being there to support each other.
We have a handful of runners who have helped fundraise for us! No matter large or small, that financial support has it’s place to be and support in the heart work we do! And with this last effort, it will be our last big goal of $10,000 for 2025! The Every Woman’s Marathon fundraiser will conclude at the end of Giving Tuesday on December 2, 2025.
Learn a bit more about our runners, their why and what’s to come! Or see their whole profiles via our website where we will share our updates and programming in Arizona.
- Rising Hearts
MEET THE RUNNERS!
+ About Amanda:
Amanda Presgraves lives in the Friendly City of Harrisonburg, VA, where she fosters vibrant, equitable outdoor spaces and community connections through the joys of biking and trails as Director of Community Enchantment for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, a Professional USA Off-Road Triathlete, ultra-runner, author of The NonRecipe Book, and a Mental Performance Coach for teen athletes. Amanda's work and passions celebrate the limitless possibilities of the human spirit and the nourishment found in movement and creativity.
+ What brought you to running?
I grew up as a competitive swimmer from the age of 4 through D1 in college….however…from my earliest memories, any opportunity I had to run boundlessly, sprinting to expend my endless energy, felt like liberation. While swimming (and running during soccer) was my outlet as a kid, any chance where we’d run the mile or pacer in P.E. class - I thrived. Often, my classmates begged me to finish the pacer test early so we could play other games…yet I always wanted to see how far I could get past 100. I was drawn to the thrill of speed, heavy breathing, and pushing my absolute limits. What was posssible!? After wrapping up my collegiate swimming career at JMU, I was drawn to triathlon, where I could officially embrace my running journey. On our second date, my partner took me to trails by mountain biking, and later running, where I now continue to discover an enhanced connection to the land, community, and my spirit. My happy place is spending the day running through the thick forest with my sweet pup, Mistie, and the many friendships that running has led me to cultivate.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
I never had any interest in running a road marathon—the trails have always been where I felt the most at peace and curious. This past year, our local fem trail running group (Her+ Trail Run) became the weekly highlight I eagerly anticipated for the miles I’d share, giggling and getting lost in the conversation with over a dozen+ folks each Wednesday. A whole new meaning behind my running emerged, and being a part of this community inspired me to run Every Woman’s Marathon…I mean c’mon…the chance to be among hundreds of other women, meeting our limits together, sharing in the wondrous gift that running can be?? It brings us together, and I love that. We need more of the work that Rising Hearts is doing to bring more diversity and richness to running and the outdoors. Between sharing this experience alongside other women/femmes, amplifying more BIPOC runners in this space, AND mutually uplifting each other in the process - I was in.
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
The ways it makes me feel. Rising early to greet the sun and my breath through movement is what I know. Running simultaneously energizes me while giving me an outlet for my immense energy. My thoughts are clearer, my heart is open, grounded in my sense of self and place, my mind is at peace and my body feels uniquely and strongly my own.
+ Any mantras/affirmations you tell yourself?
Mantras: You don’t have to be anything more than what you’re capable of; Anything can happen; Steady, smooth, strong, speedy; Open to it all; All we get is a memory; Don’t limit; Here for it all; Surprise yourself; Nothing to lose.
“You can do it like it’s a great weight on you, or you can do it like it’s part of the dance” - Ram Dass
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $1,000
Follow AMANDA on IG: @Amandapresgraves
+ About Ashleigh:
Ashleigh Thompson (she/her) is a member of Red Lake Nation and outdoor adventurer based in Montana. As an athlete ambassador for different outdoor brands over the last several years, she’s worked to make outdoor spaces more inclusive and welcoming for everyone. Ashleigh is happiest outdoors, whether she’s running, biking, or scaling rocks.
+ What brought you to running? Joy! Running has made me happy since I was a young girl–I continue to run because it’s good medicine.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon? I love that Every Women’s Marathon centers on women. I look forward to being part of the Rising Hearts team because running with a community that shares the same values as me is so important. I appreciate how Rising Hearts raises awareness and funding for important causes while building community, and I’m excited to contribute as a team member for this race.
+ What gets you out the door to go run? Mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself? “Stop your bi*ing and start miigwech-ing!” To me, it’s a nod to the Ojibwe language word for thanks (miigwech) and a reminder to be grateful for running and life generally.
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $800
Follow ASHLEIGH on IG: @ashanishinaabe
+ About Cali:
I am a citizen of the Diné and Hopi Tribes, raised in Ganado, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation. I am Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). My maternal grandfather is Dawa (Hopi Sun Clan), and my paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). These clans root me in who I am, where I come from, and how I am connected to others. This deep sense of relationality and responsibility guides my work in Public Health, Tribal Health Policy, and Indigenous Data Sovereignty, shaping my commitment to community, land, and all my relations.
+ What brought me to running?
Running has always been a part of my life. From a young age, I was taught the importance of rising early and running to give thanks for a new day. Running also played a central role in my coming-of-age ceremony, the Kinaaldá, where I was instructed to run at dawn during each of the four days. I was told that the further I ran, the further I would go in life. For me, running has always been more than exercise. It is prayer, meditation, and deep reflection. Each time I run, I give thanks for my health, for the land and all her life-giving elements. I run in gratitude for my family, my community, the generations before me, and those yet to come. Running continues to shape who I am and teaches me enduring lessons of resilience, balance, and connection.
+ Why do I want to run the Every Woman’s Marathon? I want to run the Every Woman’s Marathon because it represents more than a race. It is a celebration of the strength and resilience that women of all walks of life carry. This marathon creates space for women to come together, uplift one another, and redefine what is possible. At the national level, more men than women participate in marathons, and I am committed to helping shift that balance by increasing representation. I run to honor not only women, but also members of the LGBTQ+ community. Running this marathon is an opportunity to stand in solidarity, celebrate resilience, and affirm the message that we all belong.
+ What gets me out the door to run?
What gets me out the door to run is gratitude for the ability to run. I never take for granted having a healthy and able body, and I see running as a gift I want to honor whenever possible. I also recognize the work and dedication I’ve put into becoming the runner I am today, and I don’t want to lose that progress simply because motivation wavers. I remind myself that discipline carries me when motivation does not.
+ Mantras/Affirmations:
Consistency is key!
Follow CALI on IG: @calicurls_5
+ About Charlinda:
Dr. Charlinda Haudley is a member of the Navajo Nation, from Chinle, Arizona. She is the Stakeholder Outreach Coordinator with the Central Arizona Project as the tribal liaison. Prior, she was the Deputy Scheduling Director for U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, and the Assistant to the State Director at the United States Senate. She recently participated in the Advance Native Political Leadership Arizona-based training and Arizona State University's American Indian Policy Institute's Indigenous Leadership Academy. She serves on the Native American Advisory Council for the University of Arizona. She is a member of the Emerging Leaders Council with the Chamber of Southern Arizona. She is also a 2022 Flinn-Brown Fellow and this year she was the recipient of the “Arizona Champion Southern Arizona.” She previously served as a board member with the American Indian Alumni Association and Greater Tucson Leadership. Her recognitions include Tucson’s 40 under 40 award in 2020, the 2021 Special Contributions to Indian Education Award and the 2019 Maria Teresa Velez Diversity Leadership Award.
+ What brought you to running?
Life can become quite hectic, so running motivates me to take a step back and dedicate time to myself and my reflections. The last few years have been challenging for me on a personal level, and running has served as a means for me to focus on my breathing, discover spots for brief meditation, and connect with my inner self. Running challenges me mentally and has offered a significant chance to learn how to speak positively to my body for all that it does for me.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
I am eager to participate in the Every Woman's Marathon as it presents a chance to push my mental limits. Having never run an a marathon before, I am confident in my body's ability to reach this goal. While running and organized events can be costly, the support from Rising Hearts enables me to pursue this new objective. I aspire to represent both the organization and Native American women during the race. Additionally, I hope to inspire fellow new runners like myself, demonstrating that with self-belief, anything is achievable.
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
The chirping of birds and the sight of the sunrise motivate me to step outside for a run. One of my family members is in prison and sadly cannot experience the beauty of a sunrise or sunset. Each day, I am reminded of how blessed I am and seize every chance to be outdoors, cherishing everything that surrounds me.
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself?
T'áá hó'ájitéégóó, t'éiyá
In Navajo language, this saying means, “it’s up to you” or “you decide what will happen/be done”.
Follow CHARLINDA on IG: @charhaudley_
+ About Jordan:
My name is Jordan! I’m Lakota, member of the Lower Brule Indian Reservation. A mom to a 3.5yo son and 20mo twin girls! I’m the founder and Executive Director of Rising Hearts, a fourth generation runner and Athlete Advocate, Project Manager, Filmmaker, and public speaker!
Movement has been part of my life since I could remember. As running intersects with my passions of advocacy and community, it brings more meaning and deeper purpose to my why – for my family, for those who can’t run and no longer here, and to help elevate and celebrate Indigenous running, while bringing community together!
+ What brought me to running?
I began running when I was 10 years old. I’m a 4th generation runner, and have looked up to my family, who pushed themselves, inspired their community and family, which motivated me to keep running for my family, for our community, for those no longer here. My running journey began more competitive and to inspire others like me, and once I graduated college, and began working, I ran professionally. While living in DC, my path of running and advocacy, started to intersect, and finding more of my why for running. And then in 2019, my running came to a point and decision, that my running and advocacy were no longer separate, and were meant to be braided together. And ever since, my world of running has changed immensely, in the best of ways!
+ Why do I want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
I wanted to run in their first ever EWM, but the timing didn’t align. In their 2nd year, I wanted to make sure I could experience with friends and community, even if it’s 2 weeks after the New York City Marathon! Rising Hearts has partnered with EWM in a few different ways, and we are excited to help elevate Indigenous runners and voices at this event!
Follow JORDAN on IG: @nativein_la
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $2,000
DONATE TO RISING HEARTS
+ About Karla:
My name is Karla and I and I have been running in some capacity since I was 10 years old when I joined the middle school cross country team and have never fully stopped. I currently live in Atlanta, GA and run on Muscogee and Cherokee lands. In 2024, I became part of the ReNew Earth Running team which uses running as a way to raise funds for Indigenous land stewardship. #LegsForLandBack.This organization helped me reconnect to why I love running: it provides me a space for purpose, reflection, and connection to community and the land that I run on. As a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants with Indigenous roots, I am very aware of the need for representation, safety, and equity in the running space. I am grateful for the lands of my grandparents that keep me rooted to who I am and honor their history everywhere I go.
When I'm not running, I work in Global Health, currently helping in qualitative research towards malaria elimination in the Dominican Republic. I love trying new vegan recipes, learning about native plants and animals, gardening, reading, hiking with my husband, and more. I'm passionate about reciprocal living and mindful consumption and I try to amplify these values whenever I can.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
I want to run the Every Woman's Marathon because I believe that running provides space for all of us. For myself, running has always been a constant whether I was stressed, joyful, grieving, etc. Running helps connect us to ourselves and each other and I'm so excited to connect with so many other people at this year's marathon. Also, although I've been running for about twenty years now I've actually never ran an official marathon! I'm excited for my first one to be dedicated to Rising Hearts!
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
Running is part of my spiritual practice so for me getting out the door means remembering that it's about more than putting one foot in front of the other. Running for me is about connecting to those around me, the birds and butterflies I see on my runs, the plants I get to enjoy, and thinking through the hardships and joys that God has put in front of me for the day. Remembering these opportunities for reflection and prayer keep me going when I don't want to get up!
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself?
Movement is a privilege and I try to remind myself of that every day. When I try to run fast I always remember my mom yelling at me in my meets "Corre Kaly! ¡Como si hubiera un león detrás de ti!" and it makes me laugh and go faster.
Follow Karla on IG: @lathriftingvegana
Fundraising Goal: $500
DONATE TO KARLA’S FUNDRAISER
+ About Lace:
I am a mom of two busy teenagers. I love to do self work fitness & health and wellness. I love running, hiking, yoga & spending as much time outside in nature as possible.
+ What brought you to running?
I started running 15 years ago after I had my son because I wanted to shed a few pounds, but what I found from running is so much greater than I lost. Running proves we can do tough things. Running is healing and it is a time when I can sort out my thoughts and connect to the land and my ancestors, like my Dad. Running helps me stay grounded and connected to my path.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
The fact that it is for US! FOR WOMEN! Its so exciting and truly an HONOR!!!!
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
Others truly motive me. I love to see other runners posts on social media - it inspires me to grow up and be like them. Its also very easy to lace up my shoes and get out the door because I know how amazing I will feel physically and mentally once the run is over.
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself:
Be the type of women that makes other women want to rise.
One foot in front of the other. Over and over.
Your body built a human. It can run this run!!!!!
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $1,000
Follow LACE on IG: @lacemarieruns
+ About Mariah:
Mariah Zavala (Pascua Yaqui, Oaxacan, Puerto Rican) is a community advocate, ultrarunner, and business development professional at Mountain Mojo Group, a Flagstaff-based marketing agency. She is the founder of the Pascua Yaqui Youth Rafting Experience, a culturally grounded outdoor program designed to build pride, resilience, and wellness for Indigenous youth. She also serves as Co-Chair of the City of Flagstaff Indigenous Commission and Chair of the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. As a runner, Mariah uses movement as prayer, healing, and advocacy, honoring her grandmother, a victim of the MMIW epidemic.
+ What brought you to running?
What first brought me to running was honestly that it was free. I was a poor kid in high school looking for an extracurricular that wouldn’t cost my mom an arm and a leg, and cross country and track became that space. My mom had been a runner, and I also knew running was part of my culture as Yaqui, Oaxacan, and Puerto Rican. The rest was history — running became healing, motivating, and everything I needed to stay focused and endure.
Later in life it grew into something much bigger than me. It became representation in white-dominated spaces, and I loved being the brown girl who could place at a race. After some life happened and I returned to racing, I carried a deeper purpose: to run for my people, my grandma, my relatives, my community. In my culture, any mandas, the promises we make, are honored in threes. My manda has been to run in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women for three years, beginning with my first race back in August 2023. Races that are gifted to me in this way are opportunities to keep that promise, to give back, raise awareness, and bring prayer to our communities.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman’s Marathon?
I want to run the Every Woman’s Marathon to continue honoring my manda. In my culture, promises are carried out in threes, and this race is part of fulfilling that commitment to run in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Opportunities like this are gifts, and I see them as a responsibility to show up not just for myself, but for my grandma, my relatives, and my community. This marathon is about carrying prayer, celebrating resilience, and reminding the world that Indigenous women belong in every space, even those where we are often unseen.
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
The fact that I can. So many of my relatives are physically unable to, or no longer on this earth to even have the option. I know I need to run for prayer, for my health and wellness, for joy. For us.
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself?
I am here to represent and fight because my grandma cannot anymore, and because there are relatives who cannot. I remind myself that I deserve to be here. I deserve to be loved. I deserve to keep showing up. I am allowed to take up space. And I am worthy.
Follow MARIAH on IG: @mzavala77726
(PC: Carl Maynard @carlnard)
+ About Mel:
I'm a long-time runner, freelance journalist in the coffee industry, and avid concert-goer living in Los Angeles. Running has always been my way of maintaining the deep connection with nature that I've felt since I was a kid. I have an M.S. in International Agricultural Development, which I utilize in my writing to amplify the voices of farmers and underrepresented communities.
+ What brought you to running?
I started running in high school to escape into the woods, clear my mind, and connect with the land under my feet. Running still serves the same purpose today.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
Being surrounded by so many women in their power is a unique and invigorating experience. I can't wait! I especially admire that this race empowers women of all paces to pursue new milestones.
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
Running is my daily window of escape from society and reconnection with nature. Therefore, it's also my favorite way to spend time with friends.
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself?
My mom told me "Remember your bliss" before a race in high school and it's stuck with me ever since.
GOAL: $800
Follow MELINA on IG: @meldevoney
+ About Rocío:
Rocío Villalobos (she/her/ella) is a Xicana Indigenous trail runner and advocate who has been involved in social justice movement work in Austin for most of her life, covering education, immigration, and the outdoors / environment. Her transnational childhood shaped her understanding of community, family, migration, inequity, and borders, all of which led her to her current position as the Immigrant Affairs Manager with the City of Austin’s Office of Equity and Inclusion. Rocío is also the co-founder of Indigenous Movement Crew, a running and wellness group based in Austin, TX that centers Indigenous people and is founded on the belief that movement is medicine.
+ What brought you to running?
I started running during a very low point in my life. I was in recovery from severe depression and an eating disorder and was trying to find something that could bring me a sense of peace. I started going for walks around a local hike and bike trail and one day I decided to see how far I could run without stopping. I didn't enjoy running when I was growing up so I couldn't run for very long when I started, but over time I fell in love with it. Running quieted my negative self-talk and gradually helped me feel strong and powerful. I love that running continues to help me answer the question, "what else am I capable of?
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
I love that this race is a celebration of women and a celebration of running as a form of joyful movement. A lot of running spaces can make you feel like you have to fit a certain mold in order to call yourself a runner. Every Woman's Marathon is fighting to change that narrative and helping people celebrate their bodies as they are right now, and that's a vision I can get behind.
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
Connecting with the land grounds me. Spending time in nature quiets my mind. Whether I'm running alone or meeting up with friends or my running group, I am grateful for every chance I get to lace up my shoes and head out the door for a run. When I run first thing in the morning, that time is for me and it's something I treasure dearly.
Follow ROCÍO on IG: @thexicanaexplorer
+ About Shaniah:
Yá’át’ééh (Hello), my name is Shaniah Chee. I’m from Monument Valley, Utah, and I now live in Tucson, Arizona, with my husband and our one-year-old son. We’re both students at the University of Arizona, where I’m working toward my Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Being in this academic space has been both inspiring and eye-opening, especially as I see how issues like defunding and underrepresentation in higher education continue to affect our communities. Running has been a part of my life since seventh grade, and I feel blessed to still be out on the roads and trails, carrying that love for distance running with me.
+ What brought you to running?
What first brought me to running was seeing my mom’s state championship trophies and recognitions displayed at my high school. Since my community doesn’t have a middle school, I started attending high school in seventh grade, where I was surrounded by those state banners and awards. Watching my mom’s accomplishments, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps. Around the same time, I participated in my Diné coming-of-age ceremony, which involved running every morning and evening to build strength, endurance, and discipline. I’m grateful for that experience, as it shaped me into who I am today. Running has always connected me to my culture and my family, and it remains the sport I feel most grounded in and continue to carry with me.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
I chose to run the Every Woman’s Marathon as a tribute to both myself as a new mother and as a runner. I separate the two because, in the beginning, running was something I did just for myself. But now, as a mom, I see the beauty in running not only for me but also for my son. He has been with me every step of the way—from the time he was growing inside me, to those first moments outside the womb, and now as a little toddler running around. He has been part of every starting line in my journey as a mother who runs.
I want to stay active so I can always keep up with him. Shiyaazh, my little one, is the reason I keep going and my greatest inspiration. This is why I want to represent myself as a new mother—to show my friends, family, and other mothers who may be struggling to find themselves again that they can do it, too.
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
My husband—whom I say this about with the best intentions—is truly my number one cheerleader. He’s the one who encouraged me to get back into running, and I’m forever grateful to have such a loving and motivating partner by my side. He constantly reminds me why I fell in love with running in the first place.
+ Any mantras/affirmations you tell yourself?
T’áá Hwó Ajítéégo — “If it’s up to me, then it will be.” This Diné saying is one I hold close to my heart because it reminds me that without my own determination and drive, nothing can get done. It continues to be my affirmation: I can accomplish anything as long as I’m willing to put myself out there.
GOAL: $500
Follow SHANIAH on IG: @shaniahmorningstar
+ About Susie:
A mum to one kiddo, runner and coach/ yoga teacher. I love connecting with nature when I'm running and am very thankful to running for its grounding ability. As an advocate for Rising Hearts I plan to raise awareness of the Native Lands we live and run with as I prepare for the Every Woman's Marathon, and support the team as we reach towards our goals together.
+ What brought you to running?
Initially, it was school cross-country and the opportunity to race and to have fun with my teammates that brought me into running. Now, running is such a part of my life that it is almost a ritual that connects me with the wider world, my immediate surroundings, and my inner world too.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
It is great to see this event coming to Arizona and I was excited to see that Rising Hearts will be sending a team. I want to run to be a part of a unique event that caters to women, and to the running community.
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
A chance to move my body, breathe deeply and get outside.
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself?
Slow down and soak it in, be thankful.
GOAL: 500
Follow SUSIE on IG: @longrunergy
+ About Caroline:
I am a Hopi woman from Sipaulovi village. My clan is Patkiwungwa (water). Im a 51 year old mom to 4 daughters. I have been an early childhood educator for 23 years. I have completed over 20 marathons, a few ultra runs, and 4 Ironman triathlons.
I’ve been running since I was a kid. Running is part of our culture and it is something most kids do growing up. We walked around a lot as a youngster so running was a way to get to the destination faster! I’ve run competitively since junior high school, and over the years running has been a calming part of my life. It’s been a source of strength, prayer, and inspiration.
+ Why do you want to run the Every Woman's Marathon?
It’s a first time event for Arizona, and I’m sure many first time marathoners will be working towards their goal. It will be amazing to be a part of this as a runner and an encourager!
+ What gets you out the door to go run?
As I get older, I appreciate the hard things my body is able to do daily. I appreciate running with others and sharing the work of miles together.
+ Any mantras / affirmations you tell yourself?
Nahongvita (a source of strength).
You GET to run today!
Follow Caroline on IG: @__sekaquaptewa__
HELP SUPPORT:
Thanks to those who have donated! We will be sure to reach out to you so you can get your shirt and stickers! And if you plan to donate, with $100 donation, you’ll receive a Rising Hearts shirt and stickers!
We are calling for financial sponsor support and/or product support to celebrate this journey!
We are budgeting $800 (x1), $1,000 (x1), $600 (x1), and $1,800 (x2) for runners who don’t have financial support and are opening it up to community / brands / partners to step in!
Right now, we have 8 runners, support currently, thanks to Run Tri Bike, Deep Blue Sports Entertainment, Wopila Consulting, LLC, On, and Women’s Sports Foundation! We have some product support for some local runners, thanks to Sole Focus Runner - Friendly City in the Shenandoah Valley!
Interested in sponsoring a runner or all remaining runners? Email info@rising-hearts.org.