Staff Person Runs for Her Life!

SAN FRANCISCO - August 25, 2004 — Gamontip Prayoontong, R&TA program assistant, ran 26.2 miles in the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon on August 1, 2004.

Gamontip's co-worker inspired her to sign up for this marathon after she discovered that he used to run in high school. She encouraged three of her co-workers to sign up for the marathon but Gamontip was the only A&PI Wellness Center staff person who actually ran and crossed the finish line!

"I got a little nervous about running this race because the last marathon I ran was 12 years ago. My boyfriend said to me 'I don't think you can run this marathon. You are 38. You are not young any more.' That was it. I was determined I was going to finish this marathon. I started training on March 1. I finished in 5 hours 53 minutes. I hit the wall at mile 23 and walked for about half a mile and I ran to the finish line - pain free. I went to a birthday party afterwards," said Gamontip, a native of Thailand.

Gamontip's next projects include Big Sur Half Marathon (Oct. 17th), Nike Marathon (Oct. 24) and Stinson Beach 25K (November 6). She's hoping to run four marathons next year, including Big Sur International Marathon in April.

We salute Gamontip for her amazing accomplishment.

---