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Lee University alumna Liz Ford represented her alma mater at this year’s Boston Marathon, which took place Monday, April 15.  

“I felt so proud to represent the school where my marathon journey began,” said Ford. “This was by far my favorite race, and I hope to go next year as I have qualified again.”  

Ford attended Lee University from 2002-2005 where she majored in health sciences with an emphasis in fitness wellness. She was a member of Lee’s cross-country team, where her love for running grew even more. In 2005, during her senior year, Dr. Paul Conn, who was president of Lee at the time, challenged the cross-country team to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which Ford and four of her teammates did. Conn sponsored all five girls to run in Boston in 2005 and quickly agreed to sponsor Ford again this time, 19 years later.  

Ford was able to run her goal time of 3 hours and 25 minutes on Monday, finishing 8309th out of 25,543 people, and among the women, 1879th out of 10,916. According to Ford, the streets were lined with signs, cowbells, and people screaming, “Go Lee!”  

“This adventure was a beautiful one as I was able to see full circle just how a dream that began when I was 15 years old, running a half mile at a time, turned into the biggest stage there is,” said Ford. “I tried to soak in every moment this year, since it was 19 years after my first run in Boston.” 

This was Ford’s third Boston Marathon and eighth overall marathon that she has run. “I have enjoyed running now for 26 years as it has given me an outlet for stress, physical fitness, and enjoyment, along with being able to use the talent God has given me to help others achieve their goals,” said Ford.  

Ford was born in Grinnell, Iowa, and currently resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she works as a personal trainer and running coach. She is married to Billy Ford, and they have three daughters, Jayden, Peyton, and Riley Grace.