by George Banker
After talking with Sarah Morrison, Angela Duckworth’s lines from the book “GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” reminded me: “Talent is how quickly your skills improve when you invest effort. Achievement is what happens when you take your acquired skills and use them.”
In retrospect, Sarah shares the journey from high school track to the JFK 50 Mile. There are three words that can define Sarah as it relates to being an athlete. The words are: consistent, insistent, and persistent.
According to AI persistence can play into an athlete’s performance: “Athletes can manage setbacks and maintain persistence by developing mental flexibility (adapting to challenges) and employing practical strategies, such as setting process-oriented goals, seeking support, and focusing on growth.”
Sarah states: “My journey into running started in high school in Chambersburg, PA. I was an avid soccer player and, like many young girls growing up in the late 90s/early 2000s, I aspired to become the next Mia Hamm or Brandy Chastain. However, after two years of running cross country for my high school, I had been influenced by a former teammate and good friend Kylee Van Horn and had the privilege of running under the coaching of Chris Monheim, both of which made the decision to skip out on soccer and run full-time a little easier.”
Sarah was a standout at Chambersburg. In 2006 there was a record-setting performance of 5:05.37 for the mile. At 1600 meters, she has the third fastest time with a 4:56:18 (2007). There were other notable performances.
“I had several very successful years of running for Chambersburg High School, and Coach Monheim allowed for my growth and development early on,” says Sarah.
Coach Monheim states: “Sarah showed promise and great potential very early on and had unbelievable range. She could give us a 60-second 400 leg on the mile relay, and she was a multi-state medalist in XC. My two favorite highlights would have to be her indoor and outdoor state titles in the mile and 1600. She broke 5:00 a few times in her high school career, and this was when that feat wasn’t happening all that often. She won the state indoor title at Penn State and went 4:54. I’m not surprised at the success she is having, but it is amazing to look back on her high school and college career as a middle-distance specialist and to now see her performing as an elite ultra runner.”
Sarah: “I was recruited by Villanova University and Coach Gina Procaccio, where I had an incredible team – our incoming class had major impacts on the Villanova record books. Personally, my collegiate career had its ups and downs, but I was lucky to have a few standout races in the steeplechase as well as being a part of a two-time NCAA championship cross-country team. Unfortunately, I hit a bit of burnout by the end of my senior year and took some time off from running, but it didn’t take long for the desire to get back on the roads to return.”
Coach Procaccio comments on the performance of Sarah while attending Villanova. “Sarah was a great athlete to work with. She was extremely coachable and a big reason we won Big East and national championships during her years at Villanova. In her first conference meet as a steeplechaser, Sarah won in a school record time despite falling to the ground over the last hurdle 50 meters from the finish. A very tough competitor with great leadership skills, Sarah was an inspiration to her teammates. Sarah is a wonderful person, and it was an honor to have her on my team.”
Sarah: “I ran mostly for fun over the next couple of years, dabbling in some half marathons and marathons, but my focus became school again as I went back to study podiatry at Temple University. The biomechanics and running-related foot and ankle injuries obviously clicked in my brain, but I also thoroughly enjoy the ability to help people daily. I work with a great group of doctors in a busy practice, PACE Foot and Ankle Center in Bryn Mawr, affiliated with Main Line Health. I always enjoy talking about running with patients but am happy to make sure people are healthy and safe to treat and avoid injury. In some regards, it feels as though I’m giving back to the running community, which has given me so much over the years.”
Sarah regarding the JFK 50 Miler: “My first experience with JFK was in high school, where I volunteered with the Cumberland Valley Athletic Club, a group of high school girls handing out pizza to seemingly crazy runners in the high school gymnasium post-race.
“My first attempt at running the distance was in 2023 (6:58:46, 6th place) for “completion points.” I had had an emotionally draining summer with the unexpected loss of my dog, the passing of my dad, and some other rough spots in my personal life. Running was a way to ground myself and provide an outlet for grief. One foot in front of the other was something I knew how to do, and the idea of conquering a new distance without the stress of a time goal provided a sense of hope. That race ended up being another steppingstone in my running career and really started my love for the ultramarathon distance.
“Fast forward to 2025 (6:21:45, 4th place), I wanted to return to JFK with bigger aspirations after testing the waters in several 50K races. Over the summer and fall training, my goal was to run around the six-and-a-half-hour mark. After the remarkable races in 2024, I wasn’t sure exactly what place that time would allow for, but I knew I could run a significant PR. The road and C&O Canal segments are most certainly my strong suit. The Appalachian Trail would test my legs, as there aren’t many true trails in the Philadelphia area to train on. I had settled in around the fourth through sixth female position heading into the trail and had a couple of guys to lean on throughout at least half of the segment. Coming down the switchback at the Weverton checkpoint, I was fourth female and maintained that for the rest of the race.
“Setting out onto the canal, my legs were feeling like bricks, and I had a hard time settling into a comfortable pace. I had coach Chris Monheim and the Chambersburg cross country/track and field teams at their volunteer station around mile 25, which was super helpful and encouraging. They gave me a little boost and motivation, as Coach Monheim always reminds me of the fun I had with running. A short trip down memory lane for a few miles was just what I needed!
“My race crew was one of my longest and best friend, Hunter Proctor, and having him at each exchange was a blessing – he always had the right words to say, all the essentials at the ready, and definitely would not let me wallow in my sorrows. With each mile, I tried to remember all the training runs with Philadelphia friends as well as friends and family who sent encouragement and have always been a part of my cheer squad. I’ve always considered running to be a team sport – although the act is very individual, I would not be where I am without the support of so many people. My family, running and non-running friends, coworkers…I carry the thought and memories of others with me during races, which always helps get me through the tough spots!
“Hitting the roads for the last few miles, I was not sure if any other women were closing in on me or if I was closing on anyone in front of me…regardless I don’t think I could have run any faster; it was all I could do to keep the legs moving up and down the back country roads. On that final straightaway, I had such a sense of relief, gratitude, and joy…I had run above and beyond what I thought I could do, making all the training and sacrifices worthwhile. My dream of being competitive in the US women’s ultramarathon world seemed to come true and lit another fire to explore how much faster I can be.”
Sarah’s performance has placed her in the top 50 best performances. If you ever stand at the finish line and hear race director Mike Spinnler talk as the females approach the line, there is excitement. The times achieved over the years are impressive. No one can predict what the future will bring. What drives the increase in female performance?
Camille Herron, the 2020 winner (6:31:14–19th on the top performance list through 2024) shares some thoughts.
“It’s a race I look back on very fondly. The mix of surfaces, community support, and the history of the JFK50 makes it one of my favorites. It’s been inspiring to see how much women’s performances have elevated in recent years. I think this is largely due to increased depth and competition — iron sharpens iron! Many athletes now use carbon-plated shoes on the towpath or for the entire race. Weather conditions at JFK have also been stable in recent years.
“For much of my career, I was often out front on my own, but I’ve always thrived with competition. When I’ve had it, it’s pushed me to perform at an even higher level—the 2023 Spartathlon is a good example. I think more women are stepping up now and bringing out the best in each other.
“I think I underperformed at the 2020 JFK 50. I went slightly off course, had to stop for a train for a few minutes before the towpath, and was dealing with some hamstring and back issues. I’m in a much better place physically now.
“I turned 44 on December 25 and am focused on making the most of my speed and fitness while I still have it. JFK is a course I feel I could run better on if I return while I still have my speed!”
On the professional side, Dr. Sarah Morrison, DPM, is a graduate of Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and completed her 3-year surgical residency with Bryn Mawr Hospital within the Main Line Health system. Throughout her 3 years as a resident, Dr. Morrison gained valuable experience in lower extremity reconstructive surgery, foot and ankle trauma, pediatric surgery, diabetic limb salvage, wound care, and both forefoot and rearfoot elective surgeries.
Sarah will continue to be a moving force within her professional life and within the sport.
Categories: Athlete Profiles
Runner's Gazette 
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