by Mollie Larson for the Burns Times-Herald

My name is Mollie Larson I represented Harney County for the princess half marathon 2023 at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

After my first race at Disney World I was contacted by runDisney asking for an interview. I declined that interview due to the fact I wanted to focus on my races but I let them know I would be back for another race and give them an interview then.

After my princess half marathon at Disney World, I took two weeks off from running to figure out which race I would be participating in to represent Harney County once again. The only race that’s left for me to accomplish was the full marathon That’s one race that’s really hard to finish but I’m up for the challenge. 

What’s a full marathon? A full marathon is running 26.2, miles in seven hours. To accomplish this, you have to maintain a pace of 16 minutes per mile. Just like the princess half marathon, they also have those wonderful balloon ladies who make sure you maintain that 16 minutes per mile pace, if you can’t maintain that pace your race is finished and they whisk you away from the course. 

In early 2024, registration opened up for the full marathon. I was so nervous I was afraid I wasn’t going to get a spot. Since runDisney only has so many spots, not everyone who applies gets a spot. When I received my email congratulating me On getting a spot I was so excited. I knew I was given another opportunity to show the world that people with disabilities can do great things. I love being given the opportunity to prove to everyone that our disabilities don’t hold us back.

My husband, Stan and I knew training for a marathon would come with a lot of sacrifices. A lot of training and a lot of discipline, but I knew I was ready to make a lot of sacrifices just to show the world I can do anything, we all can do anything when we believe in ourselves and work hard for what we want.

It’s crazy to believe how fast the months have gone by it feels just like yesterday I started to train for my full marathon now I’m two months away from leaving for the full marathon in Orlando and we couldn’t be more excited, yet very nervous.

I’m ready to represent Harney County. I’m ready to be interviewed by runDisney and to be able to tell them all about our great community we live in.

I’m ready to show the world once again what this small town girl can do! I will give it everything I have to cross that finish line no matter what it takes I will complete this marathon.

We want to Thank the community for all your support and for all your bottle and can donations as well as other donations we have received.  We have greatly appreciated them we couldn’t do this without the communities support.

I want to thank my husband, Stan, for all his love and support and for being one of my inspirations. Thank you Tammy Attleberger for being my hero and inspiring me to never give up.

See you guys when we get back. We’ll be bringing back a runDisney marathon medal.