Ultramarathon is not a typical sport. It’s pretty rare to want to run more than 26.2 miles in a running event. But the running community is very much a family, where people at least know OF each other even if they don’t KNOW each other.

One spring, Sydney had a goal of running a 50k (31 miles). The training involved many back to back long runs on weekends. She decided to map a 24 mile route through Kansas City that stopped at several Parade of Hearts sites to make it interesting.

She posted on social media, inviting friends to join in the run to see the hearts. Her Facebook friend Eric, whom she hadn’t spoken to before, said “that looks like a fun route!”

On the day of the run, several people (including Eric) attended to run a few miles with the group. One by one, people turned back to run to the start because they’d gotten their miles. Sydney turned to Eric and said, “I understand if you need to turn back, not everyone has 24 miles to run today.” Eric simply said “Nah, I’m good.”

They ended up running all 24 miles together, talking and laughing. They saw dogs, they stopped at QT for snacks, they saw the hearts. They decided to keep talking, which led to more dates, more runs. Ultramarathons together. Adult proms. Hash House Harriers trails. Volunteer gigs.

They never stop laughing and taking in all of life’s joys. And they never stop chasing crazy dreams. Finding each other was the best dream.

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