Amica Press Releases

11.29.09

Inspirational Finish

Andrea Sanders doesn't let breast cancer diagnosis deter her from her dream of running a marathon

SEATTLE – Andrea Sanders of New Castle, WA, was looking forward to running her first marathon - the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon - this weekend. But about a month ago, she had to cut her training short when she was told she had breast cancer.

Her doctors wanted to schedule her for surgery as soon as possible, dashing her dreams of competing in the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon.

But by then, she'd already completed 14 weeks of her 18-week training schedule and she wasn't going to let that training go to waste. She wanted to prove she was up to the challenges that lie ahead.

So, with the support of her husband, Brian, and the rest of her family, she decided to run her own marathon - the Sanders Marathon - on Nov. 14, just two days before her 40th birthday.

Andrea finished her marathon in 4:05. Her family was waiting at the end of the route, holding a pink ribbon at the finish line as she crossed.

Andrea was thrilled with her accomplishment. "I ran a marathon," she said. "I won my age group and set my personal record." Of course, she added, "I was the one racing and it was my first marathon, so those are not quite the feats they seem to be."

Still, she did it. "Turns out all that training time, sore muscles and sweat weren't for nothing after all," she said. And, she added, "I hope that my story gives hope to other women who are diagnosed with breast cancer."

Though Andrea wasn't able to run the marathon Sunday, she was still able to take part in the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon after all. She rode in the marathon's pace car and was presented a finisher's medal at the end.