Lawrence University Associate Professor of Geoscience Relena Ribbons won the women’s full marathon at the 2025 Community First Fox Cities Marathon with a winning time of 3:07:00.
Ribbons said she has always found great joy in running and the adventure of where a run might take her. She ran on the Wellesley cross country team in her first year of college and felt privileged to be surrounded by so many strong women runners, she said.
Ribbons trained for the marathon with friends, typically running about 60 miles a week, in addition to a healthy dose of cross-training.
Her goal for the Fox Cities Marathon was two-fold.
“Joy,” Ribbons said. “Joy in running through my regular stomping grounds, as well as joy in seeing the crowds of volunteers, spectators, and fellow runners on a glorious day. Another goal was that I wanted to high-five anyone along the course who was willing. Mission success on both counts!”
Seeing her friends along the way was a highlight.
“Margaret Koker and family offered high fives along the Fox River after the halfway mark, and she really inspired me to run strong because she is one of the strongest women I know.”
Ribbonʼs mental strategy for the marathon was gratitude.
“I am a mental health running advocate through Bigger Than The Trail,” Ribbons said. “And in that capacity, I’ve come to share stories with runners and learn from other amazing humans who have come through the other side of traumatic events in life. This hits home because I had years where I was unable to run after being struck by a drunk driver while out running, and after additional life events, I found the Bigger Than The Trail group, and it has helped me cultivate self-acceptance and grace, which are really useful for thinking about life broadly.”
The hard work and long miles of practice and training paid off when she crossed the finish line.
Relena Ribbons, winner of the 2025 Community First, Fox Cities, women's full marathon.
“Lucky me, I got to dance across the finish line to Dua Lipa, which is one of the artists whose high-energy vibes I will do treadmill mile repeats to in the depths of winter,” Ribbons said. “After finishing, I looked around for family and friends to share in the joy and just bounced around with happy energy like an Energizer Bunny! I felt like I was in my glittering prime!”
Ribbon is looking forward to the Glacial Trial in Greenbush, Wisconsin, for her next running challenge.
