Dana Collins is on her way back to the United States after a successful run at the Tokyo Marathon! She was one of the charity runners for Special Olympics Nippon.
Dana began running marathons in 2019, kicking off with the New York City Marathon. Running has become her way to manage stress and push through challenges.
“There’s something powerful about setting a big goal, working toward it every day, and crossing the finish line knowing you accomplished something that was hard.”
Tokyo is her 5th World Major Marathon! Her goal is to complete the original Six World Marathon Majors (NYC, Chicago, Berlin, London, Tokyo, and Boston).
When she saw the opportunity to apply to be a charity runner, she felt it was meant to be. Dana has volunteered with Special Olympics Maryland since 2006. You might recognize her from several events here in South Dakota, as well.
“It’s inspiring to see how widespread Special Olympics is globally and how much impact it has around the world for all Athletes involved.”
She says it’s an honor to run and volunteer her time for something bigger than herself.
Here’s some words of advice she’d like to give to Special Olympics South Dakota athletes:
“You never know where life will lead based on the choices you make. If something gives you a spark of joy — like marathon running did for me — hold onto it, chase it, and watch it grow! When you find joy in what you love, it can lead you to incredible places and unforgettable adventures.”
Next time you see Dana, be sure to ask her about the Tokyo Marathon and give her encouragement as she continues her quest to complete the Six World Marathon Majors!
