Sandy Powell
Events:  Ultramarathons
Height:  5'7"
Weight:  120
Born: 06/10/57 in Lexington, VA
Current Residence: Greenville, VA
College:  James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA BS and MS degrees – 1979/1984
Profession: Teacher
Sponsor: PowerBar and Saucony

PRs

  • 40 miles plus – 5 hours 55 minutes - Strolling Jim, TN
  • 50 Miles – 7 hours 16 minutes - Lake Wacamawa , NC
  • 100 Miles – 17 hours and 34 minutes (within a 24 hour run)
  • 12 hours – 72 miles - San Mateo, CA
  • 24 hours – 133.22 miles - Austria

Career Highlights

  • Placing 6th in the World 24 hour Championships in Austria, and leading the American Team to a bronze medal with an individual record of 133.22 miles.
  • Being part of the American Women's Team in Czech Republic that won a Team bronze medal in the World 24 Hour Championship.
  • Winning three silver medals in the USATF 24 Hour Championship Race in the 24 Hour Run in Olander Park, Ohio.
  • Setting a course record at the Houston Ultra Distance Weekend Events – 2005, in the 24 Hour Race with 129.31 miles.
  • Winning the Masters title in the AUA 100k Road Championship – Women's Master's Champion - 2004.
  • Placing first in sub-6 hours in very first ultra race, the Strolling Jim 40 Mile in Wartrace, TN. 
  • Consistently ranked in the top five US/CANADA in the 24 Hour Run.
  • In 1998, was the lone American to represent the USA in the first ever WMA Master's 100 km World Championship in the Netherlands.

Biography

Sandy began running in high school where she was the first girl to letter in a boy's sport (Cross Country) in Augusta County in athletics. She went on to run track at JMU and was one of two women to be the first to represent James Madison at the Women's Collegiate National Cross County Championship in Wisconsin in 1978. Sandy ran over 20 marathons, including Boston, and then decided to start running ultras for more physical and mental challenges. She has been running ultras for nine years.

Sandy has been teaching school for 26 years. She taught all grade levels from elementary to high school and coached for eight years. Sandy was named Teacher of the Year for her county, was inducted in her high school's Hall of Fame and was also honored to be the graduation speaker at her alma mater. After 31 years, her high school mile record still stands. Sandy is active in the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes, President of her community Ruritan Club, and is very active at the AMC Wellness Center were she teaches spin classes. She is also involved in various other school/community organizations.

In their own words...

Running achievement I am most proud of: Winning my very first ultra race and having been able to qualify for (and compete in) all four USA 24 hour Teams that have represented the USA in the World 24 hour championships.

Why I run: I love the sport of running and enjoy the friends that I have made over the years racing all over the world. I also stay physically fit and that is an example/role model for the students that I teach each day.

Future Goals: To stay healthy and be able to continue to run and compete in Ultra races.

Favorite quote: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

8/06