SOAR Women: The Extra Mile
The Extra Mile is your chance to celebrate and reward a female runner who’s completed an outstanding run whilst wearing a SOAR Women’s Race Vest. Each month SOAR Running will award one female runner and the person that nominates them, a £150 SOAR Gift Voucher, for a performance that knocks our socks off.
The Extra Mile Winner June '23: Sarah Funderburk
Congratulations to Sarah Funderburk, the winner of SOAR Women’s ‘The Extra Mile’ for June. Sarah was nominated by fellow runner Janine Makaronidis after she put her SOAR vest through its paces in a tenacious run at the Backyard Ultra (a form of ultramarathon race where competitors must consecutively run a loop once of 4.167 mile in less than one hour ending when only one runner remains to complete a lap). Sarah and Janine both win a £150 SOAR gift voucher.
“I am nominating the amazing Sarah Funderburk who didn’t just run one, but 116.7 extra miles. Six weeks after winning the 12 hours Crawley track race running 3 consecutive marathons overnight while most of us where in bed, she didn’t stop there.
The long-term ultra-marathon enthusiast and USA 2021 top 10 runner over 12h hasn’t always had race luck on her side. Despite injuries and COVID getting in the way of her 2022 race ambitions she never gave up and kept fighting.
On June 2nd at the Suffolk Backyard Ultra, her first attempt at running over 12h, Sarah broke the 24h and 100 mile barriers, on a troublemaker of a foot and a recently uncooperative knee and ran 116.7 miles over 28 hours. Her SOAR vest may never be clean again, but she keeps inspiring multiple women (and men) do the same: be strong, fierce and never give up!”
– Janine Makaronidis
The Extra Mile Winner May '23: Fade Solanke-Mitterer
Congratulations to Fade Solanke-Mitterer, our inaugural winner of SOAR Womens ‘The Extra Mile’ for May. Fade was nominated by James de Vivenot for her commitment and perseverance to training despite less than perfect conditions in the build up to her first marathon. Fade and James both win a £150 SOAR gift voucher.
"I would like to nominate Fade Solanke-Mitterer for the Soar Extra Mile. Fade has been an enthusiastic member of Soar training programmes over the years, feeling welcome and supported despite being amongst the slowest runners in the group, showing that Soar is a diverse community for runners of all abilities.
This year Fade completed the Manchester marathon overcoming many challenges, including suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), being a mum to 2 young children and working in a demanding job in a city law firm. Fade’s performance against all the odds was described by her coach Matt Yates as one of the best achievements of his coaching career."
– James de Vivenot
To nominate your SOAR Woman, please email theextramile@soarrunning.com with a photograph of the runner wearing their SOAR vest during their run, and a description of no more than 150 words outlining why you think they should receive The Extra Mile award.
Winners will be contacted at the beginning of each month and featured on our website and social channels.
Terms & Conditions:
- Open to participants aged 18+.
- The winner will be chosen by the SOAR Running team.
- The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be offered.
- Winners agree to the use of their name and image in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current [UK] data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.