Sonya Goins isn’t a runner by nature. She didn’t even start competing in the sport until 2010. But now, the mother of three and TV journalist is an inspiration to many because she is tackling the sport while also tackling not one but two life-threatening diseases.

Goins was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease while in college in 1985. In 2018, she had inflammation in her colon which required using an IV for her nutrients as she could no longer eat solid foods. In January 2020, she had her colon removed. Seven months later, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.

None of that has stopped Goins from running. In fact, it is almost because of her chronic condition that she decided to run – and to keep running. Goins runs to show that she will not let Crohn’s disease or cancer define her.

So far, Goins has participated in 12 half marathons – including two, New Orleans and Las Vegas, while being fed via IV nutrition. She walked all 13.1 miles of the New Orleans Half Marathon despite fatigue, pain and a recent foot surgery. Accompanying her was her catheter, which she appropriately named “Hopeful”.  

Goins has also participated in a handful of Medtronic TC 10 Mile races, including the 2019 race where her only nutrition came from an IV. Goins is currently undergoing chemotherapy and treatment for her breast cancer diagnosis, but she continues to run for fun, and plans to race again in 2022.

Goins sometimes runs her marathons in a singlet that says “Sonya Strong” to remind herself that she runs because she can, and she keeps running because she is in charge of her life – not the disease.