Stephanie Rouse
Women's Marathon
Qualifying Time: 2:36:22
Qualifying Race: 2023 California International Marathon
Date of Birth
12/30/89
Age on Race Day
34
Current Residence
Boston, MA
Hometown
Colorado Springs, CO
Current Affiliation
Impala Racing Team
Profession
PhD student in an auditory neuroscience program at Harvard-MIT
Marathon PB
2:36:21
First Trials qualification
No
Previous Trials
2020
College(s)
Grinnell College
Career Highlights
2-time NCAA Cross Country Championships individual qualifier
Interesting Story
My close friend died in a pole vaulting accident in college. It’s the only period of time in which I had no interest in running whatsoever. The pain of his loss was too great. I gave up running after his death and it took almost a year before I could return to the track. I also lost a dear friend and teammate to ovarian cancer. She taught me to cooldown shoeless, to “outrun the bear” in the final miles of every race and to live fearlessly. I take them with me on my runs these days. They gives me strength and motivation in the uncertain times.
Favorite Song
E-40 is in heavy rotation these days
Favorite Post-race Indulgence
A celebratory waffle as a brunch appetizer, split amongst teammates and friends
Favorite Breakfast
Perfect Bars
Favorite Running Memory
There’s no feeling in the world like executing an intimidating workout, in a pack of women, under the lights of Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. I have been fortunate to be part of an all-women’s running team where every Tuesday night, for a brief moment, we suspend the demands of our daily lives and we fly. It is freedom and it is strength and it is passion incarnate, and I feel so fortunate to have experienced it.
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