Alyson Snyder is an undergrad PETE major, minoring in music performance. She has served active duty in the military for four and a half years.
Snyder serves in the WV Army National Guard with the 249th Army Band and was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. Upon her promotion, her unit put her in charge of physical training. Snyder began competing in Army ten mile races three years ago to stay in shape and challenge herself.
Snyder recently completed the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C.
“The Marine Corps Marathon was different, though it meant a lot more to me because I decided to run for my professor who passed away last year,” Snyder explained.
Training for the marathon was difficult and there were times she wanted to give up but she remembered how motivating her professor was, and she persevered. Balancing the military, school and running is sometimes difficult for Snyder, but she says it is all worth it in the end.
To fundraise for the race, she chose to work with Team Fisher House. Within her first year, she was recognized as one of the top 50 fundraisers. Those results motivated her to work even harder the next year. She made bracelets to sell and asked local businesses for donations. She was the number one fundraiser that year.