Sioux Falls native comes home to run marathon

Runners like Alex Osborne travel to Sioux Falls from across the country to participate in the Sioux Falls Marathon, Half Marathon and Miracle 5K and support Sanford Children’s Miracle Network.

For Alex Osborne, running is about more than fitness. She runs to make a difference. 

Osborne, a Sioux Falls native, is coming home to participate in the Sioux Falls Marathon on Sept. 10. While Osborne is an avid runner, having run four miles the same day she gave birth to her second child, the race will only be her second marathon.

“This is my hometown, and it’s going to be so cool to be running through all these things I grew up around,” said Osborne, who currently resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

She also has a personal connection to Sanford Health and is proud to be supporting Children’s Miracle Network. Osborne was born at Sioux Valley Hospital and grew up just down the street from the medical center.

Then about seven years ago, Osborne’s father went into cardiac arrest while at work. He flatlined once on the way to the hospital and again while in surgery, and was given a 5 percent chance of survival.

Expert caregivers at Sanford Health saved her dad’s life. Today, he is doing well and continues to receive heart care at Sanford.

Osborne wants to give back in whatever way she can in honor of her father’s journey.

Last year’s race raised more than $23,500 with 2,804 registrations for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Miracle 5K.

“One person can only do so much,” Osborne said, “but when you have hundreds of people who want to come out and support a cause — that is humanity at its absolute best.”

There is still time for you to join Osborne at the marathon and support local kids. Register today!

Sanford Children’s Hospital joined Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in 1986, making it the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in eastern South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and northern Nebraska. 100% of funds raised here stay here to care for kids and their families.