RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Chesterfield native Briana Easter Kirby will be one of the thousands of runners taking part in Saturday's Richmond Marathon. But her story is one of a kind.
Kirby, who lost her mother to cancer last year, decided to honor her mother's memory by running 12 half marathons in 12 months.
"The movement began with a vision of carrying my mother’s memory through 12 half marathons in 12 months to raise money for cancer research, to prove we are all capable of achieving extraordinary things even in desperate times," Kirby wrote on her blog stilleasierthanchemo.
The self-proclaimed "Half Marathoner & Cancer Hater" has already completed her 12 half marathon goal.
But before her journey, Kirby told CBS 6's Chelsea Rarrick that she was never really the athletic type before this.
"I actually hated running, I was not fond of it," she said.
That's all changed now that she's completed her goal of 12 half marathons.
"I just thought it would be a way to show people that you can achieve extraordinary things in desperate times," said Kirby.
Saturday's Richmond Marathon is her "victory lap." It will be her first time running a marathon. Friends said she's raised more than $25,000 for cancer research this year.
Click here to follow her on Twitter and watch her video below.
