When most people hear “2,000 miles,” they think road trips, flight itineraries, or packed suitcases. But for ultrarunner and ultra-passionate Girls on the Run supporter Suzan Brydon, it meant something entirely different: an opportunity to create meaningful change.
An experienced endurance athlete, Suzan has completed races ranging from 50Ks to 200 miles and overcome extreme conditions, such as heat, sleeplessness, and mental fatigue. This April, she set out on her most ambitious challenge yet: running the 2,000-mile Midwest section of the American Discovery Trail (ADT) in 12 weeks. The inspiration behind her latest and boldest journey to date (averaging 23 miles a day) was more than setting a personal distance record. She was on a mission to use her unique skills—running, public speaking, academic background, and public health expertise—to support Girls on the Run, foster community-building, and deliver actionable behavioral health insights. Suzan’s journey was made possible through a Community Ambassador Fellowship program through her employer, The Cigna Group.
Suzan’s expedition took her through six Girls on the Run councils—Kentuckiana, Southern Indiana, St. Louis, Greater Kansas City, Heart of Kansas, and the Rockies. Across her journey, she:
- Inspired conversations around nature, exercise, goal setting, and perseverance
- Raised funds for GOTR program fee financial assistance and ADT trail maintenance
- Distributed 8-week GOTR@Home packets in rural areas not currently served by Girls on the Run
- Gathered research insights to help shape future community programming development
“Running has given me the strength to overcome challenges and push beyond what I once thought was possible. I wanted to use this journey to show others, especially young girls, that they are capable of more than they ever imagined,” said Brydon, managing director of PBM operations for Express Scripts, part of The Cigna Group. “By partnering with Girls on the Run, I hoped to set a positive example, recruit volunteer coaches and participants, raise funds to expand this life-changing program to communities where girls need it most, and connect people to the available green space in their communities.”
On the trail: Learn more about Suzan’s journey in this blog and at brydonrunning.net!
On April 26, Suzan kicked off her 12-week trek in the Cincinnati, OH area with her family cheering her on as she took her first steps.
“Best family ever coming to send me off at the trailhead!”
Early in her journey, she traveled through rural landscapes and historic towns while connecting with communities and Girls on the Run councils.
Image 1: “Thank you, Heather and Terri, for the warm welcome!” | Image 2: “Selfie by the lake”
Within the first two weeks, she made it through Indiana and entered Illinois, feeling strong despite early-season heat and unexpected trail pivots. Her speaking engagements grew alongside her mileage, including presentations at Express Scripts and World Wide Technology in St. Louis.
Image 1: “Thanks, WWT, for the warm welcome for me and Courtney at GOTR!” | Image 2: “We rejoined the ADT in the Forest Park area, then headed through Clayton, slight detour through Olivette and Creve Coeur, and finally into Creve Coeur Lake…the place I used to train for my earliest half marathons!”
Throughout it all, she’s documented reflections on the terrain, wildlife, and emotional ups and downs, mirroring the resilience GOTR helps girls build every season.
“Leaning into discomfort is a crucial tool to activate your limitless potential,” the Girls on the Run supporter said. “The brain loves comfort and routine, so it’s quick to tell you that something is too hard. But, if you stop blindly believing those arbitrarily imposed limits, you’ll be surprised at what you’re truly capable of.”
Image 1: Suzan remaining resilient even in the midst of heat, a hefty chunk of complete impassable vegetation, and downed trees. | Image 2: “Friends are out on the trail (American Discovery Trail.” | Image 3: “On and in and around and through the Katy Trail.”
By Day 41, Suzan had conquered Missouri’s Katy and Rock Island Trails and visited the Osage City Cross Country team to offer encouragement and inspiration.
“One team member asked me what the most beautiful thing was that I’d seen on the trail. I said it was the multiple times people I’d never met went out of their way to offer me snacks, water, or assistance. Seeing people caring for each other: that’s a beautiful thing.”
“Great chat with the Osage City Cross Country Team!”
Image 1: “Old windmills then new windmills as we worked our way from outside Herington toward McPherson, KS.” | Image 2: “Dodging lightning to log some miles, making for a short Day 53 on the American Discovery Trail.” | Image 3: “The lovely Cheyenne Bottoms Refuge Wetlands”
After returning to the ADT, she faced sunshine, traffic, flooding, detours, and wildlife surprises. She pushed through wetlands near Great Bend and into Kansas, braving wind gusts up to 40 mph for four straight days.
On July 1, Suzan crossed into Colorado and after facing thousands of feet of ascent and descent, made her way to the finish line on July 18, raising awareness for Girls on the Run every step of the way.
“End of the line…for now! Day 84 on the American Discovery Trail Central Southern Route was the LAST DAY of my 2025 adventure! These last 15 miles took me from Chatfield Lake into Littleton.”
Fueled by a passion for mentoring, improving rural health, and chasing big audacious goals, Suzan’s journey has blended endurance with empowerment. By taking us on her journey and sharing her heart, Suzan showed that the greatest trails don’t just lead to destinations, they bring people together.
Thank you, Suzan, for being such a remarkable role model and advocate for GOTR girls and communities everywhere—our mission is stronger because of a Girls on the Run supporter like you!
Other highlights from Suzan’s adventure: Image 1: “Window Rock along the beautiful Shelf Road on my way to Cripple Creek.” | Image 2: Suzan being participating in a TV interview about her journey. | Image 3: “Relatively large ADT sign! Day 81 was a quiet day strolling through the front range of the mountains between Monument and Larkspur.”
Learn more about each step of Suzan’s journey on her website where she shared daily updates or by following her on Instagram or Facebook. To become a Girls on the Run supporter like Suzan, visit our Support Us page or Get Involved page!
