Chasing 26.2 and Making History Along the Way
Celebrating SONH Athlete Amy Spotts
March 24, 2026
For Amy Spotts, this moment has been years in the making.
After 16 years as both an athlete and volunteer with Special Olympics New Hampshire, Amy has built more than just a list of accomplishments—she’s built a lifestyle rooted in health, determination, and community. Now, she’s on the brink of something extraordinary: completing her first full marathon on April 4, and in doing so, becoming Special Olympics New Hampshire’s first-ever female marathoner.
And if you ask Amy, this didn’t happen overnight.
A Journey That Started with a Dream
Amy’s path to the marathon began the way many great stories do—with a spark.
Watching marathons on TV while working out at the gym, and hearing about the experiences of her teammates from Millennium Running, planted a seed. But more than anything, it was something deeper.
“It’s been a dream of mine for a LONG time,” Amy shared.
Now, that dream is just miles away from becoming reality.
Finding Strength in the Process
Training for 26.2 miles is no small feat, and Amy has approached it with focus and consistency.
She follows her own training schedule, checks off her miles each week, tracks her progress with her fitness watch, and keeps up with strength training and weightlifting. Along the way, she’s also seen progress where it matters most—her body.
“My hip flexor is feeling BETTER than it was a couple years ago.”
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. New Hampshire winters had other plans.
“All that snow we got from December–March made it hard to run outside,” she said. “I can’t WAIT for spring to get here so that I can get outside to do my miles.”
Still, Amy kept going—mile by mile, week by week.
The Moment She’s Been Waiting For
When race day arrives, there’s one moment Amy is holding onto.
Hearing her name announced as she crosses the finish line:
“Special Olympics New Hampshire’s FIRST EVER FEMALE MARATHONER.”
It’s more than a title. It’s the culmination of years of effort, patience, and belief.
“Being SONH’s first ever female marathoner and long distance runner means SO much to me. It’s a goal that I’ve been chasing ever since I joined SONH back in 2010.”
More Than One Finish Line
As incredible as this milestone is, Amy’s journey doesn’t stop there.
This June, she’ll represent Special Olympics New Hampshire on a national stage as a Final Leg runner at the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis—alongside Bedford Police Officer Haylie Gulino.
“I was ECSTATIC and OVERJOYED when I found out,” Amy said. “No words to describe it!”
It’s a full-circle moment for an athlete who has given so much to the movement—and continues to inspire others every step of the way.
Running with Purpose
Amy competes in the sprint triathlon and bowling, but it’s the final stretch of the triathlon that she loves most—the 5K run into Wildcat Stadium at UNH, surrounded by cheers.
That same energy fuels her marathon journey.
Her motivation comes from her faith, her determination, and the people around her.
“My faith and trust in God and the fact that there are SO many people out there who want to see me do a marathon… is what keeps me going.”
And when the training gets tough?
She presses play.
Her go-to song: “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham.
Breaking Barriers—and Inviting Others In
Amy knows what it means to try something new, to push past limits, and to chase something that once felt out of reach.
Her message to others thinking about doing the same is simple and powerful:
“GO FOR IT!! Work hard, have fun and I’ll be right there cheering you on the whole way.”
A Journey Fueled by Gratitude
Through every mile, every challenge, and every breakthrough, Amy keeps one thing at the center of it all: gratitude.
“It’s been a fun one! I’ve enjoyed it and I’m grateful to God for all the people who have been cheering me on the entire way.”
And somewhere along the way, she conquered something else, too:
Her “HATRED of hill running.”
Which might just be one of the most impressive victories of all. 😉
