Sarah Crouch (formerly Sarah Porter) made her marathon debut as a 22-year-old at the 2011 New York City Marathon, where she finished 22nd overall and sixth American. After finding success in several U.S.
Road Running Championships, including finishing third American in 54:15 at the Cherry Blossom U.S. 10 Mile Championships, Crouch returned to the marathon distance and finished seventh at the 2014 Chicago Marathon. Crouch says, “In 2014, I set a 12-minute personal best at the Chicago Marathon, running 2:32:44. That day, I realized the marathon is the event where I will see my greatest success. I hope for a similar breakthrough performance at the Boston Marathon.” She returned to Chicago again last year and finished 12th in 2:32:51, and earlier in the year won the Tallahassee Marathon.

Crouch grew up in Hockinson, Washington, and went to Western Washington University. In college, she was a 13-time All American and 2011 Division II National Champion in the 10,000m. Crouch trains with ZAP Fitness-Reebok and trains in Florida and North Carolina. She is a running coach and says she enjoys sharing her passion for the sport with beginners and advanced runners alike. Married to husband Michael, Crouch has also spent time teaching Sunday school and mentoring “at risk” youth in her community.

“The glory of a podium fades. Winners are forgotten. Olive wreaths wither and die, but the personal triumph of crossing the finish line lives on in the heart of the runner. No matter what the day holds, I know this to be true of crossing the finish line on Boylston Street: It will be emotional. It will be painful. It will be glorious.”