An Epic Heart Hero is a woman who has come back from a heart issue, has taken control of her health, and refuses to let her heart condition stop her. She approaches life with passion and strength, as she knows too well how short life can be. She embraces a healthful lifestyle, knows the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and takes action to minimize that risk. She helps educate others about these risk factors so that they too can take control of their heart health.

Our Heart Heroes will serve as a spokespeople for the American Heart Association and the American Home Fitness Detroit Women’s Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, represent the Epic Heart Heroes at the Women Run the D Expotique on race weekend and participate in the races on race day.

Meet the 2020 Epic Heart Heroes

Tracey Koblarz

While driving home from work on August 14th, 2018, my heart stopped beating and I crashed into 2 telephone polls. By all accounts I had no vitals at all for almost 30 minutes. I experienced a severe V-Fib attack and was not expected to live through the night. — Read her whole story

Lisa Cardillo

My husband Dominic and I planned a fun getaway in Grand Rapids, MI, to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Dominic had recently completed treatment for brain cancer, so we booked a stay at a bed & breakfast, bought tickets to see one of our favorite bands, and planned to visit breweries along the Lake Michigan coastline. Shortly after we arrived, I felt a burning sensation in my chest and a hot pain sear through to my back. I immediately knew something was wrong and that I needed help. — Read her whole story

Kaylee Smith

I was 14 years old when my primary care physician first detected a weak heart murmur and ordered a heart echo. I was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD).  It was small and my heart murmur was barely noticeable. The doctors decided to monitor the situation rather than perform surgery.  At 18, it was recommended I have the defect repaired, partially, because I had developed breathing issues especially while running. — Read her whole story

Diane Nylander

“I work out regularly to stay in shape for snowboarding and adventure trips with my brother and sister.  We take a trip together every year – usually climbing mountains. A few months after we completed a backpacking trip on Isle Royale National Park in 2006, I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.” — Read her whole story

Shop for exclusive gear and rep the race before or after you toe the line! We’ve got super-cute hoodies and more in the American Home Fitness Women Run the D store.

In addition to our three distances, Women Run the D features two special family-awards divisions:

Mother/Daughter
Three Generations of Women

Spend a memorable day on Belle Isle running with your mother, daughter, grandmother, or granddaughter! The family that runs together has fun together, after all, and what better way to show family pride — female pride! — than showing everyone how your family’s women run the D? Participating in these divisions will NOT preclude you from the regular age-group awards. These divisions are in addition to the age-group awards, so be sure to sign up when you register: one mother and one daughter for the Mother/Daughter division, and one grandmother, one mother, and one daughter for the Three Generations of Women award (note: all family-awards participants must be racing the same distance, eg. everyone doing the 5K).