My most humbling race moment wasn't on the course.

My most humbling race moment wasn't on the course.

First, a little context...
John Salmonson ("Big John") passed away on February 1, 2023.

Alongside his wife, PJ (pictured with me below), and a handful of local runners, he founded HURT—the nonprofit behind the formidable HURT100 Endurance Race.

Founders are the heartbeat of any endeavor.

But the real test of a founder isn’t just in creating something people want.
That’s only step one.

The ultimate test?
How well it endures in their absence.

- Most organizations flounder.
- Some can sustain.
- Few excel.

As a first-year participant in the HURT100—nearly two years after John’s passing—the impact of his leadership was undeniable.

Despite the event’s massive scale, every detail felt intimate and cozy. Care, intentionality, and effort dripped from every interaction.

As a founder, this raised my own bar on what I believed was possible.

Of course, John's memory was honored by:
- Stories being shared.
- Traditions upheld.

But most striking? His values weren’t just remembered—they were lived.

The values John championed were embodied in the hearts, minds, and actions of the people his life touched.

For most, death is the faint breeze to extinguish a gentle, flickering light.

For John, death was the gust of wind that stirred embers, set others' hearts ablaze, and galvanized multiple generations.

Incredible.

...but this isn't about John (remember, I never met him).

Two groups are often overlooked in an organization’s history:

1. The founding team. (Nothing great is built alone.)
2. The spouses. (One of the most impactful forces on a Founder's journey... without even needing to step into the office)

PJ Salmonson was both John's wife AND a founding part of HURT.

When I finished the HURT 100, PJ was the first to place a lei around my neck.

The Hawaiian lei is a symbol of love, honor, respect, and celebration (aloha).

And so, my humbling race moment:

PJ bestowing a symbol of honor upon ME—while my heart and mind were overflowed with respect and admiration for HER and what she built alongside Big John.

I trained hard to complete the HURT100, but no amount of training guarantees a founder will achieve what she—and the entire HURT team—have accomplished.