Nov. 29—Ironton native seeks to finish World Marathon Major quest in 2026
An Ironton native has a goal for 2026: To complete all six of the World Marathon Majors, of which she has already done four.
Erin Leggett, a 1997 Ironton High School graduate and the daughter of Linda and Kenneth Meyers, now lives in Baltimore and has taken part in marathons in Berlin, London, Chicago and, most recently, New York City.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShe has registered for the Tokyo Marathon, which will take place on March 1, and is fundraising to take part in the Boston Marathon, set for April 20.
Leggett said she began running in 2017, starting with 10K races and half marathons, before running her first marathon in 2018. She said she was initially drawn to it because her husband, Jon, was taking part.
"I thought it looked fun," she said.
After their first few marathons, she said she and Ken decided "Let's do all six."
Leggett said she her motivation in running is not to place but to "better by your own standards."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLeggett spoke of her journey to this point, and said one of her first memories of running was in Mr. Kitchen's class at Kingsbury
One of my first memories of running is in Mr. Kitchens class at Kingsbury Elementary School.
"I remember listening to "We Built This City," by Starship, in the gym/auditorium," she said. "Because of that memory, that song makes it on every running playlist."
She states she often says that Mrs. Wilmoth, her gym teacher at Ironton Junior High and High School would be proud.
"She was always running, and I believe she had won her age group at the Boston Marathon," Leggett said. "I'm pretty sure that I found every excuse in the book to get out of running during gym class."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor the Boston Marathon, Leggett is fundraising for Fearless 261, the nonprofit founded by Kathrine Switzer, who was the first woman to officially run in Boston, hoping to raise $10,000 for charity.
"Fearless 261 focuses on empowering women around the world through running and physical activity," Leggett said.
Leggett said, over the years, she has raised $6,000 for charity.
Some of that work includes:
—Dragon Master Initiative: The Leggetts raised more than $22,000 over several years, with her participation in the Dopey Challenge, which involves running a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon on four consecutive days.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement—Shoe4Africa: Raised $3,000 to run the 2025 New York City Marathon.
—Team in Training / Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (now Blood Cancer United): Raised $1,500 (Ken also raised the same), to run the 2025 Chicago Marathon with their team.
—Tokyo Marathon Foundation Sports Legacy Program 1: Donated 202,000 yen (approximately $1,280), securing entries into the Tokyo Marathon through their charity-based system.
For Boston, which will be her final race toward a Six Star Medal, Leggett is raising is currently collecting funds at https://www.givengain.com/project/erin-raising-funds-for-261-fearless-110398.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShe is also doing a show donation drive for the charity. Shoes can be dropped off at her parents' home in Ironton, at 2427 S. 10th St. Leggett said they are collecting sneakers, which are being recycled and shoes can be dropped off at that location through Christmas.
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