The first time you meet Quyen Phan, you know that she has enough energy and enthusiasm to make it through all 26 miles of her first marathon. She will be running the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA on February 3, 2008 and raising funds for Free Wheelchair Mission. 

Quyen began running in June after she got tired of always walking on the treadmill.  When she began with an 8 week plan to run a 5k, it was her first time to buy real running shoes – not just any old shoe off the shelf!  After that initial 5K, she planned to do another in October, but her training partner encouraged her to go for the half marathon.  She completed her first half marathon in October and plans to do one more before taking on the full marathon.  She confesses that she is still a little bit nervous about reaching the full marathon distance at Surf City but says with a laugh “in training I trust!” 

She feels that the Run for Mobility is something everyone can get involved in. “I just started running in June – before that the furthest I walked was about 3 miles.  I’m not an athletic person.  If I can do it, anyone can!”. She wanted to raise funds for wheelchairs because she is “a very tangible person.  I need something I can see.”  She loves knowing that $50 will provide a wheelchair to someone in need and change their life immediately.  She has already changed 12 lives by raising $600!  With her fundraising effort, Quyen is truly making an impact that will last long after she reaches the finish line.