Sr. Stephanie Baliga is famous for running the Chicago Marathon every year to raise funds for her order.

As a teen, she was a division I runner with the University of Illinois, and was one of the fastest in the country. She planned to become a professional athlete until a foot injury her sophomore year led her to discern another path. She joined the Franciscans of the Eucharist in Chicago in 2010 at age 22.

Sr. Stephanie completed her 15th consecutive year running the Chicago Marathon this past Sunday, October 11, raising funds for her order’s Mission of Our Lady of the Angels. She and the 192 runners on her marathon team (with another 30 running the half) brought in $579,589, setting a new record.

All funds go to her order’s mission, supporting its food pantry that feeds 3,000 to 4,000 families each month, as well as other outreach programs the sisters operate in an under-served Chicago neighborhood. She has raised more than $3.2 million since she founded the team in 2011.