In a quiet corner of the city library in Maidu Regional Park sits Molly Knox, a Library Technician whose calm demeanor contradicts her extraordinary past. With her gentle smile and unassuming presence, you’d never know that this very same woman once blazed trails as a competitive ultra runner, conquering distances that most people would never even dream of attempting.
"I started running when I was 25," Molly recalls. "My first marathon was in San Diego. I ran casually after that, but it wasn’t until 2012 that I took on my first Western States." The Western States Endurance Run, a grueling 100-mile race through the Sierra Nevada, is a pinnacle event in the ultra-running world, and for Molly, it was just the beginning.
Molly's journey into ultra running began almost by accident. "I got started after I overheard two women talking about a race called Western States. I went home and googled it and thought, 'I can do this,' and two years later, I did. I believe most people can do anything; you just have to do the work."
And work she did. Molly's training regimen was nothing short of incredible, running 80-100 miles a week until 2022. She competed in over six ultra marathons, with three of them covering at least 100 miles. Among her remarkable achievements was the Way Too Cool 50K, where she finished 11th in 4 hours and 40 minutes, and the AR 50, a 50-mile race which she completed in 8 hours, securing a top 10 finish.
Her crowning achievement, however, came in 2018 at the One Day in Auburn race. This unique event challenges participants to run as far as they can in 24 hours. Molly not only won the race but set a course record (which she still holds today) by covering an astonishing 125 miles. "When I’m challenged, nothing is out of my reach," she says. "I hear about something or see something, and I know nothing is impossible."
Molly's determination saw her tackle the infamous HURT 100 in Hawaii, a race known for its treacherous terrain. "It’s five loops in the jungle – the terrain is so technical you almost look at parts and cry," she recounts with a laugh. Yet, it was these very challenges that fueled her passion and drive.
Despite her numerous accolades and the sponsorships that brought her top-of-the-line shoes and clothing, Molly's favorite memory isn’t about a medal or a record. It’s about family. "One of my favorite moments was when my teenage son was allowed to run the last 7 miles of Western States with me. That was my favorite finish… getting to cross the finish line with him." Her eyes light up as she speaks, reflecting the deep bond she shares with her family, who have always been her biggest supporters.
In 2022, Molly decided to hang up her competitive running shoes and channel her energy into her work at the library. "I did all the things I wanted to do," she says. Today, she still runs for fitness, covering 20-25 miles a week and walking every day on her lunch break.
For Molly, running will always be a part of her life, a testament to her belief that with determination, anything is possible. And as she shelves books and assists library patrons, she carries with her the spirit of an ultra-runner – quiet, steadfast and always moving forward.