Villanova University field hockey coach Karlie Kisha participated in Saturday’s 8K Philadelphia Marathon, writes Stephanie Stahl for CBS News Philadelphia.
Her participation was particularly impressive because she is seven months pregnant and a cancer survivor.
The former Olympic athlete took the race in stride.
“Looking for a 9-minute mile pace,” Kisha said, “but seven months pregnant, just kind of going to have fun with it and just enjoy the day.”
Kisha was diagnosed in April of last year with thyroid cancer at just 29 years old.
They removed her thyroid, but the cancer spread to her lymph nodes, with 20 of those removed.
Kisha was on the U.S. field hockey team and played in the Paris Olympics. She was in the best shape of her life, despite the cancer and the surgery.
After Paris, she started cancer treatments, which were successful.
Kisha joined the American Association for Cancer Research team in the marathon, running to raise money for cancer research.
“I have had a great experience with my cancer situation,” Kisha said, “and I just want other people to also have an experience like mine.”
Kisha’s baby, her first, is due in mid-January.
Read more about Karlie Kisha’s cancer survival and athletic experiences at CBS News Philadelphia.
Editor’s Note: This post was initially published on DELCO.Today in November 2025.
