How does she do it? Master's Student and Mother of 3 wins 24-hour marathon

Editor's note: Earlier versions of this story identified Christina Sumner as a PhD student. She is pursuing a master's degree. We regret the error.

As any runner can tell you, the amount of work that goes into training for marathons is substantial, and training for ultra marathons even more so. And as any student can tell you, getting a master's degree also takes a good bit of work.

Combine the two—in addition to raising three young children—and you have to get pretty innovative to accomplish everything. Did we mention holding down a full-time job?

So props to Christina Sumner, a master's student at George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, who earlier this spring won the women’s division of the 24-Hour Run for Cancer in Hampton, Va. Sumner ran 111 miles to place fifth overall in the two-day benefit for the American Cancer Society.

How does she do it? The photo is a big clue: Sumner, who lives in Ashland, Va., said, “Multitasking is key.” Her oldest daughter reads her George Mason textbooks to her as they go for a communal two-hour evening run.

“She’s becoming well-versed in conflict analysis and resolution theory,” Sumner said.

Sumner works for an organization called The Arc of Virginia where she advocates restoring the rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She says what she is learning at Mason is helping her to work more collaboratively to end discriminatory practices.

Believe it or not, pulling all-nighters for papers was a blessing: The sleep deprivation helped her prepare to run through the night.

Christina Sumner, a mother of three and a Masters student at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, goes on a training run with her children.

Photo provided.