With great sadness we have learned that beloved DPMR member Sharon Fong passed away on October 7th.
Sharon was a founding member of Donner Party Mountain Runners, showing up at the very first group run in April 2014 and seemingly every one since. She was an accomplished runner, having completed more than 50 races at the marathon distance or longer. Quiet, gracious and unassuming, Sharon was also full of determination and grit. Few that were there can likely forget her 3 hard-fought attempts at the 100-mile distance at the Tahoe Rim Trail race. She proudly earned her 100-mile buckle in 2017 at Rio Del Lago. Sharon was also rightfully proud of running the Broken Arrow Skyrace every year and returned last June to hike the 26k distance when a “rusty” hip threatened to break her streak.
Always one to give back, Sharon and her husband Kin were also regular volunteers at aid stations, trail work days and DPMR events.
Sharon truly embodied the adventurous spirit. Fly high friend- you will truly be missed.
I just can’t take these losses anymore and so heartbroken over this news. Sharon has always been a hero of mine and someone I have deeply admired within the running community. She gave me the honor of my first pacing duties in 2015 during her first attempt at the TRT 50 miler. This was my introduction into ultra-running and I couldn’t have had a better teacher. Sharon showed me what true grit, determination and heart is on the trail that day and I only wish I could muster half of what she brings to the start line of every race she started. To this day, when things aren’t going well for me during a race, I still tell myself, “Sharon would keep going!” and I go, just like she always has.
The display of courage Sharon showed at her three TRT 100 attempts is forever burned in my memory, even more so now. Seeing her finally get a 100 mile buckle at RDL was a shared emotional journey for all that knew Sharon and the determination it took her to finally wear that buckle proudly. Sharon loved running, even when her body hated it and kept it from her. She would run a Broken Arrow race on a Saturday and volunteer at an Aid Station the next day, and never without a smile.
This world seems significantly smaller with the loss of my hero, but I’ll keep moving forward, because I know Sharon would.
That was beautiful Sean. Thank you for putting those words down for Sharon. She made us all better.
Beautiful
Thank you so much for these kind words Sean, they really mean a lot, I shed some happy tears reading this. The outpouring of support and stories shared by my mom’s running community have really helped. You’re all very wonderful people, I’m glad Sharon was a part of such a positive community.
Thanks Sean 👍🙏
Beautiful! It was always an honor and fun to work an aid station with Sharon. She exuded positivity all the time.
I chatted with Sharon at the start of the TRT endurance runs in Carson this summer. I was always happy to see her because of her kindness and because of a kinship I felt being a women in the same age group — she was always so kind and positive. I will miss her and I can only imagine the loss felt by her family and close friends.
This is extremely sad to read. Sharon had a very kind soul and spirit.
She was always so sweet, thoughtful, and encouraging when I saw her. She made me smile each time I saw her on the trail. She will be greatly missed. ❤️
Sharon Fong was and will remain a hero and an “endurance queen” for me as long as I am breathing. I miss her but I have to say she is with me every time I go for a hike or run. Good friends forever