Sam Forstner is a late bloomer in the running world. After a multiple year stint focusing primarily on motocross racing and soccer, Sam quickly realized his biggest asset was his endurance, kindling his passion for running after joining his high school cross country team his junior year. While in high school, Sam quickly developed into a team leader and captain, narrowly missing out on qualifying for state in both track and cross country in the process. These near misses fueled his passion to develop as a runner even further, with aspirations to help be a fundamental member of the rebuilding Ripon College track and cross country teams.

During his time at Ripon College, Sam quickly found his stride, captaining both the track and cross country teams by his senior year and claiming two school records in the process. Sam was a member of four consecutive indoor/outdoor conference champion track rosters his junior and senior years. In a reoccurring theme however, Sam narrowly missed out on qualifying for nationals in both cross country and track once, leaving him with an even deeper desire to chase the treeline after graduating in December of 2023.

Sam wasted no time transitioning to the world of road running after graduation, self coaching his way to his first 100 mile week of training, which resulted in a marathon debut of 2:25:47, good for 42nd at Grandma’s Marathon in 2024. With ample room to grow from his first taste of the roads, Sam partnered with Coach Tyler Morey and North Coast Running to take his training to the next level. Since then, Sam has consistently found himself in the top placements at multiple prestigious marathons, including a 13th at Indianapolis Monumental in 2024 [2:22:24], 46th at Boston in 2025 [2:19:44] and 29th at Chicago in 2025 [2:16:58].

Sam may have a brief history in the world of running, but he has quickly developed into an elite road racer with assistance from resourceful coaches and teammates. As a result, Sam looks to replicate and advocate for those same characteristics that helped him grow amongst fellow aspiring runners. Sam has integrated his long rooted competitive spirit with mental fortitude, striking a balance between growing from lessons of hardship and incorporating positive philosophical outlooks to create a linear upward trajectory in his running career. Looking forward, Sam aspires to maintain a transparent and welcoming relationship with fellow runners, sharing data and insights whenever possible to encourage and inspire runners of all levels reach new heights.

• Marathon | 2:16:58 | 29th Overall | 2025 Chicago Marathon

• Half marathon | 1:06:59

• 10K | 30:56

• 8K | 24:27 

• 5K | 14:58

• 3K | 8:35

• Mile | 4:25

• Youngest finisher in the Top 100 at a World Marathon Major | 2025 Boston Marathon [46th] | 2025 Chicago Marathon [29th]

• 2x Ripon College school record holder | 10K + 3K

• Education | Bachelor’s in economics & finance with a philosophy minor