My name is Amber Stefanelli, and at 44 years old I won one of the toughest races at Griffith Park — a grueling course with steep mountain climbs, over 1,400 feet of incline, deep sand stretches for miles, rocky dirt trails, and relentless hills — finishing at an 8:07 pace and outrunning competitors decades younger than me.
But this victory was never just about the race; it was about everything I had to overcome to get there.
Just months before, in January, I was facing multiple blood clots and pulmonary embolisms, heart complications and a valve issue that left my heart unstable — doctors didn’t believe I could run again. At the same time, my personal life was unraveling with deep family struggles, and everything felt like it was falling apart.
In that brokenness, I found my way to Real Life Church, where through Christ, the Regeneration program, and the guidance of Pastor Scott and Pastor Russ, I was surrounded by a community of women who walked through healing together.
I held onto faith like the woman in the Bible who believed that just touching the garment of Jesus could heal her, praying every night for restoration in my body and my life.
Then something incredible happened — after wearing a heart monitor and expecting more bad news, the results came back normal. I felt stronger, healed and renewed. My life started to come back together, and I saw God’s hand in every step.
When the race came, I knew I had to run it. The night before, I saw a truck that said “Hercules,” and it reminded me to go the distance, that every mile had purpose. And I did — I ran with strength, never stopping, carried by faith.
Amber Stefanelli
Valencia
