Mathematics Instructor Completes Marathon in New Record Time

ECC’s Instructor of Mathematics, Kari Farooqie, completed the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 8, 2025. Farooqie shaved 15 minutes off her previous time and, more fittingly, she ran the race on National STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Day.

ECC’s Communications team caught up with Farooqie to talk about her accomplishment and how it relates to her teaching in STEM. 

Learn more in the Q&A below:

What inspired you to take on the marathon, and how did it feel to cross the finish line after cutting 15 minutes off your previous time?

I ran my second marathon last year in 4:07, so I set my goal this year to finish in under 4 hours. The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is known for being flat and fast, and they usually have nice, cool temps. This year, the race-day conditions were perfect, and I finished in 3:52 – I felt very proud of that!

You completed the race on National STEM Day! How do you see parallels between long-distance running and teaching or learning in STEM fields?

Marathon training is usually 16-18 weeks. ECC has 17-week semesters, so a semester is much like training for a marathon in some ways; you have to nail your workouts along the way (your quizzes and chapter tests) so that you’re ready for race day (the final exam). You have to show up for each of those weeks, even if you don’t always feel like it. 

If something didn’t go well, you need to learn from it so you can fix it for the next time. In the same way that you cannot be successful by completing a week’s worth of homework on Sunday night, you cannot be successful in the marathon if you are only doing weekly long runs. The consistent, daily work is where the magic happens.

What lessons from running do you share with your students — about endurance, problem-solving, or achieving goals step by step? 

My favorite Peloton instructor, Jess Sims, once said, “We don’t show up because we’re motivated, we show up because we’re disciplined.” I think that applies as much to classwork as it does to exercise. The important thing is to keep showing up and keep trying – not because you are externally motivated, but because you have turned that into a habit. Consistency is key. Also, run your own race and stop comparing yourself to everyone else.

Do you have any pre-race rituals or must-have snacks that keep you fueled?

Before every race, I drink a cup of black coffee and eat a piece of white bread with Nutella. I down a Maurten Caf 100 gel fifteen minutes before every race start. I always run with LMNT [hydration supplement] in my handheld [water bottle]. When I’m not running, you can usually find me snacking on egg cups, Chobani yogurt drinks, and grape Uncrustables.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone tackling a “marathon” of their own — whether in running, math, or life?

Stick with it – progress isn’t always linear. And don’t forget to take a rest day.