How Anna Sandhu, SFM’s Youngest Finisher at 13, Keeps Running and Reimagining Gut Health
In 2021, at just thirteen years old, I became the youngest runner to complete the San Francisco Marathon. It was my very first marathon, and I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that I loved the rhythm of running, the feeling of steady breath and movement, and the quiet promise of discovery with every mile.
Since then, I’ve returned to San Francisco every summer to run the marathon again. Five years in a row now, the city streets, rolling hills, and coastal winds have become part of my life story. Running the same race year after year has been more than tradition; the marathon has become a teacher. Each one has shown me something new about patience, resilience, and joy. I love the Bay with my whole heart and am so grateful to touch more lives with my story!
Where It All Began
My journey didn’t begin at a marathon starting line—it began years earlier with quiet morning runs with my dad. I’ve always been an early riser, awake before school with extra time on my hands. When I was nine, I asked if I could join him. Soon, five-mile runs before sunrise became part of my routine. Those mornings built my foundation. It wasn’t just about discipline, but a genuine love for moving and being outside.
COVID and Learning to Love Running
When the pandemic hit and life slowed down, running became my anchor. The world felt uncertain, but those early miles and long yoga sessions gave my days structure and calm. During that time, I realized something important: I didn’t just enjoy running, I genuinely loved it. It wasn’t just training; it was a gift, a way to find clarity, energy, and peace.
That love is what carried me into the San Francisco Marathon at thirteen, and what has brought me back to the starting line every year since.
A Walk That Stayed With Anna
One of my uncles, who is like a mentor for me, chose to renounce the world and become a monk, in search of a simpler, more spiritual life. When I was eleven, I traveled to India to visit him. Our time together was brief, but after sharing a simple, delicious lunch, I walked with him through the beautiful ashram’s garden.
At one point, I asked how he could keep walking so peacefully. He smiled at me and said gently,
“True strength is not in rushing, but in remaining steady.”
At the time, I didn’t fully understand. But as I watched him, I began to realize that strength is less about speed or power and more about patience, presence, and moving forward steadily, step by step. That short walk and his words stayed with me, and it’s a lesson I carry with me in marathons, long training runs, and even in the quieter moments of daily life.”
What Running and Ayurveda Taught Anna Sandhu About Nutrition
By my second and third marathons, I noticed a shift. My endurance started to slip, even though my training was the same. That’s when it hit me: running alone wasn’t enough—I had to fuel my body better.
I began exploring nutrition, pulling from both Ayurveda and modern science, and the biggest revelation was gut health. Once I focused on nourishing my gut, everything changed. I recovered faster, felt lighter on my feet, and found more joy in every run.
That experience taught me something I wish every runner knew: training will only take you so far if your nutrition is holding you back. What you eat isn’t just fuel—it’s the foundation of your energy, focus, and recovery. If you haven’t experimented with your nutrition yet, start now. The difference it makes isn’t subtle—it’s life-changing.
The Power of Encouragement
There were times when my spark faded. One summer, halfway through a run, I wanted to quit. My dad encouraged me: ‘Just one more lap.’ Then another. By the end, I had gone farther than I thought I could. That day taught me that it’s usually the mind—not the body—that gives up first, and sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement to keep moving.
What Five Marathons Have Taught Anna Sandhu
Running the San Francisco Marathon five years in a row has given me a different lesson each time:
- At 13, I learned how unprepared you can feel for something new, and how much showing up anyway teaches you.
- At 14, I learned pacing myself matters more than chasing speed—the hills and distance reward steadiness.
- At 15, I learned that training isn’t enough without fueling right. Nutrition and recovery decide how far you can go.
- At 16, I learned how much support matters. The encouragement from my dad and complete strangers gave me the strength I didn’t know I had.
- At 17, I learned that running the same course year after year isn’t about proving anything—it’s about perspective. Gratitude grows with every mile.
A Gift That Keeps Giving
Running has given me so much more than endurance. It’s given me peace, resilience, and joy. Every marathon, every mile, feels like a gift and proof that the road always has something to teach if you move through it with an open heart.
So if you ever find yourself doubting, I hope my story reminds you: every step is enough. Keep going, gently and steadily, one step at a time.
With love,
Anna Sandhu
Founder & CEO at SFG Biome
Editor’s note: Some expressions and phrases have been edited for clarity.