Most people say they’ll never run a marathon.
Marilee Cann, Senior Recruiter at trak group, said the same thing. And then she ran five of them.
This past Saturday, she crossed the finish line at the CNO Financial Group Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in 3 hours and 56 minutes. If you’re not a runner, that may not sound all that remarkable. But a finish in less than four hours (what runners call a “sub-4”) is a milestone that marathoners train for and chase for years. We’re so proud of her, and we wanted to share her story.
How It Started
“I’m on record many times saying I would never run a marathon,” Marilee told us. “I actually signed up for my first one out of pure competitiveness. I had just finished my first half when a friend, who had been running for maybe two weeks, sent me a screenshot of his registration for the Flying Pig full. I couldn’t let him outrun me, so I registered the same day. He got ‘sick’ and didn’t run. Now I’m a five-time marathoner, so I think I proved my point.”
That competitive spark has turned into something bigger. She’s completed three Flying Pig Marathons in Cincinnati and two Indianapolis Monumental Marathons, sticking close to home. “I won’t waste a trip on a marathon. I need fresh legs for travel,” she joked.
The Miles Are Easier Together
Marilee trained alone for her first race. It gave her confidence. But training with others gave her community.
“I trained for my first marathon totally alone, and I’m proud of that, but I’d never do it again,” she said. “I train with Fleet Feet now and have made a lot of great running buddies. Community gets me across the finish line. I ran miles one through seventeen this past weekend in Indy with a crew from Fleet Feet. We started with three of us and picked up three more along the way. It makes a huge difference having people beside you chasing the same goal.”
She’s also become that person for others. “I paced my friend for her first half marathon last year, and that was really cool. Everyone hits a wall at some point, but being the one to pull someone through and cross the finish with them is humbling. I was so happy to have a front-row seat to watching a longtime friend reach her goal.
She CANN Do It!
Breaking four hours had been Marilee’s goal since last fall. This time, she felt ready.
“This training cycle was my strongest and most consistent yet, so I went in feeling confident, but also nervous,” she said.
Like anyone chasing a big goal, she had moments of doubt. Around mile seventeen, she hit the wall that every marathoner dreads. But her best friend ran beside her the entire race, coaching her through the moments when she wanted to slow down or stop. “I wholeheartedly believe that if you want to get better you should spend time with people better than you. He makes me chase him, and in turn, I’m in the best running shape I’ve ever been in.”
Around mile 24, Marilee realized she was going to hit her goal.
“I don’t think I can really put into words how that felt. I still had over a mile to go, which felt a little cruel,” she laughed. “But then I saw Nora right before the finish and I was screaming, ‘I DID IT! I DID IT!’ Crossing the finish with my best friend. It was all very, very emotional. I’m still on cloud nine.”
For Nora Banoun, trak group’s Shared Services Director and Marilee’s boss, who drove from Cincinnati to cheer her on, watching Marilee achieve her goal was unforgettable. “So incredibly proud of Marilee. Absolute proof that stamina, power, and sheer work ethic pay off. She crushed her goal. A queen. An honor to cheer her on and work alongside her every day.”
Where Consistency Becomes Character
“I’m naturally a very Type B person,” Marilee admitted. “Training forces structure on my life that I desperately need. It’s made me more intentional with my time, and now it just feels like my lifestyle. Getting into marathons has changed me for the better.”
Anyone who works with Marilee knows she brings that same dedication to her role as a trak group recruiter. She’s consistent, she sets goals and hits them, and she genuinely cares about the people around her—whether that’s candidates looking for their next opportunity or clients building their teams.
Her Newest Goal?
Even after five marathons, Marilee’s not done. “At this point, getting faster is always the goal. I want a marathon with a sub-9:00 average pace. I actually could’ve done it in Indy. My conditioning and strategy were there, but mentally, I didn’t execute the way I wanted. That’s what motivates me now: knowing I can do better.”
Her advice for anyone thinking about running? “Stay consistent, trust the process, and enjoy the fresh air. I’ve never regretted a run, but I’ve regretted skipping one. It’s exciting to embrace a new challenge and see what version of yourself comes out of it.”
We love celebrating the goals our people chase, especially the ones that take 26 miles to reach. So proud of you, Marilee. Here’s to many more finish lines ahead.
Want to work with recruiters who care? Learn more about our team at trak group or find out how to connect with us.