Rockwall Runner. Six Days. Two Marathons.

ROCKWALL, TX (April 27, 2026) – At the London Marathon, Sabastian Sawe made history becoming the first person to officially break the two-hour mark in a sanctioned competitive race.  In that same race, a Rockwall woman broke a personal barrier of her own completing the 26.2 mile race less than six days after running the same distance at the Boston Marathon.

“Witnessing the historic sub-two hour marathon in London reinforces for me that limits are meant to be challenged. Taking on Boston and London just six days apart was my own way of testing those limits,” said Diana Sterling.

Sterling, 55, is no stranger to marathons.  She has run 10 so far including events in Germany, Spain, New York and Chicago.  She also finished a full Ironman event in 2022 consisting of a 2.4 mile swim; 112-mile bike ride; and a full marathon run.  But until this week, she never before had run two marathons in less than a week.

Although 3:42.14 is her personal best marathon time, Sterling dialed back her Boston pace to ensure she had sufficient reserves to complete London. Impressively, her 3:56.42 London time was more than 15 minutes faster than Boston.

“In London, I could definitely feel Boston in my legs but I never let myself go to a negative place,” Sterling said. “I broke the race down mile by mile and leaned into the incredible energy of the crowds. That, along with reminding myself how lucky I was to be out there, kept me moving forward.”

To prepare for Boston, London and all her endurance endeavors,  Sterling trains with the Run House Rockwall, as well as at the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA.  The Run House hosts twice weekly “5 @ 5” (5 miles at 5 am) training runs; and weekly Thursday 6 pm run/walk around the Rockwall County Court House for beginner and recovering runners.

Sterling has lived in Rockwall for eight years with her husband, Brian, who traveled to Boston and London to cheer on his wife.

“What makes this journey even more special is the support I have found here through The Run House, the Rockwall Triathlon Club and the YMCA where I train, connect and continue to be inspired by others pursuing their own goals,” said Sterling.

For more info about the Run House Rockwall activities and membership, contact Miranda Hyvl at 214-208-4757.  On May 18, in the lobby of the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall, The Run House and Ms. Sterling will show off Boston and London Marathon medals, race day pictures and invite YMCA members and friends to learn more about Rockwall’s premier running and walking organization.

Story and photos submitted by Kevin Metcalf-Kelly.

  Boston, feature, london marathon, Rockwall, sterling, the run house, YMCA