She Signed Up for a Marathon, Then Decided to Study Abroad There

When Gigi Lannon first started thinking about studying abroad, she already had one goal in mind.

She wanted to run a marathon.

Not just any marathon, either. She wanted to spend a semester somewhere unforgettable and experience the city in the most meaningful way she could: by training for and running a marathon there.

For Gigi, that destination became Sydney, Australia.

Now, the rising junior at Wake Forest University is preparing for one of the biggest adventures of her life. She'll spend a semester studying finance at the University of New South Wales while also taking on the Sydney Marathon as a member of Team Still I Run.

It's a journey that's about far more than crossing a finish line. It's about embracing new experiences, prioritizing her well-being, and discovering just how much joy running can bring.

Finding Running in College

Growing up in New Castle, New Hampshire, Gigi was always active.

She swam for years before playing volleyball, squash, and lacrosse in high school. Running was always part of training, but it wasn't something she ever did just for herself.

That changed during her freshman year at Wake Forest.

As a member of the university's ROTC program, Gigi had the opportunity to participate in the Army 10-miler race in Washington, D.C.

There was just one problem.

She had never run farther than a 5K.

"I just decided I wanted to do it," she said.

The race turned out even better than she'd imagined. She finished faster than expected and loved every minute of it.

That one race quickly turned into another goal. Just a couple of months later, she signed up for a half marathon with two close friends from college who had become her regular running partners.

From there, running became part of her routine.

She loved that she could head out for a run before work or classes, clear her mind, and get in a workout without needing an organized practice or a coach telling her what to do.

Trading Pressure for Freedom

Running wasn't the first sport Gigi had loved.

Swimming had once been a huge part of her life, but over time, the pressure surrounding performance began to outweigh the enjoyment.

"There was so much pressure," she explained. "With running, nobody expected me to be amazing."

For the first time, exercise wasn't about meeting someone else's expectations.

It became something that belonged entirely to her.

Instead of chasing times or competing for playing time, she found herself running simply because it made her feel good.

That shift became especially meaningful as she adjusted to college life.

Gigi had experienced anxiety from a young age, although it wasn't formally diagnosed until eighth grade, when she began seeing a therapist and was diagnosed with clinical anxiety and depression.

As a child, much of her anxiety centered around sports performance. By high school, it shifted toward academics and the pressure of succeeding in a demanding school environment.

College felt different.

She found herself happier, more independent, and able to create routines that supported her mental well-being.

Running naturally became part of that.

"When I started learning about Still I Run and the whole message of running for mental health, it really resonated with me," she said. "Running became something I was doing for myself instead of because I had to."

Choosing Sydney Before Choosing Sydney

Most students choose where they'll study abroad first.

Gigi did the opposite.

She had heard about the Sydney Marathon becoming a World Marathon Major and knew how incredible it would be to run through one of the world's most iconic cities.

So she signed up for the marathon.

Then she decided she'd better study abroad there, too.

"I knew I wanted to run a marathon wherever I studied abroad," she said.

Now she'll get to experience Australia not as a tourist, but as someone living there for several months.

She can't wait to explore Sydney's beaches, hike, travel throughout the country, and experience the outdoor lifestyle Australia is known for.

"Everyone talks about how focused people are on health and wellness there," she said. "People are hiking, walking, surfing, swimming, running. That's something that was really important to me."

One of the first things on her to-do list?

Find a local run club.

She's heard they're one of the biggest social scenes in Sydney, and she's excited to meet people while continuing to build her running community.

Fortunately, she won't be completely on her own. Around 150 Wake Forest students will be studying abroad in Sydney during the same semester, including one other student running the marathon. One of Gigi's best friends will even be traveling there with her.

Running With Purpose

When Gigi registered for the Sydney Marathon, she knew she wanted to fundraise along the way.

She began looking for charity teams and immediately connected with Still I Run's mission.

Even though running hadn't originally entered her life because of her mental health, she quickly realized how much it had become part of caring for herself.

Running gave her space to breathe.

It gave her something that belonged only to her.

It gave her moments she couldn't imagine finding anywhere else.

She smiled as she described one of those moments from a recent training run.

"Today I did a longer run than I'd ever done, and a good song came on," she said. "I was just smiling so big."

Then she added something every runner understands.

"Those little moments where I can just be myself—I love that feeling."

That's exactly what she's hoping to experience in Sydney.

One Major Goal

Training hasn't been completely smooth.

Gigi recently injured her IT band, which has shifted her focus from chasing a specific finish time to simply enjoying the experience of running one of the world's biggest marathons.

And honestly, she's perfectly okay with that.

The Sydney Marathon represents so much more than 26.2 miles.

It's a chance to study halfway around the world.

To experience a new culture.

To build lifelong friendships.

To discover new places.

To grow into herself.

And to celebrate everything running has given her.

As she prepares to take on one of the newest World Marathon Majors, Gigi isn't thinking about racing anyone else.

She's simply excited to soak it all in.

Cheer Gigi On

Gigi will represent Team Still I Run at the Sydney Marathon while raising funds to help more people discover the connection between movement and mental well-being.

Every mile she runs helps support Still I Run's free programs, community, and mission of making every step a stride toward improved mental health and well-being.