Award-winning athlete speaking at SAC

Last updated 2/27/2024 at 10:41am

Lauren Fleshman, well known for her highly decorated running career, will visit Sisters Athletic Club on Wednesday, March 6, to discuss her recent book “Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World,” published last year.

The memoir became a New York Times best seller, and won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. The Washington Post described the book as “A close-up look at the uncertain and often unhealthy climb toward stardom for women in organized sports.”

As a runner, Fleshman, who resides in Bend, won three consecutive NCAA 5000 meter titles in track at Stanford from 2001-2003, along with two U.S. Nationals Championships at the distance after turning pro. In 2011, she placed seventh in the World Championships, which at the time was the highest finish ever by an American for 5000 meters.

Her college career included a total of five NCAA titles and 15 times All-American honors. She is considered the best American distance runner to never make an Olympic team. Throughout her running career to the present, Fleshman has been an advocate for athletes’ rights, as well as supporting ways to foster safe environments for girls and women in sports, with a particular focus on track and field.

While still competing, Fleshman co-founded the nature food company Picky Bars in 2009, which she sold to Laird Superfood in May 2021. She took up coaching along the way as well, and some of her athletes competed at the Olympic Trial in 2020.

Her memoir, published in 2023, will be the focus of her visit to Sisters Athletic Club, according to owner Tate Metcalf.

“Lauren and I had talked about her doing a book signing since before her book was even published and then, after the book’s popularity blew up and she was in high demand, I knew it would be a while before she could come here,” said Metcalf. “I am incredibly honored to have Lauren back to speak at the club.”

A reception starts at 5 p.m., followed by the presentation at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.