Runners Spotlight - June 2026

Shaundra Fairfield has lived in Muskegon for most of her life. As the middle child of 5 (who loves to bring that up whenever she can), she comes from a loving family with parents and siblings who have always been there for her and supported her dreams. She is now working as a Pastor of Congregational Care and Worship. She loves hastily starting projects (sometimes to her husband’s dismay), and she is known to be a collector of unfinished to-do lists. She’s been married to her handsome husband, Mark, for 17 years, and together they’re raising two wonderful children: Nathan (12) and Allie (almost 11), who keep life loud, busy, and heavily dependent on snacks. :)
 
After earning her Bachelor of Music degree in 2007 from Union University in Jackson, TN, Shaundra apparently decided she hadn’t had enough homework yet, so she went back to school in 2021 and earned her Master of Arts in Christian Studies in 2024 from Western Theological Seminary. She is someone who loves to sit with others and listen to their stories. Sometimes she is running late, but she’ll probably have two coffees in hand – one for you and one for her.
 
She loves living in Michigan, specifically during the few glorious months in the summer when the sun appears and beach trips are possible. The rest of the year she survives on coffee, faith, and questioning why anyone voluntarily lives somewhere the wind feels personally offensive (especially when going out for a run!). She also loves sunsets (or a sunrise when she can get up early enough!), hiking, board games, meeting friends for coffee, reading several books at the same time, a good Sunday afternoon nap, and spending time with her family and friends.
 
1. How long have you been running?  I tried to start running in 2006 while I was in college, but I could never get passed 2 miles. I would say I have been seriously running with intention to get better/run longer since 2018. Kelyn Celeskey (another Run MKG member and my #BRF), was INSTRUMENTAL in helping me add miles over the years! There are so many race experiences I would have missed if it were not for Kelyn, and I am forever grateful to her for her help and most of all, for her friendship!
 
2. Do you race? If so, what is your most memorable race experience?  I started with a couple of 5k races in the Fall of 2018, and I have added more Half Marathons and Marathons over the years.
My most memorable race is the Run Disney Dopey Challenge in 2023 (4 races, 4 days, 48.6 miles total). I ran with some INCREDIBLE friends, and I always say it is the dumbest and most amazing race I’ve ever done!
 
3. Ever run in a costume? If so, what?  For the Disney Dopey Challenge, we all coordinated costumes for each of the races.
5k: I dressed as Wendy from Peter Pan (my friends were Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and Tinkerbell).
10k: I dressed as Disgust from Inside Out in the 10K, (my friends were Joy, Anger, and Sadness).
Half Marathon: I was the Flora from Sleeping Beauty (my friends were Fauna, Merryweather, and Sleeping Beauty…ask Scott Akker which character he was!).
Marathon: We all dressed as one of the Incredibles.
 
4. Only running shoes for me are...  I have tried a few different brands, and I’ve mostly landed on Brooks, but I’m still working on finding “my shoe.” Unfortunately, I need shoes that are good for bunions, lol. My consistent shoe is a men’s 8.5 (I learned that men’s regular shoes are wider than women’s wide width, which is good for me!).
 
5. What is your worst running-related injury?  This is a question I really do not want to answer straight-forwardly…I don’t want to jinx it and say that I have never had a true injury! However, I have had issues with my piriformis muscle that has given me challenges, but that whole stretching thing that runners don’t like to do seems to help quite a bit.
 
6. Hot or cold weather runner?  Neither option is great. You can always add layers, but you can only take so much off before someone on Facebook alerts Norton Shores Informed that someone is running naked…so I guess I would say cold weather is better.
 
7. What is your motivation for running?  This might be long, but it’s who I am, so…..
1.     I went through thyroid cancer when I was only 21 years old. It was a scary time in my life and I had vowed afterwards that I wanted to be healthier and stronger, not only for the life I had ahead of me, but to help combat any other health challenges that may come my way in the future. If I’m stronger, I can fight harder, right?
2.     Running has become a HUGE part of my grief journey and aiding in my mental health as well. My brother, Shane Bloomberg, passed away in a car accident in 2018, the year I began running more seriously. He was truly my person and I deeply miss him. In fact, he and I were going to start running together to keep each other motivated, and sadly that never happened. I wanted to quit and give it up…but I know he would never want me to do that. I knew if he were here, he would tell me (in much more colorful language) to not be a wimp and to keep going…so I do. Many times, when running specific races or running in memory of my brother, I will use the hashtag: #ForShane
 
8. If I didn't run I....  Would be restless, fidgety, on edge, and honestly, not pleasant to be around! As an ADHDer, I NEED to move, so I would probably bike. If mobility was an issue, maybe I would finally learn how to play drums so I could move while sitting.
 
9. I can't run without...  MUSIC when I’m running alone, otherwise I love running with friends who keep the conversation going!
 
10. What's the farthest you have run at one time?  26.2 miles (26.3 technically). Maybe there’s a 50k in my future…?
 
11. What brought you to Run Muskegon and why have you stayed?  Scott Akker invited me to come once, and I was hooked instantly. The people, the atmosphere, the encouragement (and maybe the actual running, too?) keeps me coming whenever I have the chance. I only wish my schedule allowed me to attend more!
 
 
 

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