ST. LOUIS — The Greater St. Louis Marathon will happen Saturday and for a local pastor, it's personal. Saturday will mark a milestone that she vowed years ago to make -- complete 50 marathons by the age of 50.
In the pulpit, this pastor said she fulfills her life’s purpose, but it's on the pavement where she's found another calling.
Angela Tate is the associate pastor of Westside Missionary Baptist Church, which has locations in north St. Louis and in north St. Louis County.
You can now add to her title, accomplished marathon runner.
"I started running just as a stress relief … I started running 5s, did a couple of 10ks, then did a half marathon and just fell in love with the run,”
she explained.
Then, eight years ago a fellow minister gave her a goal -- run 50 marathons before she turns 50.
"I was 42 at the time and I thought ‘no way I could run 50 marathons by 50’ but here we are,” Tate said.
The 49-year-old will run in the Greater St. Louis Marathon on Saturday. After traveling from city to city, this weekend's home run will fulfill the challenge she reluctantly accepted.
It took discipline.
"I was doing four, five, maybe six a year,” she said. Then came a detour, COVID-19, placing an unexpected time out in her race against the clock. "So subsequently I did 12 marathons in 2023 so that we could make the goal."
She’s now on track to see a mission accomplished.
"We’re going to cheer her on as she goes through this race,” church member Candice Farrell said.
In addition to offering support, members of Tate's church have stepped up themselves, vowing to get moving too.
"The church is doing a mile a day so they're walking a mile a day to keep her motivated,” she said.
After all, that's what leaders do -- set an example and prove what's possible, even when you barely believe it yourself.
"At first I didn't think it was possible, then I said ‘let's go’…to be able to do it in front of my family. My daughters, my husband, my grand girl and they can see if we set a goal we really want to do, we can do it,” Tate continued.
A little faith and focus to mark a milestone that’s never been closer.
Pastor Tate and her supporters will wear T-shirts Saturday that say "Believe" and "Team 4:13." That's a reference to a bible verse that she says reminds her that she really can do all things.