Before starting a family, completing seven finishes of the legendary Comrades Marathon—the 53.3-mile ultramarathon in South Africa—was already an extraordinary accomplishment. But for local runner and owner of Aledo Party Cakes, one dream remained: earning the coveted Green Number, awarded to runners who cross the finish line ten times.

Then life stepped in with a beautiful whirlwind. Within just 22 months, she welcomed two sets of twins. Between severe sleep deprivation, navigating four toddlers, and pouring sleepless nights into building her home bakery, endurance training had to wait.

When her youngest twins turned five, she began carving out time for intentional self-care. After a promising half marathon, she set her sights back on Comrades. The comeback trail was immediately tested by plantar fasciitis, followed closely by a broken toe courtesy of a stray Paw Patrol truck. By July of last year, she was finally healed and ready to officially commence her long-awaited return to training.

Lining up for Comrades after 12 years away was deeply emotional. Standing among 24,000 runners as the pre-race music and anthem played, tears flowed as nearly a year of hard work culminated at the start line.

This year was the dreaded "Up Run"—featuring a net elevation gain of roughly 1,700 meters—making for a brutal physical test over iconic hills including the "Big 5." Guided by race legend Bruce Fordyce’s advice to "start like a coward, and finish like a hero," she adapted her strategy on the fly, walking the uphill grinds and running the flats and downhill sections.

Whenever her legs grew weary, the famous South African gees—the vibrant spirit of the crowds and water stations every two kilometers—carried her forward. Pushing through final miles of aching muscles, she crossed the line in 10:53, well clear of the strict 12-hour cutoff.

Her journey wasn't just a personal victory; it was a mission. Channeling her passion for food and nutrition, she ran to support Rise Against Hunger Africa. Generous donations from friends and neighbors in Aledo, as well as South Africa, raised enough to fund 3,208 meals for starving children in South Africa—bridging her original home with her current one.

Crossing that finish line for her 8th medal was her sweetest yet. Supported by an incredible village of local friends who helped watch her children during marathon training runs, she claimed back a piece of her own identity while setting an indelible example for her four kids.

Her message for anyone facing daunting goals this fall? Trust the process. Focus on today’s small daily wins, and remember that with discipline, you can always finish what you set out to do.

Next year is the 100th running of the Comrades Marathon, the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon event. Koula will once again be running for Rise Against Hunger Africa. If you'd like to support Koula's campaign and provide meals to communities in need, head to charity.comrades.com and search for Koula Budler.