When Ayo Akinmoladun lost his mother in 2023, he turned to running to cope with his grief. He ran a mile a day for a month, using the time to reflect on the invaluable lessons she had taught him.

That November he ran a marathon to honor her memory and completing the race inspired him to pursue the coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors six-star medal. Ayo recently completed the Berlin Marathon, marking his third Abbott World Marathon Majors marathon in the books.

“Earning the Abbott six-star medal represents years of sacrifice, consistency, and hard work. It’s more than just a medal—it’s something I can proudly show my kids, students, and community as a reminder that we can do hard things,” he said.

A K–8 school principal in Philadelphia, Ayo has a doctorate in education from Johns Hopkins University. His students achieved three years of growth on their NWEA MAP assessments and double-digit gains on state tests, while also building meaningful relationships and a sense of community.