Beejal Patel joined KARC in June 2021 with the hopes of finding a group to train with to run a full marathon. Ever since she ran her first half marathon in 2009, she added running a full marathon to her bucket list. She came into running to have something to do for alone time after helping her mom get through an illness and considered running as therapy. She is a physical therapist and when you spend time with her, she oozes compassion and care for others. She has been running with the M&Ms since she joined and is someone we can all look to for positivity and motivation.

She has been happily married to her husband, TJ, for 21 years and they have two beautiful daughters. Her youngest daughter will be graduating from high school in 2023 so soon they will be empty nesters! Beejal speaks three languages, loves to travel, and is obsessed with motivational quotes. She loves to read and listen to audiobooks. Some of her favorites are “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, and “Educated” by Tara Westover. She is fascinated by human relationships and the human mind. What she finds so fascinating is that we are so much more alike than we are different. Being open to one another and spending time with different kinds of people from all walks of life has taught her that we are all part of the same vast ocean.

Her most memorable races were the Houston Half in 2021, completing her first full marathon at Chevron Houston Marathon in January 2022, and also the Blue Bell Fun Run Half Marathon in April 2022. Her goals for 2022 are to continue running half marathons comfortably and she has the desire to improve her times with each race.

She says that joining KARC was one of the best decisions she has made and that she has met many like-minded people and the friendships she has gained from KARC have been the biggest gift. And losing 17 lbs since she joined KARC is a BONUS!