From running the open spaces of rural Marshall County to crossing one of the most iconic finish lines in the world, Amber (Kadoun) Kirkvold has come a long way from her roots near Britton.
Kirkvold, now living in the Sioux Falls area, recently achieved a longtime goal by competing in the Boston Marathon, an experience she describes as both challenging and unforgettable.
Growing up on a farm just outside Britton, Kirkvold said her early years were filled with simple moments that still shape who she is today.
“Most of my early memories are pretty simple, spending hours playing on the farm, going to the old swimming pool, and just being with friends,” she said. “It’s the kind of place where everyone knows you, and a place I still feel strongly connected to.”
After leaving the area during high school, she graduated from Aberdeen Central and later attended Presentation College. She eventually settled in Sioux Falls, where she has lived since 2010.
Kirkvold’s passion for running began early. “My first memory of running goes back to when I was about ten years old, racing my sister from apple tree to apple tree,” she said. “A couple of years later, I went out for junior high track, and that’s really where things started.”
Although she stepped away from the sport for a time, she returned to running in 2020 with a new perspective. “I appreciated it more the second time around, this gift I had been given,” she said.
Today, running is a central part of her life. She logs between 40 and 60 miles per week, often on gravel roads. “It’s where everything else quiets down, and it’s just me and the gravel roads,” she said.
That dedication has paid off. Kirkvold has completed five marathons, including a personal best time of 2:51 earlier this year. Qualifying for Boston had been a goal for some time, which she achieved with a 3:07 finish at the Lincoln Marathon.
After waiting a year to compete, the experience lived up to, and exceeded, her expectations.
“I expected the course to be challenging, but I don’t think I fully understood how special the experience would be,” she said. “The energy from the crowd and the history of the race made it completely different from anything I’d done before.”
Race day itself was a whirlwind. “Standing there at the start line felt surreal,” Kirkvold said. “The crowd support was incredible from the very beginning.”
She said two moments stood out most, Heartbreak Hill and crossing the finish line.
Kirkvold finished the race in 3:03, choosing to focus more on the experience than the time. “I wanted to go out there and run it, not race it,” she said. “I have never slapped so many spectators’ hands, danced to music, and pumped fists during a race.”
Behind the scenes, she credits a strong support system for helping her reach the starting line. “My husband Rob is my biggest supporter and really picked up a lot of the slack during my training so I could focus,” she said. “Knowing everyone was following along and cheering me on meant so much.”
Looking ahead, Kirkvold isn’t slowing down. She plans to run the Chicago Marathon this fall and continue improving as a runner.
Beyond racing, she remains focused on balancing her goals with family life. She and her husband have three kids, and she said she is mindful of enjoying each stage along the way.
“You have to soak in the little moments,” she said.
