Olympic runner Elise Cranny shares her journey at Niwot Hall

The Niwot Community Connection (NCC) hosted its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9, featuring a talk by 2014 Niwot High School graduate and two-time Olympian Elise Cranny. The event provided an inside look into the life and career of the accomplished runner, who recently moved back to Colorado.

Cranny, a Stanford University graduate with a degree in human biology, shared her journey as a professional athlete with a crowd at Niwot Hall. She currently is part of the Nike team, and spent Wednesday morning at Niwot High School, where she spoke at a pep rally honoring the NHS Boys Cross Country team's victory at the Nike Cross National Championship in December.

Despite her success, including breaking records, holding the U.S. indoor 5K record and outdoor 3K record, and competing in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, she remains grounded. Cranny shared that once her competitive running days are behind her, she has an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare.

Karen Copperberg, who attended the event, noted Cranny's modesty and strong connection to her roots. "She said how much she enjoyed being around her family and being in a place she's so familiar with," Copperberg shared. Cranny's parents, both physical therapists and former competitive runners, have been a source of inspiration and support throughout her career.

Cranny also spoke about her rigorous training schedule, which currently consists of running seven days a week in addition to traveling extensively. She explained how her preparation for races has changed, and credits advancements in sports nutrition and equipment as the reason behind faster times and fewer injuries among today's top athletes. Cranny said her partnership with Nike provides significant support for her training, including access to world-class facilities.

Mentorship emerged as a central theme of her talk, with Cranny expressing her dedication to guiding younger athletes. She engages with aspiring runners through an online platform where individuals from around the world can reach out to her. "She really enjoys mentoring younger women," Copperberg said.

Cranny is preparing for a major race in March and will be relocating from Colorado to Flagstaff, Arizona, to focus on her training. Reflecting on her talk, Copperberg remarked, "She's totally focused on her life as a runner, but I didn't get the impression that's all she wants to be thought of as. Her mentoring and her future in healthcare are just as important to her as running."

The Olympian's story resonated with the NCC audience, reminding them of the power of perseverance and the importance of having a life plan beyond athletic success. Cranny's message of balance and her commitment to the community left a lasting impression on those in attendance.