Nun Runs 15 Marathons, Raises $2.6M to Feed Chicago Fa...

Sister Stephanie Baliga was the sixth-fastest freshman runner in the nation at the University of Illinois when a fractured foot changed everything. Instead of returning to the track, she spent her recovery time in prayer and realized she wanted to devote her life to God.

But she never stopped running. For the past 15 years, Sister Baliga has combined her two passions by running the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels food pantry, where she now works.

"Jesus saw me for who I was," Baliga told WGN 9 News. "He was not looking for my straight A's or my fast running times; he was just seeking to love me wherever I was at."

The numbers tell a story of dedication. Between 2011 and 2025, Baliga and her Team OLA runners have logged thousands of training hours and raised over $2.6 million for families in need.

The MOLA food pantry now serves 400 to 500 families in person every Tuesday and delivers to 300 senior citizens each week. Father Bob Lombardo, who opened MOLA, emphasized they serve anyone who needs help, regardless of faith.

Nun Runs 15 Marathons, Raises $2.6M to Feed Chicago Families

The Ripple Effect

The marathon funding became crucial during the pandemic when demand skyrocketed. "The marathon funding was key to expanding the pantry in 2018, 2019, and 2020," Baliga explained, "and was very key to us sustaining an extremely large pantry during the pandemic."

This year, nearly 200 Team OLA members will run the Chicago Marathon for the 16th consecutive year. Their goal is to raise $500,000 in 2026 alone.

At June's half marathon practice run, the team brought in $16,000 while supporters cheered with signs reading "You vati-CAN do it" and "May God have mercy on your soles." A cardboard cutout of Pope Leo even made an appearance on the sidelines.

So far this year, the team has raised over $184,000 toward their ambitious goal. When asked about the staggering total, Baliga stays humble about the impact.

"You're like, 'Woah, look at all those zeros! That's a lot of zeros,'" she said. "The Lord provides."