Liz Duncan
April 24, 1980 - April 21, 2007

Liz Duncan loved to run. Whether trudging through snow or sweating in extreme heat, it didn't matter. No matter the outside circumstances, Liz ran, sometimes as many as 60 miles a week.

On April 21, the former Athletes in Action staff member was tragically killed while doing just that. Liz was standing at a Seattle intersection waiting for her running group to arrive when she was hit by a car. She died at the scene.

A former soccer player at Washington State University, Liz, 26, prayed to receive Christ in 1999 with her best friend and WSU teammate, Lindsey Jorgensen, during her sophomore year of college. She then got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, where the Lord began to transform her life.

Because her relationship with God changed her very being, she responded to God's vision of how she could invest her life in helping transform others. Thus, she became a staff member with Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Campus Crusade.

Liz moved to Ohio in October 2004 to serve with AIA at the University of Dayton, where she mentored college athletes in their faith. After three semesters at Dayton, she took an administrative position at the AIA World Training and Resource Center in nearby Xenia for seven months. She then moved back to her home state of Washington in August 2006 and soon after began working with Brooks Sports as a customer service representative.

Known to friends and family as a constant source of encouragement, Liz was often seen hugging, praying and laughing with people.

"Liz was one of the most encouraging friends I've ever had," says Meg Akehi, AIA staff member. "She had such a rare ability to make those around her feel loved and special."

She also possessed the ability to genuinely engage both with the Lord and others on a regular basis.

"Liz was willing to reach deep into my life and others' lives," says Lindsey. "She challenged me to search beyond the surface and to engage deeply with the Lord through joys and hardships."

The woman who possessed a beautiful smile, deep brown eyes and an infectious laugh also had a spontaneous side.

One night in Ohio, both Liz and her roommate Megan Soderberg were having trouble sleeping. At 3:00 in the morning, Liz texted Megan's phone, "Are you awake?" rather than hollering at her across the hall. When she learned Liz was not sleeping well either, Megan texted, "See you in the kitchen in 3 [minutes]."

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Liz, Megan texted another friend, inviting him over for an early breakfast. He then knocked on the door 20 minutes later.

"Liz freaked out and exclaimed, 'WHO IS HERE?'" says Megan.

The three proceeded to eat breakfast, talking and laughing until the sun came up.

Since moving to Seattle in August, Liz was slowly feeling established both at Mars Hill Church and Brooks Sports. She had joined a Bible study group and finished a new-members class at church. At Brooks, relationships with co-workers had started to blossom, and she enjoyed the freedom of working in running gear. Often times, Liz would run 15 miles to work in the morning, only to arrive and exclaim, "That was so much fun!"

But Liz still dealt with her share of struggles. In an e-mail sent to Lindsey dated just 12 days before she died, Liz vulnerably communicated that lately she'd been reminded of her tendency to become prideful in her running success. She also wrote that running had the capability to become her god. However, she expressed hope in knowing God was merciful and that He wouldn't abandon her regardless of this tendency, something she was constantly giving to Him.

Despite her personal battles, her legacy has become obvious in the few weeks after her death. Photos and stories have circled the globe via e-mail. Memory cards with her photo and Scripture (2 Timothy 4:6-8) were distributed at her memorial service and continue to be forwarded through the Internet. Brooks Sports has produced a t-shirt in her memory and is planning to place her initials on a new shoe in early 2008.

Perhaps the greatest legacy she will leave hasn't yet surfaced. Brooks has established the Liz Duncan Memorial Scholarship Fund that will enable college athletes to attend AIA summer mission trips and camps.

According to the Brooks Web site, "Liz undoubtedly impacted the lives of many through AIA, and we believe her spirit and compassion can and should live on. Liz Duncan Memorial Scholarship Fund resources will be presented to student-athletes who best exemplify character, faith and passion characteristics demonstrated by Liz on a daily basis."

Before her death, heaven was at the forefront of Liz's mind.

"In the past six months she kept saying how great heaven was going to be and how we wouldn't have daily struggles there," says Lindsey.

Some day those who knew Liz and know Jesus as their own Savior will see exactly what she is experiencing in heaven when they arrive themselves. In the meantime, they can know she is running, free from life's struggles in the presence of her Savior.

To view the tribute from Brooks Sports, visit: http://www.brooksrunning.com/corporate/news/04_21_07_Liz_Duncan.phtml . For more information on giving to the Liz Duncan Memorial Scholarship Fund, contact Megan.Soderberg@aia.com .

- Thoughts from Liz Duncan's friends