When Jennifer Dollarhide crossed the finish line Saturday morning, it was a statement of resilience that would have made Andy Payne proud.
Nearly a century after Payne cemented his name in history by running 3,422 miles across America in the 1928 Trans-Continental Footrace, Dollarhide showed a spark of that same unbreakable resolve — this time over 3.1 miles in Claremore.
“Out there on the course running, you think about what he achieved,” Dollarhide said. I just did 3.1 miles, and what did he do? Over 3,000 miles — over a marathon a day. It’s unbelievable.”
The Locust Grove runner pushed through two years of lingering Achilles injuries to place 19th overall in a field of 190 participants and second in the Female 40-44 age group at the Andy Payne Route 66 Race 5K. Her time of 24 minutes, 3 seconds (7:44 per-mile pace) not only earned her a fifth-place finish among 113 women, but also marked a triumphant return to racing at full strength after a long road of pain, setbacks and stubborn determination.
“Two years ago this week I started experiencing pain in my left Achilles tendon,” Dollarhide said. “Eventually both tendons were aggravated, although the left was always much worse than the right. It took me until the very beginning of 2025 to finally kick this chronic pain after having an excruciatingly painful time during the late 2023/early 2024 running season.”
The event was part of a revived effort to honor the legacy of Payne, the Foyil native and Cherokee icon who beat 198 runners in a grueling cross-country footrace 99 years ago. Dollarhide, 44, channeled that spirit not just by racing, but by overcoming a physical and emotional battle that had lasted far longer than the 5K distance itself.
Despite struggling through chronic tendon issues since spring 2023, which at times left her limping out of bed or unable to walk normally after sitting, Dollarhide never stopped running.
Although she admits it wasn’t the wisest decision at the time, her perseverance finally paid off in 2025. In fact, in the first four months of the year, she has already completed a marathon, a 50-mile ultramarathon and returned to speed workouts — all pain-free.
Her efforts culminated Saturday in a performance that exceeded what she had been able to hit in training. She described the weather as perfect — crisp and clear, around 50 degrees — and the course as flat and fast, with a few rolling inclines and plenty of encouragement from spectators and photographers along the way.
“I felt stronger than in my training runs,” Dollarhide said. “I started out conservatively, although it was a little bit of a faster pace than what I had on my watch originally. I just listened to my body — how’s the breathing, how are my legs feeling — and kind of took the course as it was. I’m satisfied with where I’m at, but the paces that I’m hitting are a struggle compared to where I was even two years ago prior to the Achilles injury. I’m comparing myself to two years ago in these training runs, but truly, it has been a struggle.”
Joining her in Claremore were several members of the Payne family and more than 200 runners across the 5K and fun run, as the historic event gained new life with hopes of one day expanding into a half or full marathon.
For Dollarhide, who was drawn to the race by its historic significance and sense of local pride, it was a chance to prove she is not just back — she’s better, stronger and more grateful than ever.
With her Achilles finally pain-free and her confidence restored, she is already thinking about what is next.
“I am running a 10K at Fleet Feet Golden Driller next weekend,” Dollarhide said. “I actually was signed up for the marathon, but I took myself down because I’m not in the marathon shape that I want to be right. Rather than just going out and earning another marathon-medal finish line, I am taking a step back, trying to be smart and working on the speeds that can get me to where I want to be — ultimately in the marathon.”
Just like the man the race honors, she knows the road is long, but she is built to keep going.
“I have a long ways to go to get back to the effortless level of fitness that I felt in early 2023, but I’m healthy and ready to fight my way back,” Dollarhide said. “No holding back.”
