Sandi Richmond, Ph.D., turned 80 last year but did not fully embrace her active lifestyle until her mid-40s. However, once she got started exercising outside, she never looked back, and has never stopped hiking, climbing and walking. She grew up in Tucson and considers Sabino Canyon her home base, although she has also hiked the Grand Canyon more than 30 times.
She earned her Ph.D. in Management and Ploicy from the University of Arizona at age 53 and did not walk her first marathon until she was 55. She considers herself a confirmed, card-carrying late starter.
At age 70, she incorporated adventure travel into her post-retirement life which led to several challenging treks including the Inca Trail in Peru and the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
​Though not a runner, she moves forward, slow and steady, every day, not only along trails but also in life. Despite having arthritis, atrial fibrillation, spinal stenosis, and joint replacement surgeries in both hips and knees, she has slow-walked several marathons, half marathons, 50, 15, 10 and 5Ks, in supporting worthy causes in these walker-friendly events. She does not seek to win these events. Her goal is to simply enjoy being outside, moving forward step-by-step and encouragng others to do the same.
Sandi has also completed several challenging hikes and events with every member of her family, creating sweet traditions and precious memories.
"Milepost 75" is her first book (published at age 80). She recently finished writing "Milepost 80" (due to be published in early 2025) and hiked another (her final, she says) one-day Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim last October.
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