For those who subscribe to the philosophy that something positive can ultimately come out of a tough situation Kari Djonne’s story should hit home. It certainly is a commendable one as the diver-turned-runner overcame a back injury to not only find a new activity but is making it a life-changing endeavor — for herself and others.

Djonne, who was a standout diver at Newtown High School a decade ago, is now running marathons and will make her next 26.2-mile run count for not only herself but also the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation which honors Chase Kowalski, one of the 26 Sandy Hook Elementary Students whose lives were taken in 2012. Djonne will run the New York City Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, November 2, with much more than the goal of crossing the finish line.

“I’m 26 years old, running 26 miles, in honor of 26 angels — and my goal is to raise $26,000,” Djonne said. “This race is more than just miles — it’s a chance to honor Chase’s legacy and the CMAK Foundation’s mission of turning tragedy into triumph. For me, running represents resilience, community, and the belief that even in the face of hardship, we can come together to create something meaningful. Supporting CMAK means carrying forward Chase’s story of joy and courage, and helping empower others to live with that same spirit. It’s a reminder that we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves, and that every mile can make an impact.”

Djonne’s first taste of running came about when the going got tough.

“I first discovered running in college after a back injury sidelined me from my sport. It was the only activity that didn’t worsen my pain, and it quickly became a lifeline while I was navigating depression and anxiety. For years, I ran on and off, using it as both an escape and a way to reconnect with myself,” Djonne said.

After earning All-American honors her senior year of high school, Djonne accepted a full-ride Division I scholarship for diving at The University of Akron in Ohio. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t the experience I had envisioned. After completing my freshman year, I injured my back the summer before my sophomore season and had to medically red-shirt the entire year. I underwent back surgery at the end of that season and spent the next eight months working tirelessly to return to my sport,” she said. “Eventually, I realized I was physically and mentally breaking myself down in the process. In the fall of my junior year (2018), I made the incredibly difficult decision to walk away from diving — and, in many ways, the identity I had built around being an athlete.”

In 2023, Djonne signed up for her first half marathon with just 30 days of training, and the challenge sparked a passion she couldn’t ignore. The following year, she ran another half and achieved her goal of finishing in under two hours. In 2025, Djonne fulfilled a lifelong dream of running a marathon by completing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. “It was an experience that was as humbling as it was life-changing. By far the most challenging thing I’ve ever done yet most fulfilling as well. It was the closest I ever felt to pure bliss,” Djonne said.

“Running became my lifeline when everything else felt like it was slipping away. After my back injury ended my diving career, I felt like I’d been dropped into deep water without knowing how to swim. Each run became a stroke toward the surface — a way to breathe again, to quiet the noise in my mind, and to remind myself I was still moving forward. Over time, running stopped being just an escape and became a way of proving to myself that even in the hardest seasons, I can find strength, rhythm, and purpose,” she said.

The former Newtown athlete currently lives in Farmington with her boyfriend Kyle Stender and two Australian shepherds (Dunkin and Java). She works for a local family wellness brand, EEZ Co, that makes organic, clean-label products such as Lolleez, organic throat soothing pops for kids, and Sootheez, which are organic adult throat drops.

With that goal of bringing in $26,000, Djonne is committed to raising a minimum of $5,000, with 100% of proceeds going directly to CMAK. For those interested in making a donation, visit zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/kari-djonne.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.