ALS is one of the most complex and devastating diseases we know. It robs people of their ability to move, speak, and live independently, leaving families reeling. For neuroscientist and endurance athlete Sophie Imhof, that reality has shaped both her career and her personal mission.
Sophie has spent nearly a decade in ALS research, from Vienna to Stanford to New York, where her work now explores therapy innovation and epigenetics. She’s seen firsthand the breakthroughs that once seemed impossible. “Ten years ago, I would have said treating ALS was impossible. Now, it’s not a matter of if we find treatments, but when,” she said.
But Sophie doesn’t stop in the lab. She carries ALS patients with her on the trail. Running wasn’t always natural to her, in fact, she admits she once disliked it. Yet over time, it became her way of honoring those who cannot move. “During ultra races, my thoughts are with patients. I remind myself: you can do this, you’re healthy, so many people cannot.”
She’s even turned her runs into creative fundraisers, once tracing Austria’s public transport routes, dedicating each to a different ALS cause. Now, she’s preparing for her biggest challenge yet: the Arizona Canyon Ultra, 55 kilometers (34.2 miles) across sand and desert heat this March.
For Sophie, the mindset of science and endurance sport is the same: progress is slow, setbacks are real, but every step counts. “Even when experiments fail or races get tough, every step is one step closer to where you want to be.”
Why She Runs and Why Support Matters
Sophie runs not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness: ALS is not rare, distant, or someone else’s problem. “It’s pure evolutionary luck that you don’t have it. That’s why we need to stand up for people who do,” she said.
By supporting Sophie, you’re fueling the kind of research she’s dedicated her life to:” research that is already changing what’s possible for ALS patients and families.
Join Sophie
On March 6, 2026, Sophie will take on sand, heat, and 55 kilometers of canyon trails. She’s running with courage and purpose, but she can’t do it alone. Support Sophie’s run today and help bring hope to ALS families everywhere.
You can support Sophie’s run and Target ALS here.
