We are thrilled to share the inspiring story of Sean Troyer, who has been a long-time volunteer, donor and advocate for A Kid’s Place. Sean is going the extra mile (all 50 of them!) to support the children who call AKP home through his incredible fundraiser, “Running Miles, Raising Hope: Every Step for a Child Without One”. Sean is motivated, and mission-driven and he believes that meaningful change begins right in your own backyard. He knows that A Kid’s Place depends on the support of caring community members like him to provide safety and stability for children in foster care. Sean served in the U.S. Army for 27.5 years as both an enlisted soldier and an officer, earning his Airborne, Ranger, and Pathfinder qualifications, among other schools of advanced suffering, with multiple combat deployments, all while being a devoted father of two. Now, Sean is taking on a new mission to help children in foster care. He’s running in the 63rd annual JFK 50 Mile presented by Altra that will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in Maryland. This race is one of the oldest and toughest ultramarathons in the country. So far, Sean has raised more than $18,600 toward his $20,506 goal. We’re so proud of Sean’s dedication and as he runs each mile, we’ll be cheering him on with grateful hearts!
- Tell us about this race!
- The JFK 50 Miler is America’s oldest ultra-marathon, which is 50 miles – it’s actually 51.2 miles! – it started in 1963, which was the same year that President Kennedy was assassinated. JFK’s platform had a focus on fitness, and getting the country healthy. He would have made every officer in his entire Department of Defense be in shape enough to do a 24-hour long endurance event, and so the JFK 50-Miler is a somewhat long endurance event. It involves not just a physical readiness, but a mental readiness as well.
- What inspired you to run this race?
- I also did this 10 years ago, I was inspired then by a fellow soldier who came to my office and she said “hey, I’m going to run this 50-miler!”, and I said “That’s awesome!” and trained and did it with her. My mantra was that “I am going to run for those who can’t.” I did it for the buddies I had lost in combat, and I told myself that I want to be able in every decade of my life to challenge myself in this way. When I thought about doing it again this year, I realized it could be an opportunity to raise money and awareness for a wonderful cause. I’m doing it for me, and am inspired by thinking “what can I do?” and hopefully that inspires others into thinking “what can we do?”
- How did you get involved with A Kid’s Place?
- I moved to the area via the Army in 2015 and was involved with the Cub Scouts and the Girl Scouts, and you start to realize there were some people and places that are in need in our own backyard. There were things going on in the community that needed help and attention. I live in the River Hills community and a few great people from my neighborhood were actively involved at A Kid’s Place. Every chance I get, I try to tell people what makes A Kid’s Place special and you all are special because you don’t try to out-special other foster homes. You have your niche and are the hallmark of what you do.
- What’s your favorite indoor or outdoor activity?
- I’m outdoorsy, but for an indoor activity I like to build things, like cabinets and interior custom wood working whenever I have the time. When I am outdoors I like to run, like running on the beach and looking for shells. I also have gotten into Pickleball which is fun and I like to play golf.
- What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing what you are doing now?
- I’d be a bartender! I’m extroverted and being a bartender at a cool place where you have had regulars but also new customers to experience worldly stuff and carrying on with people would be a good cup of tea for me!
- If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would you want to meet?
- Everyone always says a famous person…but I thought of my Dad. He passed away a few years ago and I thought it would be cool to speak with him. Then I thought of JFK, probably because the race is on my mind. JFK was interesting and I could hear all of his secrets and get the truth behind the conspiracies. If I get both guests, I think my Dad would have a few questions for JFK, too.
- What are three traits that define you?
- Patriotic for my community, I love River Hills and the Tampa Bay area. Detailed, which can be a blessing or a curse. Driven, because I’m driven by selfless service.
- How do you define success?
- Anything that results in something positive and value-added. There are kids who come from not having a good start in life, and success is when later in life, and they have broken the cycle and are achieving and performing greater than average. Validating the journey…for instance, the last time I finished the JFK 50 Mile, I had a sense of euphoria because I was done and all the training, the late nights running, cold baths, the discomfort – it was all validated by me finishing the race. My daughter is going through her Master’s studies right now in Bio-Archeology and when she graduates that journey is going to be validated by her walking across that stage. For every person, the hardest thing they have ever done is the hardest thing they have ever done, and that’s different for all of us. Success can be big or small, and I hope my kids look back and think “Wow! Dad did some crazy stuff!”
- Who inspires you?
- It’s not a single person – it’s ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It’s ordinary people without an obvious superpower that can be in a group or team and do awesome things. I saw that a lot in the military – average people getting together to do some pretty amazing things. I really appreciate the “hidden grind”, like a basketball player or field goal kicker, or any individual who plays on a team. You’ll see them during practice busting their tail, you see them running sprints and leading on the field. What you don’t see is that person shooting a thousand free throws at night in the gym by themselves. That’s the hidden grind.
- Any words of advice?
- “Nobody cares, work harder.” Work hard and do your best and you’ll be right with others.