The Therapy of the Run: My Journey from Annapolis to Penn

By: Marley Dobson, 2025 Recipient of the Amy Schuerholz Metz Scholarship presented by Charm City Run and Saucony

“Being awarded the Charm City Run Scholarship meant much more to me than simply receiving financial support. It served as a meaningful affirmation that the dedication and perseverance I developed through running had shaped me into someone worthy of being seen, supported, and believed in.” 

Hi! My name is Marley Dobson, and I’m from Annapolis, Maryland. I attended Saint Mary’s from fourth grade through high school, and I recently had the privilege of being awarded the Charm City Run Scholarship. Currently, I am a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania and studying Criminology. 

I’ve loved running for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t truly become passionate about it until high school. After COVID, I returned to in-person classes during my freshman year, but my anxiety had intensified. Running became my outlet, providing me with structure and clarity, and quieting my anxious mind. On days where everything felt overwhelming or unbearable, I would put in my earbuds, blast music, and run. Time would pass and my thoughts would quiet. Over time, running became more to me than simply physical exercise, it became my form of therapy. Sophomore year of high school, I decided to join the track team. It allowed me to explore my passion in a competitive manner and to form friendships with my teammates. 

Last year, I began navigating the stressful college application process, as many of you may be doing now. I had gotten into my dream school, the University of Pennsylvania, and was in search of scholarships. Knowing my history, my college counselor showed me the Charm City Running Scholarship and encouraged me to apply. I researched the scholarship and its core values, which include leadership, sportsmanship, and community service. I decided to apply and went through the interview process. I talked about my experiences, my involvement in school, and my passion for running. Not long after, I learned that I had been selected as a scholarship recipient. 

I was incredibly grateful and deeply relieved. One of my main concerns when deciding where to attend college was the financial burden, and this scholarship significantly eased that pressure. Not only did it help cover essential expenses such as room and board, but it also provided me with a running community that I could carry with me into this next chapter of my

life. For example, the other recipient of this scholarship also attends the University of Pennsylvania. Seeing a familiar face during my first days on campus made an overwhelming transition feel more manageable. It was comforting to connect with someone not only from the DMV area, but also from the running community. I strongly encourage anyone who is passionate about running and committed to the core values of this scholarship to apply! 

As I continue to study criminology, I carry forward the discipline and perseverance that running has instilled in me. The sport has taught me resilience, mental endurance, and healthy coping mechanisms for life’s challenges. These qualities are essential not only for academic success, but for life as a whole. I will always carry the lessons running has given me, and I am deeply grateful to Charm City Run for recognizing my journey and selecting me as a recipient.