Emma Kertesz faced challenging conditions during the Houston Marathon held on January 19, where high winds disrupted her aspirations for a personal record. Training diligently for a target finish of 2:33 to 2:34 hours, she completed the race with a time of 2:37:52, slightly below her best time from May 2024. Despite missing her time goals, Kertesz found solace in her performance during the final miles, expressing satisfaction with her ability to race competitively in that segment of the marathon.
In a conversation with Runner’s World, Kertesz highlighted her intention to race strongly in the last 10 kilometers as one of her non-time-based goals for the event. This determination contributed significantly to her overall positioning, ultimately landing her a commendable 10th place finish amidst a competitive field of athletes, all while balancing her demanding role as the Director of Education for a preschool in Boulder County, Colorado.
Kertesz’s vibrant personality also shines through in her unique approach to marathon hydration. The 34-year-old millennial has a distinctive method for personalizing her elite water bottles, which she embellishes with stickers of beloved pop culture icons. From Steve Carell’s portrayal of Michael Scott in The Office to Kim Kardashian from Keeping Up With the Kardashians, these stickers are reminiscent of her teenage years and serve to motivate her during races. This creative outlet dates back to the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials, where she first began the practice.
Before each race, Kertesz ensures that her water bottles—from your typical Walgreens or Target purchase—are filled with her preferred hydration solutions, such as Neversecond C90 or Skratch Labs. Each bottle is personalized with quirky stickers adding a dash of fun to her race day routine. She recently invested in a pack of “funny meme vinyl stickers” from Amazon, confidently ensuring that she has enough for several marathons ahead.
What’s unique about Kertesz’s approach is not just the aesthetics of her decorated bottles but their practicality. With many elite marathoners opting to decorate their hydration supplies with materials from elite hospitality suites, Kertesz’s vibrant, memorable stickers allow her to quickly identify her bottles amid a sea of competitors. This convenience, coupled with her clever selection of stickers that resonate with her, keeps her entertained throughout her rigorous training schedules.
Furthermore, Kertesz’s decorative bottles serve as constant reminders of why she devotes herself to running. The early bedtimes and pre-dawn training sessions are motivated by a deep-seated passion for the sport. “I try to select stickers that make me laugh or energize me, especially during the tough moments of the race,” Kertesz reflected, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a light-hearted perspective during rigorous physical challenges.
As she prepares for future races, there is no doubt that Kertesz will carry her beloved stickers—and Kim Kardashian—on her journey. While her next marathon isn’t finalized, she is considering participating in the Marathon Project in December. Regardless of the race, one thing is certain: Kertesz’s quirky, positive demeanor and her uniquely decorated hydration bottles will accompany her, bringing a smile to her face as she pushes through every mile.
