Former Western distance runner Sarah Porter is used to going fast. She set a meet record in the 10,000 during her 2011 NCAA Division II national championship performance last spring. She holds school records in the 1,500, the 3,000, the 5,000 and the 10,000. Over a span of four years, she made 12 national appearances — a school record. 

It’s safe to say she’s the fastest distance runner in Western’s history. For Porter, the only thing that can travel faster than her is her summer.

Only a few months removed from the end of her distance-running career as a Viking, Porter signed a professional contract this summer with Reebok and ZAP Fitness. She makes her professional debut in the New York City Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Porter rakes in a $5,000 appearance fee just for competing in the marathon. She is likely to earn more on top of that, however, as the marathon awards more than $600,000 in prize money, with the most going to the top finishers. First place gets $100,000.

It is an opportunity rarely given to runners at such an early age. At 21 years old, Porter is already well on her way toward a career in running.

“A lot of athletes come out of college and think, ‘Oh, yeah, I’d like to run a marathon someday,’” Porter said. “But for me, someday is approaching very quickly. I’ve had a lot of anxiety and I’ve been wondering if it’s too early for me to move on to the next level and run a marathon. It means my future is starting now.”