Mother, nurse, soldier who inspired 'Steph Strong' running team dies

Editor's Note:A young mother, nurse and solider, Stephanie Murdough Riley died this past week after inspiring so many people in New Hampshire with her will to live.We sat down with her in May 2014 for this story and are re-publishing this story in her honor.

Stephanie Murdough Riley of Concord will be lacing up her sneakers and participating with her young family and about 130 friends at the Rock 'N Race on May 8.

It benefits not only the hospital she works for, but where she is receiving treatment for stage four lung cancer.

Diagnosed in February, Steph is strong and this aggressive form of cancer has met its match.

In fact, "Steph Strong" is the name of her huge team which has raised more than $9,000 for Concord Hospital's Payson Center for Cancer Care.

She will fire the starting pistol on the lawn of the State House at 6 p.m. and will be asked to say a few words to inspire the more than 6,000 participants in the popular annual fundraiser. The course weaves through the downtown comes through the former State School grounds and ends where it begins at the state's Capitol.

Sharon E. Sweet, events manager for the Concord Hospital Trust, said over the years, the race has raised $3.2 million.

"Last year, 6,543 people participated, we hope to match those numbers again this year," Sharon said.

Steph is no stranger to the event.

"I have always walked the Rock 'n Race with the kids' school team," she said. "This year, I am moving to Rock Star status," by becoming one of the largest fund raisers for the event.

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Mother, nurse, soldier who inspired 'Steph Strong' running team dies