FALMOUTH, MASS. >> Her days as a runner ended prematurely because of a back injury. Jennifer Edwards’ love for the sport, though, burns like an inferno.

Edwards was named executive director for the Big Sur Marathon Foundation on Tuesday. She will oversee the annual Big Sur Marathon as well as numerous other projects for the nonprofit organization.

Edwards has spent the past 15 years as executive director for the Falmouth Road Race Inc. in a Massachusetts community 5 miles from Martha’s Vineyard with a population of roughly 45,000.

Having raised a family in Falmouth for nearly 20 years, Edwards said encouragement from her son sold her on coming out west.

“My son was 3 when we moved out here,” Edwards said. “Now he’s 21. I’ve actually never lived outside the New England area. He told me to get out and go. ‘I’ll come visit.’

“There are so many similarities with both organizations,” Edwards said. “The communities are small and on the coast, with beautiful iconic courses. Their missions are aligned.”

The 39th Big Sur Marathon, regarded as one of the more scenic and challenging marathon courses in the world, is slated for April 27.

“We couldn’t be more excited about Jennifer joining our team,” Big Sur Marathon Board Chair Dino Pick said. “She impressed everyone on our board with her experience and vision for the future, especially our community engagement.”

While no longer a runner, Edwards has a passion for the sport, feeding off the energy of runners while putting herself right in the heart of a tightly net community.

“I love the excitement of runners coming together for one common goal and a sense of satisfaction that every runner experiences collectively at the end,” Edwards said. “I feed off that. I love looking at it through their eyes.”

Edwards replaces Josh Priester, who held the position for nearly two years before resigning for family reasons. The world-renowned Big Sur Marathon has been held every year since 1986, except in 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic forced its cancellation.

A former cross-country and track athlete in high school, Edwards is still a fitness nut, with hikes, walks and yoga. “I do all sorts of fun stuff,” Edwards said. “But someone needs to run the event so everyone else can enjoy the moment.”

Edwards, a University of Massachusetts graduate, will remain in Falmouth to help with the transition before boarding a plane for Monterey on Feb. 8. She’ll start Feb. 10

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Edwards said. “There are so many similarities between Falmouth and Monterey. But it opens a whole new opportunity for professional growth.”

What convinced Edwards to take the position was the importance that her role has in the community, as she will also oversee and manage the Monterey Bay Half Marathon.

Edwards is also expected to manage the organization’s youth fitness programs, including the Palo Corona cross-country course, which hosts major high school and college meets and will partner with the Boys and Girls Club to provide a summer fitness program.

“These people take pride in what they’re able to bring to the area,” Edwards said. “My job is to support that. It’s exactly what I have done in Falmouth. Everything I’ve learned is what I intend to bring to Big Sur.”

Edwards will also oversee the Blistering Pace Race Management team, led by Race Director Michelle La Sala. Having partnered with the Big Sur Marathon Foundaton in 2016, Blistering Pace is responsible for the oversight of all race operations for both the Big Sur Marathon and Monterey Bay Half Marathon.

“My job is to help grow the organization,” Edwards said “My job is to connect with the community. I’m excited to promote health and wellness in this community.”

The hard part for Edwards is leaving a job where she has made many friends in the community, raised her son and loved her job.

“It is hard to leave this network,” Edwards said. “But I think I will find the exact same reception out there. I felt so welcomed when I was out there for six days. I wasn’t sure about a big move. But by the time I left, I felt it was the right choice.”