BOSTON – Cherokee Nation citizen and former Supreme Court Justice Shawna S. Baker became one of the first Six Star Finishers from the Cherokee Nation after crossing the finish line at the Boston Marathon recently.
A Six Star Finisher is an accolade reserved for athletes who have completed all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Baker joins approximately 21,700 others from around the globe to run all six of the World Marathons, with the finishers hailing from 164 countries around the globe.
Baker recently completed her term as a Justice on the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court and joined Cherokee Nation Businesses’ legal team. She was originally appointed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. in August 2020 to complete the term of the late Justice Lynn Burris.
“I am proud of former Justice Baker for completing the coveted Abbott Marathon Majors, and also for her dedication to continuing to inspire other Cherokees,” said Chief Hoskin. “She has spent several years working on her World Marathon journey, so I commend her dedication and commitment to reaching this milestone.”
Each route of the marathon was more than 26 miles long. Baker concluded her efforts at what she called the “most iconic of all marathons” in Boston on April 21.
“I am truly blessed and am full of pride for this milestone moment,” said Baker. “It is humbling to join with citizens from around the globe for one extraordinary race: the Boston Marathon. Our differences do not define us. For a few short hours, we unite as runners experiencing the adrenaline and anticipation of the starting line, the roaring cheers of the crowd and heartbreak on the hills, and finally, the exhilaration of victory of the finish line.”
Baker began her Six Star journey on November 7, 2021, in New York City for the New York Marathon’s 50th anniversary. She then participated in the Chicago Marathon in 2022, Berlin Marathon in 2023, London Marathon in 2024, and earlier in 2025, the Tokyo Marathon.
Six Star Finishers on average take eight years and four months to complete all six of the World Marathons, though Baker completed the challenge in three years and five months.
A number of Baker’s friends, including some who joined Baker as a 2024 Cherokee Nation Remember the Removal Bike Ride participant, joined her in Boston to celebrate the milestone in April. Baker participated in the 2024 RTR bike ride program as a mentor rider.
She has also completed multiple 140.6 Ironman triathlons, the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim challenge and numerous other endurance challenges.