Ginny Kelly has been hooked on running ever since she was a kid jogging beside her football coach dad in Oxford, Mississippi. A member of a state champion cross country team at Oxford High School, her youthful pastime has become an adult passion.
Kelly, who is regional director of the Land Trust for Tennessee and wife of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, is an avid trail and road runner. She is also part owner of Bad Beard Events, which manages some of the premiere races in the Tennessee Valley. Although she has been sidelined some this year by foot surgery, a typical running regimen for her is 40 to 50 miles per week.
Here, in her words, are observations about the community of runners in the Chattanooga area, the city's growing reputation as a trail running mecca and advice for those aspiring to hit the road (or the trail) for the first time in 2022.
> "When I moved to Chattanooga (11 years ago), a new world opened up for me to be able to run with groups, whether it was road running or trail running. These runners became my closest friends."
> "We've created this culture in the trail running community: If you have a goal, we'll help you meet it, and we are going to be with you every step of the way."
> "It doesn't matter if I want to run a 5K or 100 miles, there are people who are willing not only to support me but train me, come race with me, send me texts."
> "People know this area as one of the premiere (trail running) spots in the Southeast. We are so lucky to be surrounded by mountains - and then, within 30 to 40 miles, to be able to hop on other beautiful parts of the Cumberland Trail, too."
> "One of the jobs I have with the Land Trust is that our current focus is on Walden's Ridge Park, which will be front-facing trails on Signal Mountain. It will include downhill trails for bikers and hikers, and 12 miles of trails for runners."
> "I loved running so much I became a Road Runners Club of America coach in 2017. Most of the stuff I do is for friends. If there is somebody who has never been a runner but wants to do a couch-to-5K, I'll send them a plan and help them out with their project."
> "(For beginners) start low and slow. Low mileage, take your time. Find some friends that are interested in getting out there with you. You don't always have to run the whole way. You can stop and walk, and that's totally fine."
> "The biggest thing you can do is just get yourself out the door and get started. Walking outside and hitting the trail is about the best thing you can do for yourself mental heathwise. It gives you the freedom to get your thoughts in order. There is so much magic to being outdoors. It's like nothing else."
> "I had surgery in April, (and) I'm trying to get myself back in running shape. I've never really not run. What I missed more than anything were the friendships. Missing time with my friends was really hard."
> "I've run three road marathons and all three of those have been the New York Marathon. At each of those marathons, I've met someone riding on the bus that I've stayed friends with. I love that race so much because of the diversity of it."
> "The first year I did (NYC), we were about three miles from the finish and there were these guys holding up signs that said, "Would your rather suffer, or would your rather have a beer?" I said, "I want the beer." I just drank 12 ounces of beer and continued my run. (Laughs.) That's a trail running thing."