Run GCA Race Team
This West Virginia native is a Boston Qualifying marathoner who originally took up running to stay fit. This Mom of 3, now lives and trains in the foothills of NC with her husband and Adventure Team member Justin Collins. Her favorite distance is the Half Marathon to Full Marathon. Notable PR's include 1:40:55 in the Half Marathon and 3:34:00 in the full.
Meghan Collins
For Ashley, running changed her life physically and mentally. It cleared her mind, made her stronger, and more confident. Even though Ashley is a fierce competitor, she mainly runs for the joy, freedom, and self empowerment it gives her. In her own words, "I run to socialize, I run to push myself, I run because I can. Running has taught me to keep fighting, to keep pushing forward, to never give up, especially in the most painful moments in life."
Ashley's favorite distance to race is the Half Marathon.
Ashley Sumner
Alicia started running in high school and hasn't stopped since. In those days she ran the 4x400, 4x800 and did the triple jump/long jump. Alicia prefers the marathon to the shorter distances. In her words, "There is something magical about the marathon when all of the training comes together and you have that perfect race." Alicia was born with underdeveloped lungs and therefore has asthma, so it was odd that running would become the sport she is the most passionate about. In her words, "The more anyone told me I couldn’t do it, the more I wanted to prove them wrong!" 7 years ago, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and running became even more important to her, because she knew it could be taken away at any moment. She is grateful for all that running and racing has brought into her life and she still has some pretty big personal goals that she wants to accomplish, namely a new marathon PR. Her most valued racing achievements came in 2016, when she won every race distance from the 5k to the 50k in the same year. That year and since Alicia is the only woman in the history of the Derby 50k to outright win it overall.
Alicia Rider
Amlia started running in 2010 when she was in college. In her words, "it was a good outlet for me to relieve stress and clear my mind." When Amilia entered her first 5k she fell in love with the sport, the friendships made, the traininig and hard work it takes to race and the healthy competition. Amelia loves the long distance running best and her goal for 2018 is to conquer the marathon.
Amelia Holt
Sydney Haynes began running when her brother and fellow Run GCA Race Team Member Kendall Haynes took her and her twin brother and also Run GCA teammate to Cross Country practice when they were in the sixth grade. Sydney fell in love with the sport and has been running ever since. Sydney holds many female records at Carroll County High School. Sydney's favorite races from 5k to Half Marathon and she recently debuted in the Half Marathon by not only going 1:39:00 on a course featuring over 2000 feet of vertical gain, but taking the overall female victory.
Sydney Haynes
Kendall started running when he was in 8th grade. After a stellar High School Career Kendall went on to run XC for Bluefield College, and became the first athlete to qualify for the NCCAA National Championship from the college. Since, Kendall is now the head coach at Bluefield College XC. Although Kendall will be making his marathon debut soon, his favorite distances to race are 5k and Half Marathon.
Kendall Haynes
Like his twin sister Sydney, Samuel got into running when he was in 5-6th grade, when his brother and fellow Run GCA Team Members took him to XC practice. Being the younger brother, seeing what his brothers were doing made him want to do it as well. Samuel quickly started to develop a talent for the sport. Samuel holds many High School records and and his favorite distances to race are the 5k-10k.
Samuel Haynes
Justin Atkins currently live and trains near Dobson, NC. He began running in early 2016, but eventhough he is "new" to the sport, he quickly developed a strong talent for the sport. Justin's favorite distances to race are the 5K and Half Marathon. In his own words about being a member of Run GCA, "I am lucky to be a part of this running group and have made a lot of great friends in the process." We feel the same way Justin!
Justin Atkins
Landon Nowlin is 40 years old and hails from Stuart, VA. Finding running in his early 30’s, he has worked his way up from running 5Ks, to marathons and 50K races. One of Landon’s biggest milestones to date was placing 23rd overall in the 2017 Blue Ridge Marathon, which is billed as “America’s toughest road marathon.” Landon can literally race anything from 5k's to trail Ultra Marathons and race them well.
Landon Nowlin
Danny first began running in high school where he ran competitively for Patrick County High School in VA, where he ran both cross country and track and was a stand out athlete in both sports. In college, Danny stopped running after swearing he would never do it again. Years later, Danny ran just to throw in some cardio to supplement his weight lifting. In 2014, he started to run competitively again. Since then, Danny ran his first marathon in November 2017 in Richmond, VA. He finished in 2:55:14 and secured a Boston qualifier for 2019 with over a 20 minute cushion. Danny typically likes to run anything from 5k’s up to 25k’s, but he plans to make another attempt at a sub 2:50 marathon in the near future. Danny's current best times are: 5k: 17:17, 10k: 37:02, Half: 1:19, 25k: 1:40, Marathon: 2:55. One of Danny's biggest accomplishments came in the 2017 Greensboro Race Series along with over 10,000 other runners, Danny finished 3rd overall and won my age group.
Danny McCormick
Lupe began running when he decided to incorportate running between workouts at the gym. Lupe started entering local 5K's and became addicted. Through Lupe's running he has inspired others to begin running. Lupe's favorite distance for now is the 1/2 Marathon. In his picture is one of his favorite moments thus far during his 2nd 1/2 marathon. Lupe placed 2nd in his age group in a massive field with a time of 1:32:02
Lupe Luna
One of 4 Haynes sibling on the Run GCA Race Team and one of our newest members, Jacob became a runner when his high school P.E. teacher recruited him for the high jump at Carroll County High School. After listening to his father whom suggested that he try some of the distance events (2006-2008), he soon discovered high jump wasn't his event, but instead loved running the 2 mile. After High School, Jacob went on to run several semesters as a walk-on at Bridgewater College (2008-2010). His favorite race distances are the 5k and the 1/2 Marathon.
Jacob Haynes
Andrew Peddy began running after college in order to lose weight. Things go real when he signed up for the New York Marathon and to his surprise was accepted. This catapulted Andrew into not only a serious dedication training, but a passion for the pushing his limits. He is currently on a quest for 50 marathons in 50 states, and he has completed 12 states so far. In the past couple years he has been working on improving his marathon time. His biggest goal for the near future is to earn Boston Qualifying time, as well as tackling the Yeti 100 mile Ultra Marathon.
Andrew Peddy
Gary Golding is a former Cat 1 mountain biker and was the 2008 SERC Cat 2 Champion. He is also the owner of Greenfront Properties who is partnered with Run GCA to create the Run GCA Race Team. Gary still enjoys cycling, but has focused more of his efforts on running. Gary is most always on the age group podium and is a strong runner who is versatile in distances. Gary's favorite distances are the 5k to the 1/2 Marathon.
Gary Golding
Darrell Dickerson only knows hard work, whether it is in real life or in training. You will not find a grittier, more determined runner anywhere. Darrell is a strong runner and really shines in the Half Marathon distance. His work ethic is second to none. If you get up early enough in the morning, you can see Darrell training hard in the Foothills of NC along with his friends and fellow teammates. Darrell is excited for some upcoming races, notably Darrell will be tackling the White Water Center Half Marathon in Charlotte, NC.