In mid 1980's Gerald Gergley, a former Ironman and UCF Professor introduced me to the world of road racing. His dedication, passion and inspiration for triathlons and running was amazing and contagious. My first race was the NCNB 5K on the campus of UCF. Since then I have completed numerous full marathons (including NYC, Chicago, LA and Boston), half marathons, 10K's (including 26 consecutive Peachtree Road Races) and so many 5K's I have lost count. Internationally I have completed 10K's in Dubai and Moscow. I may not be as fast when I started running, but I'm thankful for Coach Gergley's inspiration to what has been a fantastic journey to date!

My dad is my inspiration for running. I remember growing up he was training to qualify for the Boston marathon, he ran all the time. One of my greatest memories was going to see him finish the Inaugural Disney Marathon. He crossed the finish line while my sister and I cheered him on. Once we met up with him, he let me wear his medal and I felt like I was on top of the world! Now I am in my twenties and started running too, the 20 year anniversary Disney marathon was approaching so I registered. I had never run farther than 13 miles, but I was determined to do it for my father. Now an even greater memory is seeing my dad cheering ME on at the 20 year anniversary Disney marathon while wearing HIS Disney marathon medal. He was so proud to see me accomplish the same thing he did 20 years earlier, I have never seen him so happy! I proudly have our medals displayed right next to each other with a photo of us in 1994 and one of us in 2013 - Both photos I was the one wearing the bling ;)

The reason why I run is in memory of a friend, Ben, who passed away of colon cancer at the young age of 26 in 2006. Our friendship started in kindergarten and continued until his passing. He was a cross-country runner and ran track as well. What's the best way to honor him and to remember him but to run. I made a promised to myself that I would run my first half marathon in his memory in my 30th year and I haven't looked. I had a minor mishap with a broken ankle but I was able to walk my first half marathon but the following races I joined Galloway, trained appropriately and continued to run. I was never a runner before this and now 5 years later it's a passion of mine. When I feel like I have nothing else to give in a race I remember the reason why I started running and it gives me the burst of energy I need to cross the finish line. Thanks Ben!!

I was urged to run by my dear friend, Meredith Cohen who just turned 85 last week. When I was 29, he told me since I weighed 200 pounds,that if I didn't start running, I would be dead before I was 45. I remember going to the WP High School Track and running in my Converse All-Stars. Less than six month later, I told Meredith that I was going to run the inaugural Tangerine Bowl Half Marathon. He bet me a steak dinner (before I was a vegetarian), I couldn't finish the race. Here we are 37 years later and I'm still running.

My daughter was searching for an activity that her 6 year old son would enjoy. He participated in several Kiddie Runs and enjoyed them, but they didn't seem to be challenging enough. Christy then enrolled him in the Hunter's 4th of July Watermelon Run 5K, but realized that he needed an adult companion. She enrolled herself and casually said, "Oh, by the way, Mom, I've enrolled you, too!" This was my introduction at age 63 to the world of running (OK, walking fast!)and you know what? I like it! So the grandmother's inspiration was a first grader! An old lady completing 5 kilometers in the Florida summertime? It must be love!

You may catch me at a Track Shack run wearing a shirt that says "I Run For Those Who Fly Beside Me." It was while running down a brick road during the 2013 Winter Park Road Race that I had this realization. I don't necessarily love running and I'm not the fastest runner, but I'm motivated to get out of bed at 5:30, get dressed, tie my shoes and head our the door for a run by those who no longer have the ability to participate in this hobby that has truly changes my life. Two of my biggest influences are my sister, Kellie, who went from being a perfectly healthy 18 year old to passing away unexpectedly within a week, and 10 years later the cause is still a mystery. The other person who I can credit for helping me start running is my best friend, Katie, who passed away in a car accident at the age of 19. I know my two angels are watching over me, and when times get tough and I want to quit because it's too hot or I'm just not feeling it that day, they send me a sign to encourage me to keep pushing through! When I first started running I struggled to complete my first one the U Can Finish 2 miler, I finished my first half, the OUC Half Marathon just under 2 hours and could not run the whole thing, my pace a year after starting to run was around 8:30-9:30 minutes depending on the length of the run. I am happy to say through my inspiring angels I PRed at the Celebration of Running 5k this weekend with a 20:26 finish time, and with a 6:37/mile pace, I finally met my latest goal of finishing under a 7 minute pace! Next goal to cross off my list: completing a half marathon every month this year, which I am on track to accomplish, and complete Dopey in January!

jiM inspired me the most. I didn't think I could do this, but he was right.

My inspiration came from when I volunteered for my first WDW Half Marathon, well before runDisney and the running boom we see today. I was assigned to bag pick-up which then was old school with a bunch of buses that had runner's bags strewn about front to back with no order. My OCD spidy senses were tingling. After organizing the bus to something manageable, runners began to show. They came to our bus in as many shapes, sizes, and ages as we have colors, models, and brands of shoes to choose from. Many were not your typical athletic bodies that I had expected to see. What they all shared was that “I did it!” medal worn proudly across their face for all to see. I wanted to feel that joy. I wanted to be able to call myself a runner too!

Hi Alissa, I just tried uploading a profile picture while setting up a username and was able to do it. You might need to resize your image to make it a bit smaller. We can edit the username but if you would like to share a picture, please email it to info@trackshack.com. Thanks!

I have a lot of inspiration! I have been running since high school many years ago but that was just 2-3 miles as part of my work out, no actual goal for anything long distance until I had my daughter and did my first 5k race, a few years after I joined a running club but wasn't as active not having much in common with them (most were triathletes). Through one of those members, I was introduced to Moms Run this Town and met the most amazing group of women, moms and friends a runner could ask for. They have been my motivation to run further and I have completed 3 half marathons and countless other races in little over a year! Also I have decided to get involved in childrens running programs to pass on the love of running to the little ones.

I tried to add a picture to my profile. I would love to show you Dominick but I couldn't figure out how.

I started running in February and in all honesty, I inspired me to run. Don't stop reading, that was the beginning. I started running when my life started to spin out of control and to be perfectly honest, I was running away in some sense. Then I grew to associate myself as a runner. I took pride in it and felt strong and capable. Fast forward a couple of months and I received a call from my best friend that her son who has cerebral palsy and struggles to walk was a candidate for a life changing surgery that would help him not only walk but to run. Problem is, the insurance denied the claim as it was not seen as a life threatening surgery and now my friend was faced with raising 34,000 dollars. It seamed an impossible task but I turned to what has solved problems for me over and over again and knew that somehow running could be the answer. After speaking with my friend I sat out to host a virtual 5k called, "I run for Dominick". My goal was 1,000 dollars as I had never done a virtual run before and I only know so many people. We set up the event 3 days ago and in our first 3 days we have almost 100 people signed up to "Run for Dominick". With so much support I will surpass my 1,000 dollar goal and manage to make a nice dent in the large sum she is faced with. I cannot earn it all, though I wish I could. But, what I am giving her is hope. Just today she sent a picture to me of Dominick participating in his virtual 5K and he walked half a mile with many breaks. So I started to running for me but I continue to run for Dominick. This week I ran my longest distance yet, 7 miles. I thought the whole time about the struggles Dom has, the obstacles he faces and it made my little aches and pains easily conquered. I run for Dominick.