Kevin McCartney – Featured Runner of the Week

Kevin McCartney – Featured Runner of the Week

This week is our 14th edition of our favorite weekly post! Kevin McCartney – Featured Runner of the Week is another amazing spotlight and we are honored to feature him here. The aim of having a Featured Runner of the Week is not to necessarily single out any individuals but we want to feature runners who through their uniqueness may one day inspire you to run or reach for new running highs. Every runner has broken their own barriers, whether it was the first big obstacle to take the first running step or entering a race. Each runner will have their own story and to most these stories to others are very inspiring.

We welcome your feedback and nominations of runners who you feel deserve to be featured here. Our Featured Runner of the Week is selected at random. Every runner deserves to be mentioned and we will do our best to select a wide field of runners to bring their stories for you to enjoy.

This week we feature another amazing local runner who can also be found helping Beaufort’s runners right here at Grounded Running. Kevin has recently joined the Grounded Running Team and has been a great addition. Let’s take a few minutes and get to know Kevin McCartney.

Kevin McCartney – Featured Runner of the Week

Name: Kevin McCartneyKevin McCartney - Featured Runner of the Week

Age: 32

Where are you originally from? Houston, Texas

What is your favorite distance to race? Why? The marathon is my favorite distance because it is a gathering of individuals seeking the physical and mental challenges that are needed to complete the race.

What originally got you into running? Running began while I was in high school and continued afterward during my nine years in the Marines Corps.  After losing a friend of mine in Afghanistan in 2014, I decided to step it up and began running in events honoring his name… and I have not stopped yet.

What is your main motivation to keep going? My two children are my biggest motivation.  I not only want to keep myselfKevin McCartney - Featured Runner of the Week healthy and fit, but I also want to instill the importance of keeping active to them.

When you’re not running, what do you do? When I am not racing, I enjoy the time with my two boys most of all.  I enjoy traveling and volunteering at the VA hospital in Charleston when I get the opportunity.

What is your next race? My next race WAS the Marine Corps Marathon in October, but a couple of individuals I’ve recently met nicely convinced me to sign up for the Homestead 10x5k in August.

Describe your perfect run: Mid 60’s with a little cloud cover and running on a shaded trail with nature around me.

What piece of advice do you have for someone who is just starting out? I always tell those who ask me about running is to finish that first 5K, fight the mental battles, and better yourself from there.

What has been the single greatest thing you have gotten back from running? Meeting the great people within the running community.

Goals for this year? My goal this year is to prepare myself for ultra-races and hopefully run my first 50 miler sometime in 2018.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story this week Kevin! You continue to inspire those around you through your support of the local running community and the next generation of runners! Keep up the great work and we wish you the best of luck this year! #staygrounded #runbeaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

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