Our latest Rough Runners Shoutout goes to Mary Owen, an amazing lady that we simply adore and admire tremendously. Mary is a Rough Runner through and through. She has the biggest heart, she’s driven like a champion and, has the grit and determination to follow through and finish what she starts.
Mary, as a volunteer at Rough Runners events is simply the best! Several times, the last few years, Mary has driven from Wilmington Island in Savannah, Ga to Hilton Head Island, SC just to help with the parking for the Daufuskie Island Marathon and Half. What an incredible act of love and kindness from Mary! At every Rough Runners race she has run (and there are many!), she always pushes herself to over achieve. She always has a big smile and hug to anyone she comes across. A couple of years ago, a runner got lost on the course of one of our races and she found the runner and stayed with her until they both finished together. This is the kind of wonderful person she is.
Earlier this year, Mary cranked out a 100 miler at the Dark Anchor 34 hour ultra at Wormsloe. Mary is an unstoppable force of good, always pushing her boundaries in true Rough Runners style. Our local running community is so much richer because of Mary Owen. She is a crucial string holding the tapestry of our running community together snuggly and powerfully.
In her words…
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Hi, my name is Mary Owen. I am from Maple Heights, Ohio, I am the middle kid, 2 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. Mom and dad where hard working first generation Slovenians. My grandparent’s, both sides, came over from Yugoslavia and settled in Cleveland. They owned a butcher shop, went to a Slovenian church, grew up with the Slovenian National Home, bowling and polkas. I swam in high school, played basketball, softball and bowled.
Met my husband and we traveled mostly US and Europe moving from bases to base, -most grateful for the way of life. The children are doing great, both teachers, they live outside of Georgia. I’m a grandma of three.
I was the caterer for the Officer Clubs and needed to change professions. When we arrived stateside in Fayetteville NC, -Pope AFB, I enrolled in a surgical Technology program, not sure what that was and boy did I enjoy this new profession. Husband was retiring from the military and planning to move to Savannah since his dad lived here. I been going to college for years: accounting degree, applied science degree, now a surgical tech degree. I decided to become the nurse and put all those credits to use. Graduated Technical College of the Low Country, -awesome program. Completed my BSN online, then MSN.
During my capstone research for graduation I research Savannah food dessert and the health of the community.
During that time Rock and Roll marathon first year, I volunteered at med tent on the marathon route, what an eye opener. The day was amazing. There was no stereotyping here, -short, thin, fat, some trained, some runners stated no training. Soon after the RNR a WTOC new reporter was doing a get fit series and I signed up for my research. For the month of December we meet at different parks throughout Savannah. A completely free event, I won!! The prizes; are you ready for this: -Fleet feet with Robert Espinoza gave a year of running events and a new pair of running shoes I said “ what is a Fleet feet ”. A few months passed I graduated with my MSN, and thought let me see what this gift was about. Robert measured for my first pair of running shoes; and signed me up for how to run in 30 days with Lidia. Our goal event was the I mile Memorial Day event.
Completed the event with a group of wonderful runners. Our next goal was that year’s RNR half marathon and we did it, thank you, Laura. I embarked on the full marathons; Skidaway, RNR, and other local events.
Fleet feet offered physical therapy with Ernie. Well Robert and Ernie, both Ironman athletes, got me thinking if I could do it, I did half ironman not well but I finished and, still alive. That was my goal to stay alive and enjoy cold Coors lite, resets my carbs.
Completed sprints at the landings, Charleston with She-Tris, -great organization.
Meeting Dan and his rough runners and running for a reason was just amazing. Dan, Kerry and Jason are amazing. Volunteering is what got me hooked, -Chase the Sun on Wilmington Island and, loved it. There’s no judging in ultra. I then volunteered for the event at Fort Pulaski (Savannah Rails to Trails 50k) that same year. I signed up for 12 hour event at the diary farm (DFL 24hr Ultra), Thunderbolt, finished my very first ultra with 32 miles. After each event I learn something about myself and what I need to survive. I also have completed the much loved Savannah Urban Ultra 50k and SSOD.
I’m also a Savannah Striders member but they run to fast for me…
Running milestone: TRR 120 miles 20,000 feet of gain my first buckle in Colorado. The covid year, I did a virtual 120 miles on Wilmington Island for 6 days (that was actually first buckle). Then, in January 2024, my first Yeti 101 miles and buckle. Thank you, Sarah, for the best words every “don’t sit down”.
Training: I run, I walk, I run/walk I follow different plans. I’m currently following the Disney Dopey program. I currently run 3 to 4 days a week with the long miles on weekends.
I work full time. I just make time for me; it helps with stress, my mental health. I go to the gym for the strength workout, that helps, – I hate flab or, should I say, wave under my arms.
I am older now. Wait! I was in my fifties when I started this running thing…
3 upcoming goals: January another 34 hour event, plans on doing TransRockies in Canada and staying a alive.
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Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Mary. She is such a blessing to us here at Run 4 a Reason | Rough Runners. We are so proud and honored to call her our friend and, to have her be such an integral part of Rough Runners and the Savannah and Greater are community of runners.
Take care, be well and run happy!
lots of love…
