Date of Birth: August 1, 1974
City: Huntsville, Alabama
Blog/Website: kathyyoungren@blogspot.com
Twitter: @kathyyoungren
Brief Biography
I ran my very first race, the Marine Corp Marathon, in 1995. After running my third race ever, Strolling Jim 41.2 miler in Tennessee in 1996, I have been running races whenever possible; from 1 mile to 100 miles but I prefer ultramarathons. In 1999 I had the 5th fastest women’s 100 mile time, and recently, I was the first female at the Mother Road 100 miler in Oklahoma by running 20 hours, 57 minutes. In July of 2009, by running for 33 hours and 39 minutes, I was 5th female overall at the Badwater Ultramarathon - 135 miles through Death Valley. In March of 2010, I was top female (2nd overall) at the Antarctica Marathon, with the only sub 4 hour female finish, ever. Lastly. in Sept., 2010 I got to run my dream race, the Spartathlon, a 153 mile race from Athens to Sparta, Greece by running 33 hours and 36 minutes. I have a law degree, a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, and a Master's Degree in Education. I have the two most wonderful dogs, Trails and Cairo.
Short Term Goals
I an running a 212km (131 mile) race in Hungary in June, in which I would like to hit the 100 mile mark in under 20 hours, for a 100 mile PR. I would also like to run under 7 hours for a 50 mile race.
Long Term Goals
In the next few years, Rob and I want to pull a sled through snow and sub-freezing temperatures in the Arrowhead 135 Mile Winter Ultra in northern MN. I would also like to run a sub 30 hour time at the Badwater Ultramarathon, and run a race in Africa while on a safari.
Personal Records
- 1 Mile at Jimmy Vest Memorial Mile on Time 5:46 - 1st female
- 2 Mile at Winter Winds Time 12:25
- 5km at Run for Glory Time 18:46 - 1st female
- 4 Mile at Winter Winds Time 26:42
- 10km at River City Time 39:43
- 15km at Monte Sano Time 1:03:00
- Half Marathon at Huntsville Half Time 1:2913
- Marathon at Rocket City Time 3:07:00
- 50km at Mississippi Time 4:20 - 1st woman
- 50 Mile at Delano on 3/2010 Time 7:06:00 - 1st female, 2nd overall
- 100 Mile at Vermont 100 on Time 20:11:00 - 2nd female, 7th overall
- Other at Spartathlon 246km on 09/2010 Time 33:35:00 - 5th female; only American finisher
Goal Races
- Mountain Mist, 50k, Jan, 2012
- Ultrabalaton, Hungary, 131 miles, June, 2012
- Strolling Jim 40, 41.2 miles, May, 2012
- Some 50 miler in the fall
A fun fact others might not know
I won a cartwheel-a-thon years ago by turning 505 cartwheels without stopping. I guess I have always had the inner ultrarunner in me.
How have you been an ambassador to the sport of running?
Besides being an avid runner, I am also a dedicated volunteer. I support the local running community by either participating in or volunteering at most local races. I am also the Treasurer of the Huntsville Track Club, as I have been for the last 7 years. I love to give back to a running community that has given me so much.