The final nominee for the 2012 Fleet Feet Racing Team Huntsville Athlete of the Year (AOY) is
Kathy Youngren. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner, but first read below on the stupendous year that helped Kathy earn these honors.
Kathy had an amazing year, posting actual or near personal bests in almost every distance from 5k to 50 mile. While running more than two dozen races in 2012, she posted double digit wins and placed among top finishers almost every weekend. Kathy has been running for nearly 20 years after competing in her first race, which was a marathon. She thrives on running ultra distances and in her spare time works at Fleet Feet and volunteers much of her time toward running and coaching. Kathy has been a long term fixture on the Fleet Feet Racing Team since inception in 2003.
Feb 13
Mercedes Half Marathon - 1:31:28 (21st overall, 3rd age group)
March 5
New Orleans Marathon - 3:17:12 which placed her 162nd of 3657 total, 2nd in her age group and 19th female overall.
March 13
Delano 50 Miler - Broke her own record by running 6:56:29 for 50 miles, making her once again the fastest woman to ever run that distance in the State of Alabama. Only 4 women have ever ran under 8 hours and Kathy has the two fastest times (7:06:59 last year and the first woman to break 7 hours!) and with her time this weekend is now faster than any other woman in the state by 41 minutes, 29 seconds.
April 10
HTC Scholarship 8km Fund Run – 33:59, second female and 11th overall.
April 11
Double Helix Dash – 20:18, second place female
April 22
Cookie Dash 5km – 19:59, top female, 10th overall
May 2
National Cornbread Festival 5km - one of the top female finishers
May 5
Strolling Jim 40 Miler – 6:04:35, top female, 7th overall
May 22
Xterra Oak Mountain Trail Marathon – 3:58:33, overall female winner
June 10
Mountain Mania 15km – 1:09:33. top female, 3rd place overall
June 17
Moon Pie / RC Cola 10-miler - 2nd female overall in 1:08:58.
August 29
Running of the Bulls - 20:18, 2nd place female
Sept 12
Redstone Arsenal 9.11km Commemorative run – Female winner, 5th overall in 38:10
Oct 2
Elkmont Lions Club 10km - O overall female winner in 43:06.
Oct 15
Fleet Feet 15k – State champion, 1:04:49, top female, 13th overall
Oct 19
Liz Hurley 5k - 2nd overall in 19:04
Nov 1
Spooktacular 5k – Top female in 19:01
Nov 6
Sherri Adams Pink Ribbon 5k Run - , Kathy Youngren had her best 5km ever, lowering her personal record to 18:38 and finishing 2nd overall.
Nov 11
Huntsville Half marathon – 2nd female overall in 1:29:11
Nov 19
Dizzy 50K – Three way tie for 1st in 5;14:57
Dec 12
Rocket City Marathon – 6 pacer
Though originally from Texas, James moved to Alabama in 1992 for two years before returning to Texas and then back to Huntsville in 2000. Along with his wife Michelle, they have two children and have been a prominent part of the community ever since. James is entering is 4th decade of running and owns a sub 5-minute personal best in the mile and a sub 22:30 100-mile personal best. James is the race director for the Huntsville Track Club's Alabama A&M 5k cross country race and has been heavily involved in the local triathlon scene in racing and coaching. 
The 2012 Fleet Feet Racing Team Athlete of the Year is Kathy Youngren. Kathy was selected for this honor based on votes from the team.