Race Team Member Kris Whorton

Kris Whorton
Age: 44
Occupation: University English Lecturer

I was raised in Boulder, Colorado and attended the University there. I grew up backpacking, and cross-country skiing, and with a healthy love for spending time outdoors. Since the Mesa Trail was literally just out my backdoor, trail running seemed a logical pursuit. Plus it was 1978 and I was in Boulder...what else was I supposed to do? I entered my first road race in the early 90s, and my first ultra with my husband Randy in 1995. We love to travel to run and have competed in marathons and multi-day events throughout the U.S. and Europe. We moved to the south in 1997, and love the challenging trails and year round access. I teach English at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and also enjoy climbing, scuba diving, reading, gardening, and playing with my dogs.

Lifelong Running Goals:
To run into my 80s, if I live that long. To be healthy and enjoy as many of those miles as possible. To experience new places and introduce trails to as many people as possible.

Favorite Run or Race:
I’m not sure I have a favorite run because I love running wherever I go, but the diversity of the trails around Chattanooga, especially Skyuka Springs trail, Bluff trail, Edwards Point loop, and Mullins Cove loop, inspires me everyday that I go out. I’m typically a big fan of new trails and I love running abroad but there are many places I run that are “touchstone” trails, places I need to run somet, , imes just to feel, right in the world. The Mesa Trail in Boulder, Colorado where I grew up and went to college is one place, Slick Rock in, Moab, Utah; various trails in the Indian Peaks in Color, ado; and any trail on Monte Sano in Huntsville, Alabama are others.

What I love most about running:
Running makes me feel connected and grateful and it helps me keep things in perspective; regardless of my training some runs are challenging and I feel terrible and others feel like I am floating across the earth. The uncertainty is a constant reminder for me to be open to every experience and to be present.

"I love the feeling I have for days after a long run or race where it seems there is nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it. And I love that I get stronger, mentally and physically with age, that running gives me more joy now than ever before, and that I can go out any day and run virtually any distance I want."

Tips for other runners:
Enjoy yourself when you’re out running and if you get to the point where you’re not having fun anymore, take a day or two, or a week, and then get back out there and look around and celebrate the fact that you are alive and able to run.

2009 Races
Master’s win at Mountain Mist 50k- 10th finish
2nd female/Master’s win at Black Warrior 50k
Master’s win at Southern 6k
Second female/master’s win/4th overall at Umstead 100 (set new national 100 mile trail record for female master’s runner)
Other Significant Accomplishments:

9 - 100 milers including:

New 2009 Female Masters Course Record for Umstead 100
1st female Pinhoti 2008
1st Master’s Female Superior Sawtooth 2008
2nd Master’s Female Vermont 2008
2nd Female Umstead 2007 - 18:13 / world’s fastest 100 mile trail time for female over 40
2nd female Arkansas Traveler 2005
1st female Kettle Moraine 2002

55 ultras, including:

1st female and master’s course record Mountain Mist 50K 2007; 1st Master’s female 2006, 2007, 2008.
1st female and course record Black , Warrior 50K 2006, 2007, 2008
Master’s female winner, Shadow of the Giants 50K 2008
1st female and course record Recover from the Holidays 50K 2006, 2007
1st female and course record StumpJump 50K 2007
1st female course record Oak Mountain 50K 2001

Multi-day events:

7-day Stage Race 219 trail miles from Geneva to Basil Switzerland (Swiss Jura) - 3rd female 2006
7-day Stage Race 184 trail miles in the Czech Republic (Moravian Ultra Mar, athon) - 2nd female 2007

29 marathons including:

1st female overall Andrew Jackson Marathon 2008
1st female overall Chickamauga 2006
1st master’s female Kentucky Derby 2006
3rd female overall Oklahoma City 2001

Miscellaneous:

Ironman Florida 2001
Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim 2007 (47 miles)

2010 Events Planned:
As many Rock/Creek Trail Series races as possible including:
Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race & Lookout 100k
Some adventure runs in Arizona, Colorado, and Tennessee
Black Warrior 50k
Mississippi 50
and I'd like to do a 100 near the end of the year.