Race Team Member Owen Bradley
New to the Rock/Creek Race Team for 2010-
Owen Bradley
Age: 30
Occupation: Investment Banker- Commercial Real Estate
I began running recreationally in 2004 with the Tuscaloosa Track Club while completing graduate school at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Although I only participated in one or two 5Ks per year, I found running to be cathartic, relaxing, and energizing. Since then, I have gradually progressed from participating in casual running events to competing in rigorous ultras (both trail and road). For example, I am the three-time Tuscaloosa Grand Prix Points Champion (2007-2009), determined by the total points accumulated from the ten best race finishes at approved and certified Tuscaloosa Track Club events. Upon moving to back to my hometown of Birmingham, AL in Fall 2006, I met several runners through The Trak Shak (local specialty running store) who have been instrumental in developing and accelerating my running ability. They educated me on the value of a weekly speed workout and long run. I have progressively increased my training over the last 3 years with 2009 being a break through year, with my first 30k, 50k, and 50-mile race. I look forward to continuing my progress and challenging myself with longer races in 2010 and beyond.
Years Running: 4 years
Favorite Trail Race: Tashka Trail 50k
Favorite Training Trail: Oak Mountain Red Trail
Lifelong Running Goals:
My lifelong running goal is to be able to do just that: run for the rest of my life despite challenges that I may face physically and mentally. My more immediate running goals include completing a 100-mile race in less than 24-hours and completing a 50K in less than 4 hours. I am also committed to encouraging others to become involved in the sport, either for recreation or for competitive racing. I think it is critically important for individuals to engage in regular physical activity, and running is a relatively low-cost, easily accessible way to do so. Moreover, running carries with it a simplistic beauty, as one is able to simultaneously escape the realities of everyday life or meditate on important issues while running in the woods, on the pavement, with friends, or alone. In sum, my short- and long-term running goals include educating people on the importance of regular physical activity and encouraging them to become lifelong runners; challenging myself to achieve new personal records; and being a role model and source of inspiration for others in this sport.
2009 Races and Past Accomplishments:
In the past year I ran approximately 30 races ranging in length and terrain.
Specifically, I ran (15) 5Ks; (3) 8Ks; (3) 10Ks; (1) 8.5-mile; (4) 50Ks; (1) 42-mile; and (1) 50-mile.
Highlights:
Destrehan, LA: The Wall, 1/4/09, 30K, 2nd overall, time: 1:57:39, pace: 6:18, road race
Birmingham, AL: Mercedes Half Marathon, 2/13/09, 12th overall, time: 1:17:44, pace: 5:56, road race
Birmingham, AL: Oak Mountain, 3/21/09, 50K (first ever), 15th overall, time: 5:40:00, trail race
Talladega, AL: Talladega Half Marathon, 4/11/09, 2nd overall, time: 1:18:26, pace: 6:00, road race
Wartrace, TN: Strolling Jim, 5/1/09, 42-mile, 4th overall, time: 5:26:05, road race
Birmingham, AL: Autumn Equinox Ultra, 9/20/09, 33 mile: 1st overall: approximate time 5:20:00 (no race clock- just a run)
Chattanooga, TN: Stump Jump, 10/3/09, 50K, 13th overall, time: 5:13:50, trail race
Huntsville, AL: Dizzy Fifties, 11/21/09, 50-mile, 2nd overall: 7:39:56, pace: 9:09, trail race
Tuscaloosa, AL: Tashka Trail, 50K, 12/12/09, 1st overall, time: 4:09:32, pace: 8:02, trail race
Best 5K: Birmingham, AL: Retro Run, 7/18/09, 4th overall, time: 16:55, pace: 5:27, road race
Best 8K: Birmingham, AL: Run Away from Domestic Violence, 10/25/09, State Championship, 1st overall, time: 27:46, pace: 5:35, road race
Best 10K: Birmingham, AL: Vulcan Run, 11/7/09, 21st overall, 3rd in age, time: 34:09, pace: 5:30, road race
Race Calendar for 2010:
| Month | Date | Race | Location | Road or Trail | Results | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | Red Nose Run- 10 miler |
Birmingham, AL |
Road | 4th Overall | 58:26 |
| 23 | Village to Village 10k |
Birmingham, AL |
Road | 2nd Overall | 35:51 | |
| February | 14 | Mercedes Marathon |
Birmingham, AL |
Road | 8th Overall | 2:42:51 |
| 19 | Black Warrior 50k | Moulton, AL | Trail | DNF | Knee Injury | |
| March | 13 | Camp Partlow Duathlon 2 mile run / 20 mile bike / 2 mile run |
Tuscaloosa, AL | Road | 5th Overall | 1:28:27 |
| 20 | Oak Mountain 50K | Birmingham, AL | Trail | 8th Overall | 5:21:03 | |
| 27 | R/C River Gorge Trail Race- 10.2-mile | Chattanooga, TN | Trail | 3rd Overall | 47:59 | |
| April | 3 | GVI Spring Fling 5k | Tuscaloosa, AL | Road | 1st Overall | 16:46 |
| 11 | Talladega Half Marathon | Talladega, AL | Road | 3rd Overall | 1:18:21 | |
| 25 | Maebashi Half Marathon | Maebashi, Japan | Road | 23rd Overall | 1:16:16 | |
| May | 1 | Strolling Jim- 40 miler | Wartrace, TN | Road | 2nd Overall | 5:08:57 |
| 22 | Scenic City Trail Half/Marathon | Chattanooga, TN | Trail | 4th Overall | 3:04:59 | |
| June | 18-20 | Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race | Chattanooga, TN | Trail | 3rd Overall | 8:18:41 |
| July | 4 | Peavine Falls 8.2 miles | Birmingham, AL | Both | 3rd Overall | 47:33 |
| August | 7 | Headlands 100 | San Fancisco | Trail | 4th Overall | 21:32:11 |
| September | 19 | Autumn Equinox Ultra 50k Oak Mtn State Park |
Birmingham, AL | Trail | ||
| October | 2 | Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50k | Chattanooga, TN | Trail | ||
| 24-25 | Bourbon Chase - 200 mile -team relay | Kentucky | Road | |||
| November | 6 | Pinhoti 100 [If I don't do Leadville] | Heflin, AL | Trail | ||
| 20 | Dizzy Fifties, 40 or 50 mile | Huntsville, AL | Trail | |||
| December | 12 | Tashka Trail- 50k | Tuscaloosa, AL | Trail | ||
| 18 | Rock/Creek Lookout Mountain 50 mile | Chattanooga, TN | Trail |
Owen's Favorite Winter & Spring Trail Running Gear:
Download the
Autumn Equinox Ultra Registration Form HERE [PDF Download] >
View the
Autumn Equinox Ultra Details HERE [PDF Download] >
What:
~32 miles w/ 6:30am start
~16 miles w/ 6:30 am start
Where:
At Oak Mountain State Park Pelham, AL- Begins from Dogwood Pavilion [Peavine July 4th Run Finish Line]
When:
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Entry Fee:
Run is $10 on or before 9/17/10 | Day of is $15
* There is a park entry fee of $3 per person.
For Questions, contact Owen Bradley at (owenbradley@gmail.com) or call 205.454.6433