TSR Runner of the Week-Mark Muth
By: Kayla Dodd
Congratulations to this week’s TSR Runner of the Week, Mark Muth!! He has been on his running journey since 2009 and has had tremendous success with his running endeavors. Running has had a huge impact on Mark’s life, pushed him to new limits and led him to complete several intense races!
His first race was the 2009 Turkey Trot in Huntington, WV. He holds a current Marathon PR of 3:14 and has a running goal to qualify and run both the Boston Marathon and the Ironman Kona 140.6. Oh yes ---- did I mention that Mark not only runs your standard road races, but also trail runs, distance races, triathlons and Ironman’s too?!?!?! When asked what motivates Mark to run, he had just one answer… BEER!!! That is good enough motivation for me!
One of the coolest things that he has experienced on a run was during the Chicago Marathon, he said, “I saw a guy running the Marathon barefoot!” His upcoming race calendar consists of the Flying Pig Marathon, Ironman Raleigh 70.3, Ironman Norway 70.3 and the Ironman Louisville 140.6. His ‘dream races’ are the Ironman Kona 140.6 in Hawaii and Barkley Marathons at Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee.
Mark’s favorite running/motivational quote is “Anything is Possible.” His best experience from running has been the opportunity that it has given him to now compete in triathlons and push himself to a whole new level! Mark is a part of a local group called the Tri-State TriMafia. If you have not heard of them, they are a great group of triathletes. TriMafia is a specific group of ambassadors for Huntington’s own Velocity Sportswear, involving triathletes of all skill levels from all over! They have a strong sense of ‘family’ with the fun ‘mafia’ theme, they encourage and support each other in their everyday life and through their crazy sport of Triathlon!
His favorite brand of running shoes are the Saucony Triumph 10's (which sadly they do not make anymore). His favorite piece of running gear is his Garmin Fenix 3 watch. “If it’s not on Strava, it didn't happen.” His furthest distance that he has run so far is 31 miles.
When asked what advice he would give to a beginner runner he said, “It’s not how fast you go, it’s THAT you go.” Running had benefited Mark in several ways and he has had several great experiences and made several great friends along the way! “Running has helped to give me the bug to compete. When most people see me, I believe they do not see a marathon runner. I do not have that typical build so I hope to inspire others that think to be a runner you have to fit a certain mold.” Congratulations to Mark on all of his runner accomplishments, he really is an inspiration to those around him and is always pushing himself to a new goal! See you at the finish line!