The energy in Winston-Salem was electric as TCTC hosted one of its most inspiring weekends yet — a celebration of movement, resilience, and the boundless spirit of the running community.
At the heart of it all was the club’s Winter Seminar, headlined by the incredible Mirna Valerio — ultramarathoner, author, advocate, and living testament that running truly is for every body. The event was powered by lululemon, with Mirna being one of their Global Ambassadors, ZOA Energy, Tactic Functional Nutrition, and a partnership with Junction311.
Mirna’s visit wasn’t just about sharing her story — it was about sparking a deeper sense of belonging in every runner, walker, and mover who came out for the weekend’s events, which included the CraftHalf Shake Out Run, a rejuvenating yoga session, and the highly anticipated Junction311 CraftHalf Half Marathon & 5K.
The “Mirnavator” made her first stop of the weekend at Diggs-Latham Elementary School where she talked to the kids about moving their bodies, staying positive, and hitting their “Superstar Pose”!
Shake Out and Stretch: Pre-Race Celebration
The spirit of connection began Saturday morning with the CraftHalf Shake Out Run and Yoga Session. Runners of every pace — from sprinters to walkers — gathered for an easy shake-out run through Winston-Salem’s downtown and The Strollway. A gentle sloping course where participants could easily turn around at any point to log the mileage they were after.
After the run, participants laid out their yoga mats for a calming, restorative yoga session led by local instructor Jeremiah Grace of Wildlight Wellness Center. Inside host Footnote Coffee & Cocktails, runners stretched, breathed, and smiled together, setting a peaceful, energized tone for race day on Sunday.
Mirna herself joined in, radiating the same warmth and encouragement she’s known for worldwide.
Later that afternoon a few of TCTC’s “super volunteers” got to spend some quality time with Mirna and talked about running, her favorite races, and our shared love of COFFEE!! Thank you, Lot 63, in Old Salem!
Winter Seminar: A Conversation That Moved Hearts
On stage at Salem College, Mirna captivated the audience with her honesty, humor, and raw passion for running and life. She spoke about her journey — the triumphs, the challenges, the times she felt like she didn’t fit the traditional mold of a runner, and how she claimed her space anyway.
“Running is not about what you look like or how fast you go,” Mirna shared.
“It’s about showing up for yourself, again and again, no matter what the world tells you.”
The room was filled with nodding heads, laughter, and even a few tears as Mirna wove a message of self-acceptance, perseverance, and pure joy.
Twin City Track Club’s mission to welcome runners of all abilities felt more alive than ever, as people from all walks of life found themselves reflected in Mirna’s story.
CraftHalf Half Marathon & 5K: Running With Heart
Sunday morning dawned chilly but perfect for running. Spirits were high as hundreds of runners toed the line for the CraftHalf Half Marathon and 5K. True to its reputation, the CraftHalf wasn’t just a race — it was a community party with local brews, great music, and endless support. TCTC provided pacers, bike support, and water station volunteers again this year.
Mirna was there cheering, hugging, and even running alongside participants, embodying the true spirit of the weekend: community over competition.
From the speedsters chasing personal bests to the walkers determined to cross the finish line, every participant was treated like a champion. The cheers at the finish line grew louder as the clock ticked on — a tradition that celebrates every finisher equally.
As the medals were handed out and craft beers were raised in toast, a quote from Mirna’s book, A Beautiful Work In Progress sums up the weekend perfectly:
“Running is a cleansing, life-changing, and deeply fulfilling odyssey that continues to bring me to new heights and new lows. During this journey, I approach the human being that I am meant to be.”
More Than Miles: A Movement of Inclusion
The Winter Seminar and CraftHalf weekend weren’t just events — they were a reminder of what running can and should be: welcoming, empowering, and deeply human.
In a world where finish times often overshadow finish lines, Twin City Track Club continues to lead with heart — proving that everyone who laces up a pair of shoes and moves forward belongs.
And as Mirna Valerio reminded everyone during her Winter Seminar talk when asked what the most important lesson she has learned from running is:
“Keep it simple. It’s just running. We make it out to be this big thing, we got to do it at this pace, we have to have negative splits, we’ve gotta do this, and you know what, sometimes…it’s just running. Just go out and run. We overcomplicate it and we assign all these rules and narratives to something that is so natural for humans, and then we start excluding people from certain things and we make it into something it’s not. It’s just one foot in front of the other. Let’s just run like the humans we are.”
In Winston-Salem, under crisp spring skies, a beautiful truth was clear:
Running isn’t just about miles. It’s about connection. It’s about joy. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how fast, and just being the humans that we are.
And at Twin City Track Club, every runner — fast, slow, young, old, elite, back-of-the-packer — is celebrated for simply showing up.