My Last President’s Message for TCTC
If you’ve ever lined up at the start of a race and looked around — heart pounding, nerves humming — you know how big and small the world can feel all at once. There are the speedsters up front, the run-walkers chatting in the middle, the brave souls at the back checking their watches nervously. In those moments, it’s easy to wonder: Do I belong here?
At the Twin City Track Club (TCTC), the answer should always be a resounding yes. Whether you’re chasing a personal record, lacing up for your very first 5K, or simply running for the joy of it, we should celebrate your journey.
Running isn’t reserved for the fastest or fittest. It’s a universal language — one that speaks to the human spirit, determination, and camaraderie. In the words of ultramarathoner Mirna Valerio, whose powerful voice has redefined what an endurance athlete looks like,
“Every person has the right to move their body in whatever way brings them joy, strength, and connection to themselves and others.”
Mirna, affectionately known as “The Mirnavator,” champions the idea that running is for every body. Her outlook resonates deeply with TCTC’s mission. Being a runner isn’t about a certain pace, a certain size, or a certain look — it’s about showing up, putting one foot in front of the other, and sharing the road, trails, and finish lines with others.
A True Community: Front, Middle, and Back of the Pack
At the recent CraftHalf Half Marathon & 5K, you could feel it in the air: serious competitors warming up with high knees and sharp focus, beginners adjusting race bibs with nervous laughter, parents tying shoelaces on their kids, and friends gathering for sweaty selfies before the gun went off.
When the race started, the pack stretched long — a river of motion winding through the streets. The first runners flew like poetry in motion. The middle pack settled into a rhythm, pushing, smiling, high-fiving volunteers. The walkers and slower runners, bringing up the rear, moved with steady determination, cheered along by everyone
they passed.
No matter where they finished, everyone got a round of applause. Everyone was part of the celebration.
Legendary runner and Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray captures it perfectly:
“The final finisher is the one who truly defines the success of a race. They show the true spirit of endurance, perseverance, and heart. The last finisher has just as much heart and courage as the winner — sometimes even more.”
Let’s treat final finishers like the heroes they are.
Running is a Tapestry, Not a Time Sheet
There’s something magical that happens when a community embraces all paces. It becomes more colorful. More joyful. More inclusive. More real.
“Running isn’t about winning,” says Bart Yasso, former Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World and a regular voice for inclusivity.
“It’s about the people you meet and the memories you make along the way.”
For every elite runner chasing national rankings, there are hundreds who just want to make it to the finish line. People who just beat cancer and are running their very first mile. There are moms or dads pushing a stroller. There are retirees ticking a 5K off their bucket list. There are teenagers overcoming anxiety just by showing up.
Each one has a story. Everyone’s story matters.
The Future Is Bright — and Fast, and Steady, and Walked
As more and more runners across the country demand inclusive spaces, organizations like ours should be lighting the way forward. We should be proving that you can have fast times and slow times; competitive spirit and community spirit; personal bests and personal victories just for showing up.
Mirna Valerio says it best:
“Joy and movement are for everyone — and nobody can tell you otherwise.”
And at TCTC, that belief shouldn’t just be spoken — let’s live it. Every training run. Every race. Every warm smile at the finish line. Every BODY should be celebrated for running. In a world where too often we measure success in numbers, we should remind ourselves that the greatest success is in connection – to ourselves and each other.
If you’re wondering whether you’re “good enough” to join a running community, let our answer be:
You already are. You always have been.
Lace up. You belong here.
Terry Wilmoth
President, Twin City Track Club