Martí Naro | 2019 C-VILLE-athon Finishers

For me, running the C-ville-athon not only keeps me in touch with local charities, organizers and events, but also helps me connect and stay connected with fellow runners of all ages and goal types.  We are all there to put ourselves on the start line, swallow a little challenge and do our best on a given day.  Or sometimes we're not up for racing, but simply enjoying the company around us and a  beautiful run!  Knowing that we're in it together, whatever the reason, for a great cause is faithfully encouraging.  

This particular community boasts a terrific connection, network of support and positive energy, one I can't recommend enough to people either new to the area or trying to get back into running - or even just starting out.
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As busy mother of a 15-year-old living and working from home in Nelson County, it had been difficult for me to stay in tune with all of the happenings in Charlottesville, even while I had been in training programs. The C-Ville-athon has been a great way to not only get out and stretch my running potential more regularly, but also to stay in tune with the various local charities and events, as well as participate with so many great, positive people coming out for a terrific cause.  I've come to know such a wide field of athletes, both runners and walkers, as well as coordinators, directors and volunteers, too - so many just in this past year.  I hope to continue this in '19!  Of all the races, it's incredibly tough to choose a favorite.  The Charlottesville 10-Miler is probably my favorite course (the Run for Shelter 8K sliding into second - love those hills! ), but the Pepsi 10K has my heart, both for supporting the Special Olympics and for the wonderful people who organize it.  (I admit, the course is pretty boss, too!)  ...And really, I could keep going about every race I've run and what I love about each.

Thank you all at Cville-athon for this terrific incentive to get out there and make it happen, both as a runner and as a volunteer!  You have certainly inspired me to both!