Running, for Shelley, started after attending other races and watching a friend compete, so she decided to try it herself. She really enjoyed the environment at those events and knew that they’d help her to grow as a person, in more ways than one.  Shelley Stephens has now been an avid runner for 13 years.

“I’ve always been introverted and have kept to myself,” Shelley admitted. “I noticed that being around people with the same interests pushed me to talk to others.”

Her time spent running on the Liberty Mountain Trail System also helped her reconnect with her husband Mark after they divorced in 2000. They’ve used their time on the trails to spend time getting to know each other better and to listen to what the Lord is saying to them. Since then, they’ve been remarried for 11 years.

“We developed a bond, and I think he started to gain a certain amount of respect for me, seeing that I was really pushing myself.” Recently, 4 back surgeries have prevented her husband from running, but they can still hike and bike together.

Shelley has definitely been pushing herself. In the 2018-2019 Liberty Mountain Trail Series, she won the female master’s category at the Deep Hollow Half Marathon, the Arctic 5k, and King of the Mountain, plus a 3^rd overall female finish at Reindeer Run (pictured above).

She’s gained a sense of familiarity with these courses over time, as she’s been running our trail races since 2014. And even when she’s not competing in a race, she’s still out on the trails. Whether it’s with a friend or her labra-doodle Bella, she likes getting out there.

“Running has given me a sense of peace,” Shelley said. “I feel alive out in the woods. My favorite trail is Trail Too Far, it has a nice incline up to the top of Donahue.”

She also mentioned how much she appreciates the opportunity to participate. Shelley has no connection to Liberty University; she’s a local Lynchburg native who enjoys running. Luckily, our races are open to the public.

“I’m grateful to have run the whole series,” Shelley said. “I’ve made some amazing friends. And I don’t take walking or running for granted.”