Founder – Marion Childress
US Army Retired First Sergeant 23 year military service – Heavy Artillery
Working for Department of Veterans Affairs 21 years
Married August 1972 to Irene
Graduate of Lucy Addison High School – 1971, Studied at Murray State College (Business Concentration)
2 amazing adult young men and many grandchildren
Children International Sponsor of 2 children
Proud Foster parents- all are now grown or with other parents now caring for and raising them
Born again in 1992
Running for 45+ years, racing competitively for 36 years
First Race Fort Campbell Air Assault 10 miler 22 Oct. 1983 or course in pouring rain for the first race
956 official races with a goal of 1000 lifetime
Cancer Battle and Survivor- Battle 2012, Remission in 2015
Streak in pushups and sit ups daily since 1999
32 Marathons and 52 Half Marathons
Ultra Marathon-50k, Frosty 50k-NC
Streaks
Favorite races- Blue Ridge Marathon running every event since its creation except the 8th BRM due to injury. The Secretary and Coordinator presented me with the 8th BRM Finishers Medal (2017) for support of this great event.
Drumstick Dash every event -13 appearances
Spooky Sprint every event, Backpack 5k every event, Hustle for the Homeless 5k every event
Urban Challenge (WazUpwitdis) every event
Richmond Marathon- 10 appearances
Christmas Eve Fun Run- running every event- 10th run upcoming, Event Director C&C Runner Mike Morris
Member: C&C Runners, National Black Marathoners Association(NBNA) Marathon Maniacs, Half Fanatics, Double Agent, Star City Striders , Fleet Feet Sports Roanoke (VIPR), Franklin County Shine Runners, Blacksburg Striders, Team RWB
Accolades
Received a Resolution naming and honoring Marion as the City of Roanoke’s 2019 Citizen of the Year
Numerous employee of the quarter awards from the Department of Veterans Affairs and a 40 year pin and acknowledgement for 40 years of Federal Service
Winner of Mizuno Power to Inspire Award, one of 5 National winners 2015
Honored as the Unofficial Running Ambassador of the Roanoke Valley in 2014 by the Roanoker Magazine
Nominated in 2016 for the Mizuno Power to Inspire Award
There were 11 nominated for this great honor of the Mizuno Power to Inspire. I must say that every fish brags on its own pond, of the 11 nominees selected 7 were C&C Runners and another of the 11 joined the team later, Pam Rickard went on to be selected as this year’s Mizuno Power to Inspire National winner, a C&C Runner and Director of the Famed Herren Project changing thousands of lives. What an amazing tribute to the C&C passion, commitment to a healthy lifestyle and plenty of inspiration flowing through the Roanoke Valley Star City of the South.
So many more of the team out there coaching, mentoring and working to make us the movement that is changing lives for the better in so many ways. We want to join our teammate the Mayor of Running Bart Yasso in his goal to reach a million lives.
Marion Childress C&C Runner #1/ Founder
Email: marionchildress@yahoo.com
