Founder – Marion Childress
| Update January 2023: |
| Well there is a saying better late than never. The year 2022 was quite a challenge. Just as a surprise as my diagnosis of cancer in 2012 was the Pacemaker implant surgery in October 2022. I will share in bullet form so as not to get you bored early on. ~ Celebrated 50 years of marriage this past August and 70 years young in November. In both cases the time has gone so quickly even over such a span of years. ~ Granddaughter arriving in a few months and grafted in 3 boys. Grand boys!! ~ Our Elder and World War 2 Daniel Napper doing good at 95 years young. ~ We added 130 teammates and 31 pet mates to the family C&C in 2022. ~ We lost two of our great teammates and may we meet them again some day. Precious people. ~ For those wondering, I am at 1,025 races with 25 raced in 2022 missing 5 or 6 races because of the implant. ~ 2 surgeries October and November for a 3rd degree heart block and cataract surgery. ~ So many blessings among the losses and life changes but want to thank each and every one of you for your love and support in 2022 and beyond. ~ Lastly…Life is a gift from God. Our children, family, friends, neighbors, and strangers are all gifts to be savored. Although some days may be full of hardship and sadness, each breath, heartbeat, and thought illustrates the beautiful gift of life. Keep the positive memories alive and thank God for the blessings in your past, present, and future. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 |
Marion Childress Bio
US Army Retired December 1996 First Sergeant 23 year military service – Heavy Artillery
Retired 22 years from the Department of Veterans Affairs in March 2020
Lifetime Member of the Disabled American Veterans
Married August 1972 to Irene Dillard Childress, celebrated 50 years of marriage August 21, 2022
Graduate of Lucy Addison High School, Roanoke VA – 1971, Studied at Murray State College (business concentration)
2 amazing adult young men and many grandchildren 1 adopted son, 3 adopted grandkids
Children International Sponsor of 2 children for 30 years ended 2020
Proud Foster parents- all are now grown or with other parents now caring for and raising them
Born again in 1992
Running for 49 years, racing competitively for 39 years
Team Affiliations- C&C Runners, Shine Runners, Star City Striders, Blacksburg Striders, Marathon Maniacs, Half Fanatics, Team RWB and the National Black Marathoners Association, Buns on the Run and Biker Buns
First Race Fort Campbell Air Assault 10 miler October 22, 1983, A course in pouring rain for the first race
1,000 lifetime official race goal achieved November 13,2021 in Richmond VA (Marathon)
Next Goal 100 Halfs
Cancer Battle and Survivor- Battle 2012, Remission in 2015
Recipient of PACEMAKER (implanted) in 2022
Streak in pushups and sit ups daily since 1999 to 2019, restart 2020, ended 2021
1 Ultra marathon, 35 Marathons and 60 Half Marathons, 2 Virtual Marathons- 5 Virtual Half Marathons
Ultra Marathon-50k, Frosty 50k-Winston-Salem NC, Ultra Marathon in training- Roanoke VA. Blue Ridge Marathon Course
Streaks
Favorite races- Blue Ridge Marathon running every event since its creation in 2010 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 -16 appearances
Backpack 5k every event, Hustle for the Homeless 5k every event
Urban Challenge (WazUpwitdis) every event
Richmond Marathon- 12 appearances
Christmas Eve Fun Run- running every event- 10th run, Event Director C&C Runner Mike Morris- 2020 cancelled due to pandemic
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-Red, White & Blue- Enriching Veterans Lives
Accolades
Received a Resolution naming and honoring Marion as the City of Roanoke’s 2019 Citizen of the Year. Also receiving the Key to the City-https://wset.com/news/local/2019-citizen-of-the-year-given-a-key-to-the-city-of-roanoke
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
Presented with the BIB #1 by Mayor Sherman Lea in the 2019 Drumstick Dash before the start for citizen involvement- Roanoke VA
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 and the many out of state and country.
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
C & C Runners 