Our Ambassadors are spreading the word.

Melanie (@melaniecraftsalot) is a newcomer to running. She completed her first 5K at Twilight 2024 thanks to the support of Fleet Feet Athens’ training program and Slow Girl Run Club. Melanie is a PhD Candidate of Public Administration and Policy at UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs. As a newbie, she’s been running (slowly) away from her dissertation-writing and is happy to talk to anyone about intervals and run-walking in general. She’s excited to promote the Classic City Marathon and the Athena Half Marathon to folks who may be more intimidated by running (and if you’re not 100% sold on participating, you can always volunteer!).

My name is Ella (@run.withel) and I just graduated (2024) from UGA with a BSc. in Marine Biology and am starting Graduate School at UGA this summer in Marine Science so when I am not studying or scuba diving I am running!! I ran track in high school but did not like short-distance running so I stopped running completely. However, in 2023 I decided to challenge myself to train and run my first half marathon and I completed it 12 weeks later and fell in love with long-distance running. Now I am challenging myself to run my first marathon! 26.2 Here I come!

My name is Tara (@taragofff) and I’m from Roswell, Georgia. I started running for my high school cross-country team when I was a freshman, and I fell in love with the sport about two years later. I am a junior at UGA, double majoring in dietetics and culinary sciences, with plans to pursue sports nutrition at the collegiate or professional level. My passion for nutrition has grown so much as I’ve gotten back into racing and seen the effect that proper fueling has on performance. The Classic City Marathon was my first full marathon last year, and I am so excited to be running it again this year!

Courtney (@cweaver96) first moved to Athens in 2014, where she was a proud member of the University of Georgia's swim team and ultimately received both her Bachelors and Masters Degree from UGA. She left Athens for a few years after graduation, but was ultimately drawn back to the Classic City in 2022. Like many former collegiate athletes, she struggled finding community within the exercise world following retirement. Though she would not have considered herself a runner, shortly after moving back to Athens she joined Athens Road Runners and found herself regularly attending group runs. She is a proud member of Slow Girl Run Club and loves to encourage everyone on their running journey, no matter where they are. She believes the running community is for everyone and loves to spread the joy of running (and walking!) with others.

Dani (@danixmurr) has always been interested in running but it transformed into a passion during the summer of 2020. With so much that was out of her control, she found that running further and further gave her control over her body and mind. In just a few months of training Dani was able to train up and run her first half marathon. Since then, Dani has run a few half marathons and plans to run her first marathon in the fall of 2024. Running is a great reminder that no matter what you go through in your day, your body is always stronger. You are stronger than the pain in your legs or a tough day at work. Our bodies are these incredible vessels that can do so much once we can align with our minds.

My name is Kelsey (@kelsey_mcguire) and I am from Fort Mill, SC. I am a pre-medical student at UGA and I love being a part of the running community in Athens! I ran the 1st inaugural Classic City Marathon last year (BQ!) and am so excited to run the Boston Marathon in 2025. I am also a Girls on the Run Coach for a local Athens elementary school. I love being able to give back to the running community and am looking forward to my second year as an ambassador!

My name is Mariana and I am a latina originally from Mexico who has a passion for running.

I start running about 4 years ago and I’m planning to continue until my body allows me.

I am bless to be part of a runner group that train every week and have discovered a different lifestyle. We have found discipline and motivation throughout this wonderful sport.

Heather (@heatherwatersmark), owner of volume portrait studio Watermark Photography, loves to love people. She has raced all distances throughout the years, but joined Transfit Athens to tackle her first marathon in 2018. She has now completed many, and achieved her ultimate goal to run Boston. She hopes however that she is just getting started.

She preaches it all the time - running changed her life. There is no feeling like a finish line, and there are no better friends than running friends. When you spend time on the road with people, they become YOUR people. She runs all distances, but has a special place in her heart for the 26.2.

Heather loves the Athens running community and is so excited to be a part of this special event. Ever supporting other runners, Watermark Photography also highlights the running community with #milesandsmiles. Send your stories her way so she can cheer you on and celebrate you!

Anthony (@chiu_anthony) finds running as a therapy and break from work, grad school, and other life commitments. It provides a moment to reflect, connect with nature, and listen to some bops. He ran his first marathon in 2023 in the Chicago Marathon. He is a dietitian, so trying different gels is one of his favorite parts of running. Anthony has served on the Pride Run Atlanta committee for 2 years. He looks forward to an ambassador and sharing his experience with the Classic City Marathon.

Sara (@sara_runs_athens), a former high school runner, college rower, and fitness instructor, has found her stride once again on the streets of Athens. Amidst pursuing a PhD in psychology at UGA, Sara rediscovered her love for running when she moved to Athens last fall. Through her Instagram (@sara_runs_athens), she has not only been able to share her passion for running and electronic music, but has also found a welcoming embrace from the local Athens running community. As an ambassador for the 2025 CCM, Sara hopes to inspire others to lace up their shoes, chase their dreams, and discover the power of running alongside a supportive and inclusive community.

Stephanie (@stephbb13) grew up playing sports and found cross country her senior year of high school (where she consistently finished close to last). She continued running in college when she would get in a "running kick" but never with cosistency. This past year she volunteeree at an AthHalf cheer zone with her work at the Athens Area Community Foundation and was so inspired by the Athens running community that she commited to a year of running a race every month. Since October 2023 she has run in four 5ks, two 8ks, two 10ks and put in countless miles along the amazing Firefly Trail. She is excited to contiue her year of running and participate in the Classic City Marathon. The best thing she has gained from this commitment to running is including her two sons, showing them how special running can be!

Elizabeth (@eturny) has been a distance runner since she was 12. Always more attracted to the endurance and conditioning of the competitive sports she played, this led her to starting her distance running career in middle school and carrying through high school as a way to stay in shape between soccer and softball seasons. Elizabeth came back to running in early 2020 during the pandemic and planned to knock a half marathon off the bucket list and never stopped. 4 half marathons and a full marathon later, Elizabeth moved to Athens from Louisiana for work and found community in Slow Girl Run Club. Don’t be fooled though, deep in dawg country now but always an LSU tiger at heart!