Soleful’s Mid-Year Race Recap
As we always say, it is equally worthwhile to celebrate what you have already achieved while also looking forward to where you are going.
With that said, we are so excited to share Soleful's mid-year race recap in a snapshot and photos. While this is a relatively event specific look back at 2024 so far, our Soleful athletes at all levels, ages and abilities have been accomplishing tremendous things beyond racing, too.
Some highlights from the first half of the year so far include the following:
Running start: In it’s third year, the running series at La Grange continued with events in January and April
Kick off the New Year: In unplanned but matching Soleful hats, Carla and Gina raced a January 1 event
Strides for Hope 5K: Benefitting the Equestrian Aid Foundation, this race is Florida based in February and Soleful’s Founder and CEO took a first place division finish while also having the opportunity to participate in the event with family and friends
Green is the New Blue: Learning about this initiative during the Strides for Hope 5K, Soleful is now collaborating on sustainable sport initiatives to reduce plastic waste by encouraging reusable bottles in running and at races and events
Magical half marathon: Gina completed her first half marathon this winter, the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World and plans to run it again next year
Annapolis Running Fest: Dominic and Eric braved cold, wind and rain to race this scenic course in this coastal Maryland town
MONUMENTal PR: Kimberly achieved a major personal best half marathon time in March racing the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC half
Virginia Beach 8K: Brittany raced the Virginia Beach Boardwalk in this annual event, one of many races for her this year
ShamROCK Marathon: Lucy raced her very first marathon on St. Patrick’s Day in Virginia Beach, crossing the 26.2-mile finish line on the Virginia Beach boardwalk
Fast times in Charlottesville: Long-time Soleful athlete and marathoner Kyle tried out a new distance this spring, racing and PRing the Charlottesville 10-miler
Rain, rain did not go away: It was a rainy spring race season and Carla and Kimberly ran an extremely muddy all-terrain Marine Corps 17.75K in Prince William Forest Park
Vines, wines and finish lines: Megan raced her first 5K in the April Soleful Running Series 5K at The Winery at La Grange
Bite of the big apple: A spring visit to New York City provided an opportunity to see two Soleful athletes — Keith and CJ — and to cheer on CJ’s family in a 4-miler race
Saturday blues in May: Megan raced her second ever 5K and earned a blue first place ribbon in her age group
Record day for Soleful: The Marine Corps Historic Half on May 19 in Fredericksburg was star-studded for Soleful athletes, with Carla earning a PR, Kimberly moving one step closer to the Distinguished Participant medal, Carol returning to running after a multi-year hiatus, Nick completing his first ever half marathon and Soleful CEO and Founder earning a PR and 6th place age group finish
Challenge accepted: CJ earned a personal best time in his second year running the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge on a hilly Central Park course in NYC
More miles in June: On his quest for a 5K PR, CJ completed a local 5K as a part of his training plan alongside his family
Chasing PRs and Medals: Eric earned a first place age group finish and medal in the Georgetown 10K
Vacation race vibes: As one of many races for her this year, Brittany completed a 5K race while on vacation this June
While this is a race-specific update, we celebrate ALL of our Soleful runners, and that includes multi-sport, youth, high school, collegiate, adult, first-timers, runners returning to the sport, recreational runners and more. We have seen athletes secure top spots on their sports teams, earn all-state and all-conference honors and make it to division championships. We have seen runners take their first step. Their fastest step. Their most meaningful step. We celebrate and support our Soleful athletes every single step of the way.
So much to celebrate — From our heart and sole, thank you so much to every person who makes it possible to move our Soleful mission forward!