Why I Run
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Why I Run

A Collection of Stories

They say when your WHY is big enough, you will find your HOW.

In our industry, we are lucky enough to hear incredible stories about why people run, what makes them tick, brings joy, find clarity, sanity, and so many reasons "WHY". Recently we had the pleasure of interviewing some of our athletes about their "WHY". We are so excited to share with you some of those stories. Join us over the next few weeks as we take a glimpse at the inspirational journeys of just a few.

To submit a story about why you run, CLICK HERE.

Beck & Carlos Espinoza

Carlos & Becky has overcome so much with running – it has become a part of thier life to be healthy mentally and physically. They encourage others to see that life's difficulties can be a small stepping stone and that running can help in so many ways. For both of them, it has been a very mentally clearing exercise and physically it has improved her health issues. They believe anyone can be a runner at any distance and it will change life in any way possible.

Dave Weloth- Why I Run

“A community builds an organization, an organization builds a race, a race builds a community”. This time tested formula continues to be relevant year after year in providing a significant positive impact in our community and in the lives of our athletes, volunteers, spectators, and community as a whole. “It's more than a marathon” is a statement that I have heard so many times, and the stories in our community of how the marathon has affected people’s lives in such positive ways are awe-inspiring. I had the honor and opportunity to sit down with Dave Weloth to hear his amazing Ogden Marathon story and how running has become a Weloth family tradition.

Dave’s first experience with the Ogden Marathon was working as a volunteer at the finish line. It was the first year of the Ogden Marathon, now 20 years ago, and Dave and a team of dedicated volunteers arrived in the early hours of the morning at the finish line to unpackage medals that would be later distributed to runners as they crossed the finish line. Dave remembers how inspiring it was to him to watch the runners cross the finish line with such emotion and a sense of accomplishment. Dave remembered seeing a diverse group of runners, some of which were elite competitive runners, but the group that had the biggest significance to him, were what he saw as “average people”. This group and the comradery of the volunteers inspired Dave to volunteer again the next year. During that year, Dave had ran a 5K and couldn’t stop thinking about how he wanted to run a ½ marathon. He reflected on seeing the runners at the finish line and wanted to experience the incredible feeling of accomplishment for himself. On the third year of the Ogden Marathon, Dave ran the ½ marathon and remembers the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that he had when he finished. He had accomplished his goal that he had worked and trained so hard for all year and he told his daughter that he was finished and that would be his last ½ marathon.

Shortly after, his daughter Kimberly told him that she wanted to run the ½ marathon and invited him to train and run the ½ marathon with her. As Dave and his daughter trained together throughout the year, a series of events that his daughter was unaware of were unfolding. During the year, Kimberly’s boyfriend approached Dave and asked if he could marry his daughter, of course was kept confidential between Dave and his daughter’s boyfriend. The rest of the story would unfold, unknown to Kimberly, during the marathon.

After training together throughout the year, Dave and his daughter started the race, just like the thousands of other runners running the ½ marathon. As they made their way around Pineview Reservoir and down scenic Ogden Canyon and the beautiful Ogden River Parkway, his daughter’s boyfriend had strategically placed signs of encouragement for the two, but it was at the world-class finish line, at the end of the finish chute at 25th Street and Grant Avenue that the ultimate surprise would unfold. As Dave and Kimberly crossed the finish line, holding hands, with tears in their eyes, overcome with such a sense of accomplishment, awaiting on the other side of the finish arch was Kimberly’s boyfriend, on one knee with a marriage proposal. The perfect finish to a perfect day and by the way, she said “YES”!


Written by, Eric Bauman, Executive Director- GOAL Foundation


Reese "Reeseman" Thorne

Aric Asks Ogden, a Collection of Stories

Longtime community advocate, Aric Manning interviews people from the Ogden Marathon family.
Enjoy these kind words inspired by the 15 interviews that Aric conducted with different people in the Ogden Marathon family. Aric is not only a board member of GOAL Foundation, he is also the Executive Director for Trails Foundation Northern Utah. In Aric's free time, he also hosts an awesome podcast called, Trail Manners. Thank you, Aric for providing this collection of stories. We will enjoy them for years to come!

If you enjoyed these interviews, be sure to check out Aric's podcast, Trail Manners here.

Wonder how, where and when the idea for Ogden Marathon began and how it came to fruition? Enjoy this interview with former Ogden City Mayor, Matthew Godfrey, and at the time his right hand lady, Carolyn Brierley.
Enjoy a little insight from the ladies behind the scene at GOAL Foundation.
Enjoy this interview from the Executive Director of GOAL Foundation, Eric Bauman.
Enjoy this interview from one of Ogden Marathon's Ambassador's, Amara Janke.
Enjoy this interview from Ogden Marathon Ambassador, Jenet Davis.

Jori Torman

Enjoy this interview with Ogden Marathon Ambassador, Jori Torman.
Enjoy this interview from one of Ogden's favorite power couples, Beth & Jeff Furton.
Enjoy this interview with one of our Ogden Marathon Ambassador's, Rob Bruderer.
Enjoy this interview from one of our Ogden Marathon Ambassador's, Stacy Bernal.
Enjoy this interview from "The Voice" of the Ogden Marathon, Shane Osguthorpe.
Enjoy this interview with past Race Director, Mike McBride, and Ogden City's Arts, Culture and Event Division Manager, Christy McBride.
Enjoy this interview with some of our biggest fans, The Probasco's!
Enjoy this interview with Ogden Marathon Ambassador, Alexis Gerst.
Enjoy this interview with Ogden Marathon Ambassador, Caitlyn Evett.
Enjoy this interview with Ogden Marathon Ambassador, Lora Erickson.
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