By GERRI GRADY
CHEROKEE RUNNERS
The Cherokee Runners are proud to spotlight Kelly Murphy and Pamela Sneed for completing their first half marathon with the Harvest Half and 5K on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Kelly Murphy and Pamela Sneed, members of the Cherokee Runners, are shown following completing their first half marathon at the Harvest Half and 5K in Cherokee on Saturday, Oct. 19. (Photo courtesy of Gerri Grady)
Sneed has been a member of the Cherokee Runners for three years and has been assisting as a coach with the Couch to 5K (C2>5K) program as well as filling in with the walking group. She was not a runner in high school and started running only after her involvement with the Cherokee Runners. She enjoys her coaching sessions with the Couch to 5K participants and the volunteer time that she spends with events such as the Smoky Mountain Relay. Sneed is from the Painttown community, and she encourages everyone to come out and join the C2>5K program.
Murphy is the granddaughter of Naomi Queen and Mary Murphy and through their strength she has drawn inspiration to concentrate on her training.
She stated, “Running is a great stress reliever as well as giving me time to think. I would like to thank the Cherokee Runners for taking time from their schedules to do the C2>5K program. They helped me get through the training with their support. I particularly want to thank my running partner, Pam – we made it together!”
Both women are very excited to have been able to train together and complete their first half marathon (13.1 miles). Murphy is interested in continuing her training to complete longer distances in the future, while Sneed plans to compete in 5Ks, 10Ks and possibly more half marathons.
The Cherokee Runners will begin a new C2>5K training program in April 2014.
