MEGHAN YOUNG

It all started when…

Running, sports, the outdoors and adventure were instilled in me from the time I was little. I can’t say I always enjoyed hiking with my family, the family camping trips as my summer vacations or the overnights at summer camp but looking back the experiences were invaluable in laying a foundation of love for the outdoors. I was also given plenty of opportunities to try different sports and it seemed I excelled at anything if it involved a lot of running. 

In elementary and middle school running was fun because I could beat all the boys at it. I was persuaded to join the cross country team in high school after it became clear the two mile training runs for field hockey practice were no big deal for me. Several other girls played both sports so I chose to do the same. I had all intentions to go to college and play field hockey. Due to some unexpected circumstances I ended up running. I excelled in college. Call me that diamond in the rough. I finished my college career earning All American honors by finishing 8th at the 2005 Division III Cross County National Championships. It was bittersweet. Mentally and physically my junior and senior years of college were challenging low points in my life. I was forced to step away from running after graduating. Several years later I turned to the mountains and trails to find my way back.

My first Ultra was in 2012 at TNF Bear Mountain. 50m.  It was a disaster but I was hooked on the sport. Since then I have finishes at the Breakneck Trail Marathon, Cats Tail Trail Marathon, Cayuga Trails 50m, Manitous Revenge Ultramarathon, TNF Bear Mountain 50k, Whiteface VK, SRT half marathon, and the VT 100. I strive for a balance between racing, training and just having fun. When not working you will find me in the mountains or on the trails running, hiking, biking, fishing, paddle boarding, skiing or snowboarding.