� The Monster Runner Award

The Monster Runner Award� is designed to celebrate the runners in our community who excel in race finishes, overcome personal challenges, run personal bests, contribute to a better life for those around them, and go far beyond their comfort zone to find something special within.� �

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February 2010 Monster Runner

Nick Kelley

If you recently ran the Truffle Shuffle, chances are, you saw Nick Kelley, this month’s Monster Runner of the Month out there providing inspiration to many.� Committed Partners for Youth/Big Brothers Big Sisters, each year hosts the Truffle Shuffle as a fund-raiser for their Bolder Options Program, which has at-risk youth matched up with adults in a seasonal running schedule.� For the past six years, Nick has been a mentor in this dynamic program, working with 15-18 year old boys, meeting once a week for 2 hours doing something athletic, oftentimes running (one of Nick’s main passions).� As part of the program, Nick helps train those he mentors to compete in sometimes two races a month – activities that they would never otherwise be exposed to or have a motivation to explore.� It’s the sense of inclusion that those kids feel and the peer bonding that happens, says Nick, that’s part of the satisfaction he derives, as well as hearing the success stories of where those kids go after they leave the Bolder Options program.

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Nick was born in Eugene, but grew up in Seaside until his mid-teens, where he started running track and x-country in high school at Central in Independence.� � After high school, he returned to his roots, earning his degree at the University of Oregon in Economics and Business.� Nick has been working with Pacific Continental Bank for the past five years and overall, loves living in the area with his wife Kelsey and their menagerie (2 dogs, 4 horses, and 1 cat).� The majority of his family lives close by, and he’s excited about the future with his own children at some point.�

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When he started running 14 years ago, Nick just wanted to be involved in another athletic endeavor. Since then, he’s done triathlons, half and full marathons, has been on Hood To Coast Relay teams, and simply loves any challenge.� Currently, his goals are focused on breaking 20 minutes for the 5K distance and having a better control of his pacing during races.� While he thoroughly loves running on the country roads and trails around his home in Elmira, Nick is always ready for any sporting experience.

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What does Nick say about running and athletics in general?� “It’s all mental.�� Nothing physical happens without the psychological drive to make it happen says Nick, “Barriers are largely in the mind.�� With that in mind, Nick advises those around him to focus on small, short-term attainable goals, and to keep going, one day at a time.� Clearly, through past results, the goals that he helps his teen understudies to set, are overwhelmingly met time and again.� Jay Baughman, the director of the Bolder Options Program, comments that he could never overstate the value of what Nick brings to the lives of those he’s involved with.� “It’s his ongoing dedication, commitment, and unwavering presence,� says Jay, that forms a foundation of support for kids that they most need in their lives -� � “He’s exactly what a mentor should be.��

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It’s his passion for life, his passion for helping others, and a genuine desire to make a difference in this world that make Nick an inspiration to us all.� Happy running and living, Nick, we’re looking forward to what you can share with us next!

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