Heather Trainor’s title at Big Peach Running Company is “Maker of Friends/Purveyor of Fun/Director of Medical Outreach.” You can add the title of Marathon Woman because she recently finished her 150th marathon, a remarkable achievement for a women who is a key member of the Big Peach team. We found it so remarkable, in fact, that Running Insight reached out to her as she traveled to Australia for the Sydney Marathon to find out how and, most importantly, why she keeps on running … and running

So here in the words of our October issue cover girl, is Heather Trainor’s inspirational story (edited for brevity since Heather loves to talk about running.”

Her family. I have three kids, two grandkids and one husband — and two dogs, but they got demoted now that I have grandkids. 

Getting started in retail. My friend worked at a small running store near our house and convinced me that I would like it. I knew what shoes I liked to run in (and didn’t), but gave very little thought to what other people wore, their gait or anything like that. Now I’m obsessed. 

Enter Big Peach. I started with Big Peach Running Co in 2018. I initially came to BPRC to run their Amazon program, but I missed working in the store and helping guests, so I started picking up shifts. My first position of responsibility was birthday captain — that’s a made-up title I gave myself, but I thought it was important to recognize our co-workers on their birthday (it has since morphed into holiday party planner, baby shower thrower and all-around every occasion person). 

Promotion Time. My next upgrade was when I talked Steve DeMoss into letting me take over the medical outreach for the store. I basically asked him every month or so until he finally relented. Next I starting working on in-store special events. All of these combined with my love of going to all of our local races to set up a tent and chat with runners lead to my current job title of “Maker of Friends, Purveyor of Fun.”

Did you start out with a goal of 150 in mind or did it just happen over time?

Growing up I was somewhat of a runner — my family did the Peachtree Road Race every year on the 4th of July (this year will be my 40th) and we ran other local races on the weekend when I didn’t have soccer, basketball or track. I remember my fifth grade teacher being really impressed that I had run a 10K the weekend before and I thought she was strange because, well, didn’t everyone run races on Saturday mornings? 

I kept getting mail from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their Team in Training, but I was busy graduating, getting married and having three kids so I talked myself out of each one that came. Then one day I got a letter from a college friend and she was doing a marathon with TNT. I called her right away and said how I had been considering doing a marathon with them for years. So we signed up for the inaugural Phoenix Rock and Roll Marathon in January of 2004. 

What kept you going?

Training for my first marathon was hard (but fun) so I didn’t want to lose my long run fitness so I signed up for my second marathon before I had even done the first. I had no goals or anything, I just thought make sure you don’t lose this mileage base. But every race I finished, I thought I could maybe do something a bit better, or try a different nutrition strategy, or a friend called and wanted someone to run with them, so I kept signing up. I was probably 8-10 marathons in before I had even heard of running a marathon in all 50 states, but I didn’t really even think I would ever get that organized. I just liked finding a race and running it. 

150? Why and how?

The goal of 150 didn’t come along until way further. I thought I was a bit closer that I actually was to 150 (my husband keeps the spreadsheet of my races and times, I just run). I thought it would be cool to run 150 marathons before I turned 50. I said this out loud at the Rio Marathon after party a few days before I turned 49. I wrongly estimated I was at about 135 marathons. I typically run 12 marathons a year or roughly one a month. So I thought 15 in the next 12 months wouldn’t be so bad. But I was only at 122 marathons, so I tried running them bi-weekly and sometimes two a weekend to get to 150 and promptly got injured. So I got slightly smarter and adjusted the goal to 150 while I was still 50 (so before I turned 51). 

Does all of this running and training help out with your job at Big Peach?

Physically it does in the fact that I am used to long hours on my feet and don’t mind standing for long periods. But also because I love getting to talk to people as they are starting on their running journeys, or running their first race or honestly just anyone who comes in to talk about running or shoes or anything like that. My friends and family are over hearing it from me! If anyone comes in the store saying they are training for a race, I’m always popping over saying, “Oooh what race?”

Do your customers know about all of your marathons? Can they relate?

I try to not mention my level of running to anyone because I don’t want them to feel intimidated or that their training for a 5K is somehow a lesser goal. My coworkers rat me out a lot when I am just trying to be under the radar.  I have made a lot of friends that come in the store and we start talking about races and then I decide to run the race with them. And I never mind telling people what I thought of a course or tips and tricks from any marathon I’ve run. But I still try to remain incognito.

Do you think you are perhaps an inspiration to them?

I do really and truly think that anyone can run a marathon if they are willing to put in the time and miles. I don’t know if I’m inspiring, but I think it’s important for people to know that everyday people can run long distances and it’s not just a sport for college runners or track athletes.

What is your training routine for your marathons and how do you fit it all in?

I really like to be busy, so that helps. It is also helpful that our stores don’t open until 10, which is like mid-day for me. It’s much harder for me to do a closing shift (until 8 p.m.) because I like to go to bed. I usually run and then do a tennis drill or vice versa in the a.m. Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays are usually tennis-free and I do the longer runs and hardest workouts then. Also as long as I run a marathon or two a month, I never really need to do a 20 miler, just maintenance/bridge miles. 

Do (Big Peach owner) Mike Cosentino or Steve DeMoss or other Big Peach people ever run with you?

Mike and I ran some miles in the inaugural Running Man race. One mile loops are a fun way to get a marathon in because you get to see everyone and really interact with everyone.  Steve and I have run several 5Ks together (well kind of — he says he’s slow and then takes off). New Balance sent a big group of Big Peach employees to the NYC marathon in 2023 and that was super fun to have that experience as a group.

How would you describe your running style?

Relaxed? I don’t have a goal most races. I have slowed down to help someone who’s struggling or run with friends at their pace lots of times. I will always be willing to help out newbies or people having a bad day. That’s really my favorite part of the running community.

Do you have a count on other, shorter races you have run?

I have finished eight Ironman races. I have no idea on half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks or shorter triathlons. 

Any ultras planned?

I’ve done a 50K and a few ultras here and there. I wish that I loved trail running more because so many of my friends have turned to trails, but I tend to get lost and I hate snakes so I am destined to be a mostly road runner. I have batted around the idea of a 100 miler for a few years, but I think I would have to actually concentrate and play a lot less tennis.

What would be your message to anyone reading this who might be considering their first, second, 50th or 150th marathon?

If you are willing to commit the time, tears and miles to it, you can do it.  There’s not really a secret formula other than determination and knowing you won’t quit.

What’s the schedule for 2026?

Other than world majors and marathons that require travel visas, I don’t plan ahead too far. I want to make sure that the store is covered before I take off. I sometimes don’t sign up until the week of the race. Sometimes the day before. I end up emailing a lot of race directors after online registration has closed. But I’ve also become friends with lots of race directors that way too. I do bring Run ATL shirts as a thank you if they squeeze me in. 

Any you do have scheduled?

The only two races set somewhat in stone for 2026 is the Great Wall of China Marathon and Daufuskie Island, SC. I keep hearing rumors that the Great Wall marathon won’t be going too many more years because of the degradation of the wall, so I wanted to make sure I got that one in. Daufuskie has become a fun one I try to do every year if my schedule lines up. It’s such a quirky island and a fun race. 

What does your family say about all of your running?

We have a double jogging stroller and we try to be active with our grandkids. We have pushed them in 5Ks. Our almost three-year-old granddaughter already loves running so I am hoping we can do a shorter race with her running too.

Do we do this story again after your 200th marathon?

Hahaha. No. I have a feeling this is already going to ruin my incognito status.

___________

Heather At A Glance ..

PR: San Diego Rock and Roll, 4:58

First marathon: Inaugural Phoenix Rock and Roll marathon January, 2004

150th marathon: Hatfield and McCoy Marathon, June 2025, South Williamson, KY 

Most recent marathon: Sydney, Australia. I was excited to get the seventh star, even though you only get a medal at six and nine. I just go home and throw the medals in a Rubbermaid bin, so I’m not sure why they are so motivating to me.

Next marathon: Marine Corps followed by the Kaveri Trail in India

Hardest marathon: Probably Pikes Peak. I’m not that good at trails or altitude, but I had a year where I decided to run all the hardest marathons in the U.S. It was a long year.

Favorite marathon: Hard question. I love NYC, I’ve done it a bunch of times. If anyone says they only want to run one race and have a top cheering experience, you can’t compare to the crowds of NYC. And getting to see all the boroughs on foot is amazing — every time. But NYC is expensive and hard to get into and the getting to the start and waiting is a pain. 

Other favorite marathon: My favorite marathon for me is the Flying Monkey Marathon in Percy Warner Park outside of Nashville. It’s a beautiful race and a tough course. Lots of friends always do it and you end in a field with beer and food trucks and just hang out and talk. The race director, Trent, has a day job as a professor at Vanderbilt, but he’s also a genius at race planning. The signs he makes, the views on the course can’t be beat.

Favorite running shoes: I kind of have a problem. I love running shoes. Thank goodness for in-store discounts and seed shoes. I tend to run in several shoes at a time depending on how I feel and what I’m thinking. I probably have owned more original On Cloudsurfers than anyone on the planet. But I also have run through lots of super comp trainers, Rides, Wave Riders, Cliftons, Ghosts. I just need a semi-stable neutral shoe.

Favorite running clothes: RunATL visors and shirts.

Running playlist: I find music distracting. I just run. Sometimes I meet people and talk to them. Sometimes I’m by myself and end up talking to trees or cows or just planning our next store event in my head. If I resort to music or audio books, it’s not a good day.