Member Spotlight Archive
Julia Tiller
April 2024
Julia Tiller is a recent Carrollton transplant, happily settling in the area after living across the United States (Alabama, Texas, New York, Washington, D.C.) and Canada. (She’s a dual citizen.) She is engaged to Toby, her “better half,” who doesn’t run but cheers her on. They have three dogs, one of whom is pictured with her. Julia is a data analyst in education by day, and a visual artist by night, and previously worked with children with autism for over a decade.
Julia’s running journey began when she was 30 years old and she ran her first 5K. But she says she didn’t run consistently until she had a health scare at age 34, and then ran even more during the loss of her Dad months later. Moving also had a big impact on her running. “I shied away from outdoor running until I lived in Washington, D.C., which has a lot of museums to visit while logging miles. Running in a big city was chaotic at times but helped me build confidence. I also first tried group social runs while there and loved the casual group atmosphere.” She has since run two half marathons and a number of 5Ks, and says that consistency is her greatest running accomplishment. “I strive to run almost every day, and I hope to keep running at any age. I’d like to continue cultivating a love for running, and the rest will follow.”
What has been the most interesting race she’s run? “It may be the 12AM race in Kennesaw that occurred during daylight savings so we finished the race around 2AM,” she says. “Another interesting one was a 4K on July 4th that circled a racetrack in North Georgia while families watched fireworks.” Her favorite race, however, is The Race for Hope 5K, an annual fundraiser for the National Brain Tumor Society. It occurs in various cities each year and recently started in Atlanta. Julia explains, “Last year, I’m happy to say, I started a team (Tiller’s Troopers) on behalf of my Dad, who lost his battle with brain cancer. Our team raised over $4,000. I’ve never done something like that before. I’ve joined Race for Hope in D.C. and Atlanta, both as a runner and volunteer. It never fails to move me.”
Her main reasons for running are physical and mental health. “On days when I run, especially early in the day, my head feels clear. I love to experience the outdoors, even in the elements. Something about running in the morning while everything is quiet is special. I love to greet other people walking, cycling, and running. The Carrollton Greenbelt makes me happy. I also like to run on streets around the Carrollton Square.” Her favorite route is going past the Square, up Rome Street to Hobbs Farm, and past the Buffalo Creek/Dairy Farm segment of the Greenbelt. “Just discovering new things along the Greenbelt is rewarding. I feel very fortunate to have access to paths like the Greenbelt; Not every town has this!”
So what’s next for Julia? She would like to try trail running and roller skating! She says that either of these would be fun if she can avoid injury. She also has a goal of stretching daily and adds that yoga has been helpful to supplementing running.
Julia is an active member of WGTC because she wants to continue meeting others with a similar passion for running. “WGTC has been a lot of fun to run with, and I’ve made memories with these kind folks. It’s unpretentious, funny, and fun. I encourage anyone who hasn’t yet to come out and try it!”
Dr. Terie
January 2024
Dr. Terie Smith-Phillips wants to show people that runners come in all shapes and sizes, and that you can run at any age. Why does she run? “Because I can,” she says, and then adds, “And also to stay halfway healthy."
A retired educator, Dr. Terie still lives on the farm in Bowdon, Georgia where she was raised by her grandparents. She retired from Carroll County Schools in 2016 after closing out her career as Principal at Providence Elementary School. She also worked for Carrollton City for seven years as a Student Support Coordinator.
Dr. Terie’s running journey began in 2012 when she signed up for a “Run for God” class that she thought was a Bible study class. That class showed her that anything is possible and that you can start a new hobby at any age. Since her accidental foray into running, Dr. Terie has completed more than 50 5ks and 10ks, and 46 half marathons all across the United States, including half marathons in Honolulu, Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska. Her goal is to complete a half marathon in all 50 states. (She only has six states left!) She also wants to run a race in another country. Which race has been her favorite? “My favorite race was the Missoula Half Marathon in Montana. I had the pleasure of meeting the race director and listening to his “why” about the race. I must have made an impression on him because two weeks later I received a goodie package from him. The course was picturesque and the volunteers were some of the best that I had seen at races.” Her least favorite race, she says, was the Hatfield McCoy Blackberry Half. “It took place in the middle of nowhere and you ran along with traffic right beside you. It had never ending hills.”
When she’s not racing across the US, you can find her logging miles on her favorite local routes. “My favorite route is from CVS to downtown Carrollton. I also love running on the Carrollton Greenbelt, especially the part near Castle Playground,” she says.
Dr. Terie currently serves as President of West Georgia Track Club. She says that she became a member of the club so that she could be part of a running group in her area, to learn more about running, and to meet friends from different backgrounds. She says that WGTC has helped her build relationships with all types of runners.
KADWIN EDWARDS
June 2023
Kadwin (pronounced “kade-win”) has accomplished huge personal goals in the last year and a half. At the age of 21, he wanted to make some positive changes to his health, so he took up running. His first race on this running journey was the 2022 Step at a Time 5K in Carrollton. The following year, he completed the Carrollton Half Marathon, the Atlanta Track Club Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, and in Spring 2023, he and his parents ran the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. Running is now something he looks forward to after a long day inside, serving as a good mental and physical outlet, as well as providing some much needed “me time."
So where does Kadwin like to rack up all these miles? Some of his favorite running areas are Mulberry Park in Dallas (especially in the fall!) and Hobbs Farm in Carrollton. Kadwin’s training on the Carrollton Half Marathon course with his family last summer really helped him accomplish his goal of running his first half marathon. We’re looking forward to seeing him log more miles on the course this summer as he prepares for his second pass at this challenging race.
Kadwin’s running goals for the next year are to complete a marathon. He has his eyes on the Kentucky Derby Festival next April.
Congratulations to Kadwin for accomplishing his goals and finding a new passion!