Katie Kellner
Women's Marathon
Qualifying Time: 2:32:48
Qualifying Race: 2023 BMW Berlin Marathon
Date of Birth
08/04/91
Age on Race Day
32
Current Residence
Boston, MA
Hometown
West Windsor, NJ
High School
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
Current Affiliation
Craftsbury Green Racing Project
Profession
Coach/Owner of Forward Focus Running
Marathon PB
2:32:48
First Trials qualification
No
Previous Trials
2016, 2020
Number of attempts to qualify
2
College(s)
Cornell University
Career Highlights
2-time member of Team USA (2013 Chiba Ekiden and 2014 Great Edinburgh Cross Country); 3-time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier; 3-time NCAA Division I All-American; 3-time Heptagonal Champion
Family
My 30-year-old sister, Caroline Kellner, is also a very accomplished runner, who ran with me at Cornell University. She ran her personal best in the marathon (2:40:12) this past year. My Golden Retriever Jackson (Jax) does a lot of training with me. We often run 8-12 miles together in trails near Boston. He loves it!
Greatest Accomplishment
I am proud of how consistent I have been with my training since middle school and how I've been able to continue to gradually improve over the past 20 years. I have a lot of gratitude for my high school and college coaches who pushed me, but also knew how much to hold me back so that I could excel in the future. Professionally, I am very proud of starting my own run coaching service, Forward Focus Running. I really enjoy the relationships I form with all of my athletes and being a part of their running journeys. Forward Focus Running just passed 5 years of business a few months ago.
Interesting Story
In Sept 2019, while out on a training run, I saved a man and his dog who were drowning in the Chestnut Hill Reservoir in Boston, MA. Runner's World also wrote a story about this. Also, my teammate Caroline Williams and I both ran our first OTQs at the 2022 California International Marathon. The video of Caroline finishing, just below the standard, went viral on Instagram. Runner's World wrote a story about our OTQ journey and friendship.
Favorite Book
Weyward by Emilia Hart
Favorite Movie
Marley & Me
Favorite TV Show/Series
Firefly Lane
Favorite Song
Unstoppable by Sia
Favorite Post-race Indulgence
Brownie Ice Cream Sundae
Favorite Breakfast
Oatmeal with berries and walnuts
Favorite Motivational Quote
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu
Favorite Running Memory
I love the day-to-day with my training crew in Boston. I am really grateful to have such a fun group to train with and I love starting my day, even if it is before the sun comes up, on a run with them. Working with friends toward big goals is a unique experience that I love being a part of.
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