Joy Menefee

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Races Completed: One marathon, 18 half marathons

Joy's Favorite Memory: When I ran the ING marathon in 2007, my younger child, Zach Spangler, had just turned two and he went on many training runs with me in the baby jogger. When Zach turned 14, he ran his first Publix half marathon with me and continued to run with me every year until 2025 when he ran his first marathon at age 19! We love sharing this tradition together. (Let me be clear, when I say that Zach "runs with me," I really mean that we show up to the race together and leave together -- he is MUCH faster than I am since he is 20 and I'm 59!!)

Joy's Most Difficult Obstacle: In 2023, I had major foot surgery at the end of October and did not know if I would be able to keep my streak alive. I was on crutches until after Thanksgiving and still wearing a boot until the first week of January 2024. I tried to start jogging again in February, but I was still in a lot of pain and my foot remained swollen. The day before the half marathon, I was not sure if I should attempt to "run" the race. I decided to go through with it and the race was my slowest half marathon ever; however, I completed it and am so proud that I did.