Joy Tirado

Hometown: Spartanburg, SC

Races Completed: 19 half marathons, five 5K's

Favorite Streaker Gift: I use that green fanny pack quite often when I train and even during races!

Traveling Far for the Streak: From 2016 through 2020 I lived in San Luis Potosí México and traveled every year to Atlanta for those 5 years to not miss a race. Because the city I lived in and trained in was 6100 feet above sea level, my training allowed me to run so much better during race day with minimal training.

Crazy Memory: In 2016 a few hours after completing the half marathon I had to fly to China for a business meeting and remember having to stretch my legs often during the 17 hour flight. We almost missed a connecting flight in Seoul Korea and we had to sprint for about 5 minutes to get to our gate, and how stiff my legs were from the race and flying!

Grateful Miles: I almost died of carbon monoxide poisoning the day before my first ever half marathon (Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half/Full Marathon) in 2005. Needless to say, after 6 months of training couch to 13.1 miles, I spent Race Day in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Every half marathon I participate in after that fateful day I choke up with emotion at the start line, knowing that training for a half marathon gave my body the endurance to survive what could have been tragically an end to my life. I silently thank God for my healthy brain, heart and lungs at the start of every Publix Half Marathon. I have every metal and bib from my last 19 races.