Run for Education Profile: Melanie Voss

How long have you been in here? We moved to Benicia in 1992. I'm originally from Davis.

How long have you been running? I started running when I was a teenager. I ran in 7^th grade in the track program at school. I did very well then I decided to take a break

Why did you stop? Because I didn't like the pressure. People always thought I was going to come in first and I didn't like that, so I took a couple of years off.

Did you run in High School? I mostly did soccer, but then the soccer coach said I should go out for the track team in high school. I started track in 10^th grade and went to state for three years in high school.

What about college? I got a college scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I had a great time. The program was amazing. I did both cross county and track. I got a little burned out after that. Then I got married, had a couple kids.

How old are your kids? I have a 14-year old and a 12-year old.

How old are you? I am 41. I had to check that 40-box...

Do you run regularly? I have a friend I meet across the bridge and every Thursday we run. That's how I've stayed in shape over the years.

Do you compete in major races? I really like to just work out. I don't really like to race but I'll do 5k or 10k runs. I don't know anyone who likes to put their body through marathons.

What did you win last year? Overall female winner, but my time wasn't that fast. There are a lot of faster women around but they didn't show up that day.

Any hopes for this year? I just hope my daughter has a good time. She's doing the 5k.

Is this her first race? She's done the one mile race and did cross country at the Middle School, it's wonderful. She had a positive experience so she will continue to run. She's got the genetics to run.