Rainshadow Running Gorge Waterfalls 100k 2015
Kay Downes-Allen
Introduced to the sport of hashing by her dad, Kay grew up in the South West of England believing that tracking blobs of sawdust cross country through brambles and bracken, tussock and mire, in search of a pint at the finish (shandy for young Kay) was perfectly normal behaviour. Little did she know that this would turn out to be perfect training for braving and enjoying the outdoor delights of the PNW in all-weather.
Although after leaving high school she then entered a long, bleak, sedentary wilderness she eventually regained her legs in her thirties. A summer holiday spent in her home town on the edge of Dartmoor spurred the burning desire to just take off and run solo across her beloved moors, and up and down a few tors.
This story might have just ended with a sated whim, but while feeling particularly stodgy following the birth of her second child, her husband also bet her that she couldn’t possibly race a 5k by the end of 2009.
Kay is just a little competitive. She took the tossed gauntlet and ran with it. Now she is challenging herself to ever longer distances and likes nothing better than getting out on the trails, splashing through mud, and running up mountains to enjoy the views with her trusty canine sidekick, Zennor.
Zennor and Kay love to Run Magnolia together and are a bit of a fixture at Seven Hills Group Runs. Seven Hills Running Shop is more than simply a place to buy supplies, it has become a beacon of PNW trail running and camaraderie. Kay is excited to officially share her appreciation and spread the running love by proudly flying Team7Hills colors.
2016 Races:
2015 Races:
Favorite Shoes:
Scott Kinabalu HS
Altra Lone Peak 2.5
Merrell All Out Peak