Willie Tibbetts has been chosen for this week’s Team Ortho Ambassador award.  Congratulations! Willie has been running and participating in running events since she was introduced to the game of tag as a kid. Today, Willie is a dedicated volunteer and advocate for Team Ortho Foundation.

TO: How did you first become active in Team Ortho Foundation?
WT: I participated in the Team Ortho Marathon Training Program [in 2009] and from there learned more about the races and wanted to do more than just cross the finish line. John Larson and Caleb Olsen have been huge contributing factors to my running and involvement. Available when you need them, consistently offering support and their enthusiasm promotes an active community.

TO: What is it about Team Ortho Foundation that keeps you coming back to our events as a participant, volunteer or sometimes BOTH?
WT: Team Ortho is more than an organization, it feels like a family. I have met people who started as running acquaintances and have evolved to be potentially life friends and training partners.

TO: Do you have any recommendations on how to recruit people to live a healthy and active life?
WT: I talk about Team Ortho frequently whether it’s from questions from others or my enthusiasm to share the excitement I have experienced. I invite friends who are not sure about wanting to complete their first running event, to [watch] an event and understand how these events are for everyone.

TO:What is your favorite Team Ortho Foundation event and why?
WT: I can't pick a favorite because they each are individually fantastic. Last year’s Monster Dash was a blast because I wore a costume and so many kids were on the course cheering us on with high fives, running along with us for a bit giving us candy or saying "OH MY gosh mom! Ballerinas can run!" I didn't want to upset the girl, but I was actually Glinda the Good Witch who traded in her crown for a pair of running shoes (see picture at right).

As a thank you to Willie, we will be sending her a Duathlon pull over.