While playing soccer in high school Michele (Shelby) Bryceland knew that she would never be a star player since she lacked the necessary skills but, recognized that she was great at running up and down the field. Thus began her entry into cross country and track. Since that time, Shelby has gone on to break records at Virginia Wesleyan College (VWC) in both cross country and track and field including the 5,000m, 3,000m, and the 1600m. After graduating in 2013 Shelby “fell in love with the half marathon distance immediately” and has completed four ten mile races and finished as a top racer in all four half marathons in which she has competed. Among them was last year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach where she was the 6th female finisher.
On September 6, Bryceland will be running again in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon Series in Virginia Beach, this time with an EndDD.org team sponsored by Travelers Insurance Company through their “My Drive Comes From” campaign. Also running are Joel Feldman (EndDD.org founder), resident and Virginia Wesleyan College alum David Kidd, and Laura Carney.
Kidd, also a former WVC runner, is a school record holder in multiple events and one of the most successful distance runners in the history of the college program,” said VWC Head Men’s Coach Mat Littleton. David’s continued success after college has included a personal best of 1:10.06 at the 2014 Shamrock Half Marathon, and a 1st place finish out of 2,145 at the 2012 Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure 5K in Virginia Beach. In 2013, David was the 2nd finisher out of 9,579 runners in the Baltimore Half Marathon. He is currently an assistant coach of the cross country team.
Runner Laura Carney, lost her father to a distracted driving accident in 2003, has participated in EndDD.org presentations and will also be running in the NYC Marathon this November in support of EndDD.org.
For every mile run by the team in Virgina Beach, Travelers will donate $100 to EndDD.org.
Thank you to the EndDD.org team and to Travelers Insurance Company for supporting our efforts to raisse awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.
Shelby’s Current Personal Best times by Distance and Awards received throughout her career:
5k- 18:30
6k (cross country) 22:37
8k- 31:48
10k- 39:00
10 miler- 1:03:18
1/2 marathon- 1:23:16
Shelby’s four half marathon finishes:
Shamrock 2014- 3rd in age group
Rock N’ Roll Virginia Beach 2014 -6th female finisher, 1st Hampton Roads female finisher
Harbor Lights 2014- overall female winner
Shamrock 2015- 2nd in age group
Related Links:
Travelers Partners With Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series and Asks “What Drives Runners?” – “My Drive Comes From” campaign to raise money for EndDD.org (End Distracted Driving), RunRrocknRoll.com
Kidd and Bryceland to Race for a Cause in Rock and Roll Half Marathon, Virginia Wesleyan College, September 3, 2015
