World Mountain Running gold medalist has partnered with sponsors to create six days of giveaways in promotion of 2021 daily planners and training logs, in addition to preparing for upcoming 5,000 track race and road half marathon

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

During a year where so many opportunities have been taken away from athletes at all levels as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, including the chance for her to compete for another medal at the World Mountain Running Championships, Grayson Murphy continues to want to give back.

Less than a week after Thanksgiving, the Saucony professional and reigning World Mountain Running women’s champion has continued to demonstrate gratitude to both her sponsors and loyal supporters by creating a “Week of Giving” that begins Tuesday and runs through Sunday.

Her platform appropriately begins with “Giving Tuesday,” annually recognized by the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which continues to acknowledge “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.”

The promotion is also scheduled to overlap with Murphy competing Friday in the 5,000 meters as part of the two-day Sound Running “Track Meet” event.

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In addition to making a huge impact in the disciplines of mountain and trail running following her graduation from University of Utah in 2018 as a five-time All-American, Murphy has also developed into an impressive entrepreneur, creating customized daily planners and training logs available for purchase in the shop section at www.racin-grayson.com.

In addition to sharing the training logs and planners, which feature weekly inspirational quotes, monthly journal exercises and habit trackers, along with recognition of both Black History and Pride months among other unique features, Murphy has also partnered with Nuun Hydration, COROS Global, Sweat Cosmetics, InsideTracker, Ultimate Direction and Saucony to create some impressive giveaway opportunities.

“This year has been one of extenuating circumstances and I am so proud and honored to have had my sponsors stand by my side both athletically and in support of me as a small business owner,” Murphy said. “It means a lot when a company wants to work with you and stand by you even when you aren’t able to race. I think this year, I have leaned even more heavily on the training logs and planners as a way to give back to and engage with the running community while I wasn’t able to be racing and traveling as much.”

With most of her racing devoted to mountains, trails and roads during the past 18 months, Murphy will be competing in a 5,000-meter track event for the first time since 2018, which is part of the bigger preparation for running Dec. 13 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Half Marathon.

“Part of the reason that I chose to race the 5k over the 10k this weekend was because I am using it as a tuneup race for the half,” Murphy said. “(Racing) 10ks can take a lot longer to recover from, so the 5k allows me to get in a good hard and fast race effort without too much risk. Additionally, I haven’t raced a 5k on the track since 2018 Indoor NCAAs, so I was excited to revisit the event and challenge myself to go after bettering my old PR. It’s also a great chance to look at what a year and a half of mountain running can translate to on the track, so it should be interesting.”

Murphy hasn’t competed in a race since Sept. 26 at the Jim Bridger Trail Run in Bozeman, Mont., a 10-mile competition in the Foothills of the Bridger Mountains, where she was the fastest female and second overall among more than 150 competitors.

But in addition to growing her business, Murphy has also been excited to have a pair of races on the calendar to keep her motivated during training in recent months.

“As far as goals go, a PR would be amazing, but otherwise just looking to get in a good race effort before the half next weekend,” said Murphy, who boasts an indoor 5,000 personal best of 15:44.45 from three years ago in Boston and a top outdoor mark of 15:58.29.

Murphy continues to promote her daily planners and training logs with an optimistic approach that they will be more useful than ever next year. She is also encouraged to conclude her “Week of Giving” with The Ultimate Direction Hydration Pack on Friday and Saucony shoes on Saturday.

“I know that personally I am looking to 2021 with a lot of hope right now and I think that a lot of people can relate to that,” Murphy said. “And the winner will have their choice of any hydration pack off of the Ultimate Direction Website. The packs are great for runs where you need to bring extra fuel, hydration, clothing, etc. A trail runner’s best friend.”

Although the guidelines and restrictions of the pandemic this year haven’t allowed Murphy to see all of her new friends in the mountain and trail running communities from around the world, those challenges haven’t prevented her from remaining connected with her most dedicated supporters, whose loyalty will be rewarded when the winners are announced Dec. 7 following another inspiring demonstration of gratitude and selflessness by the gold medalist early in her professional career.

“I am really excited with all of the participation from my sponsors. It will be a great week,” Murphy said. “The support that my sponsors have shown for my Week of Giving shows their support for me as a woman small-business owner, and I think that's a really great thing to be supportive of.”