Tripp McCallie Keeps Running Faster And Faster

Longtime YMCA Employee Enjoying Benefits Of Outdoor Sport

  • Thursday, July 9, 2015
  • John Hunt

Tripp McCallie was a better than average runner in high school, but he’s taken the sport to a new level in recent years.

He grew up in Rossville, about a mile from Chickamauga Park. He later ran cross country and track at East Ridge High School, where he graduated in 1987.  He was also a member of the wrestling team, but running was more his thing at the time.

Now almost three decades later, he’s running like never before.

He is currently the Director of Development and Mission Advancement for the downtown YMCA.  He’s been employed by the Y since he graduated from UTC in 1992 where he majored in recreation.

He did his internship under Lee McChesney at the downtown branch as part of graduation requirements and he’s been there most of that time since.

His first Y-related job was in 1994 when he was hired as the program director for the Henry Branch.  The facility on Park Avenue wasn’t doing very well at the time, but that’s where the wiry McCallie got his start.

“We had no programs and very few members, but I was hired as the program director from 1994-97,” he said while relaxing in his office Wednesday morning.

“I conducted swim lessons and I worked a lot of lock-ins,” he laughed, noting that he did 46 the first year on the job.

He eventually got promoted to the North River branch in the same capacity before being named the Executive Director for the North Georgia branch in Fort Oglethorpe, where he spent the next seven years.

He moved back to North River in the same capacity for three years and he’s been in his current position for the past five years.

“I’ve been with the Y 23 years total and it looks like I may make a career here, but I love what I do as I’ve been able to stay in the community where I grew up and advance through the organization,” he explained.

During that time, his love for running came back to life.

He’s now run eight marathons, the first one in Knoxville on March 30, 2008.  That first one wasn’t very positive as he wasn’t properly prepared and he struggled to finish in 3:58:39.

“I wasn’t ready for it, but I did it.  The first half was really neat as we ran through some nice neighborhoods, but it was a painful experience the second half.  I love running with music, but not even the sound of Rocky helped.  It was pretty neat running through the tunnel as we entered Neyland Stadium, but I was just focused on finishing,” he recalled.

McCallie, who will celebrate his 46th birthday on July 17, then got really serious about it some three years ago.

“I had entered the Ram Run 5K at OLPH in 2011 and realized I might be able to do well if I just trained a little bit.  I’m a competitive person and I’ll do the best I can every time, but I’m always running against the clock and I always want to get better.

He joined the Chattanooga Track Club in 2012 and took part in 14 of the 16 CTC races where he finished fourth in the Joe McGinness Runner of the Year competition.  He also broke 20 minutes for the 5K that year.

He hasn’t slowed down since.

Just last year, he was the Masters Runner of the Year in the CTC.

“I showed up, did most of the races and had the most points at the end,” he responded.

He also started back on the marathon trail that same year where he posted a time of 3:39 at Chickamauga.  He qualified for Boston in 2013 with a sparkling 3:13 before going even faster in 2014 with a 3:11.

And just this past April, running in some of the most brutal weather conditions possible, he posted another personal best with a 3:10:22 at Boston.

“I grew up about a mile from Chickamauga Park and that’s where I did most of my marathon training.  I was on a 6:52 pace for the first 19 miles – that’s the pace you have to keep to break three hours – but I realized on the second Newton hill that I wouldn’t be able to maintain that pace,” he recalled.

“My body was not prepared for all the downhill running in the first 15 miles, but it was raining and cold and a terrible headwind that day.  I crossed the finish line with my head down,” he shook at the memory.

“We have some relatives who live on Beacon Street, so I was staying about two blocks from the finish line.  By the time I got back to their apartment, my lips were turning blue as I was freezing to death.  I was in such pain for that last hour, but I felt better after I warmed up,” he nodded.

Going to Boston was a unique experience in itself, but he and his wife Heather celebrated their 20th anniversary two days later.  Their two sons, Logan and Landon, also made the trip to Boston.

“We went to Charleston the next weekend by ourselves to celebrated,” Tripp smiled.

“I’ve gotten PRs at almost every race since 2012, but it’s getting harder as I think I’ve plateaued.  Being around faster runners inspires me to be better,” he said matter of factly.

“Qualifying for Boston the first time was one of the highlights of my running career.  I needed a 3:15 to qualify and I had a 3:13.  Dean Thompson was leading the 3:15 pace group that day and he’s the one who helped get me there.

“I’ve sort of skyrocketed since then.  Boston was a PR, although at the time, it didn’t feel like it.  I see myself doing less and less races in the coming years, but I’m drawn to the marathon.  It creates such a feeling of accomplishment and you have to have a good training plan to be successful,” he added.

And what about his marathon plans for the future?

“I’m hoping to go back to Boston again next year, but I’d love to do the six majors, including Boston, New York, Chicago, Tokyo, Berlin and London.  We just want to travel and see the world a little bit,” he admitted.

“Since Boston, I’ve averaged about 30 miles a week.  It’s so time consuming and running isn’t everything.  I’m real involved in my family and I have other interests, so I just try to stay balanced.

“I hope to one day learn how to play a musical instrument and to learn a second language,” he concluded.

Running has allowed Tripp McCallie to experience victory and defeat in real life situations.  He’s met some wonderful friends along the way and it’s been a win-win deal for the most part.

His only regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner, but he’s enjoying the fruits of his labor these days and that’s all that matters.

(This is the 58th in a series of features on runners in Chattanooga.  If you know someone who might make an interesting story, email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

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