Joe B. Raymond III, Mississippi, 28
Profession: High School/Middle School Band Director, Trombone player for the U.S. Army National Guard
What inspired you to start doing races?
My fitness journey began like most people’s journey, I decided I needed to lose weight. I began running in the fall of 2011 and figured if I was running two to three miles a few times a week for recreational exercise then I should sign up for a local 5k. I picked out one that fit into my schedule a couple of weeks away and hit the pavement. I had a friend who had run a few 5ks and half marathons pull me along and keep me going during the race.
Do you walk, run or run/walk, swim, cycle, do obstacles?
I love running. That’s not to say that there isn’t a little walking in
some of my races.
What distances do you do?
I’ve run every distance up to 26.2, but I prefer the marathon distance.
How many have you done?
I have done 33 marathons and 17 half marathons.
What do you feel is your greatest race accomplishment?
Finishing back to back marathons in Wisconsin and Michigan. The Mitten Challenge is when you complete the Wisconsin Marathon on Saturday and the Kalamazoo Marathon on Sunday.
Favorite race and why?
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon, without question. I have participated in this event four years in a row, and plan to make it every year that I can. In the NYC Marathon there are 50,0
00 people running for thousands different charities. In Memphis there are 25,000 people all running for the same incredible cause. The city opens their doors for runners during race weekends. I’ve been lucky enough to tour St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital twice over the years and really had the chance to experience all that the race has to offer its participants.
Do you travel for races?
Almost exclusively. Mississippi marathons are few and far between.
Does your race schedule become expensive? How do you afford to make it happen?
I kept a running total of all race expenses in 2015. I ran a handful of local events, four half marathons, and 11 full marathons; including three Run Disney trips and managed to keep the cost for everything (registrations, travel, parking, hotel, food, expo purchases) to a surprisingly low $4,200. Less than $1,000 of that was total for race registrations. (Including the Dopey Challenge). The biggest key to running a lot of races at a relatively low cost is to take advantage of charity perks, hotel room sharing, and monitoring for deals and savings where you can in flights and travel.
Must-have gear on race day:
Garmin watch, Sparkle Athletic Visor, Flip Belt (because who wants to carry their phone), and the GoPro to capture all the
fun.
Weirdest place you’ve ever chafed:
I’m lucky enough to not face this battle often. I have had some trouble on my wrist though from the strap that connects to my selfie stick. You remember I run with the GoPro at all times.
Do you prefer to run in warm weather or cold weather?
Warm weather. Mississippi does not adequately prepare you to function in colder climates.
Favorite pre-race meal/snack:
Coffee & a Clif bar usually on race day.
Worst experience during a race:
During the Little Rock Marathon in 2014 it was raining ice off and on, and temperatures were dropping fast. It was clear that worse weather was making its way through central Arkansas. We were told by volunteers at Mile 21 that the event was cancelled and that busses were coming to pick up runners. Most of us kept pushing forward toward the finish line because we had to get there anyway to gather our belongings. We were told that the finish line had been turned off and taken down, which was not the case. It was still fully functioning when we arrived.
Most awesome moment you’ve ever had at a race:
At the 2016 Los Angeles Marathon I had the privilege of running as a Guide for a Blind Runner. He put his full trust in me to lead him across his hometown and reach his third marathon finish line. Finishing that race with him was incredible. Listening to him talk about his challenges in training and seeing how inspirational he was to the people around us is something that I will never forget. Every person that passed by told us how great it was to see him out there on the course.
Your favorite part of participating in races:
Making people smile, whether they are runners or spectators. I’m the runner that comes through the course yelling for the crowds to make more noise, and the one tries to learn about the runners around me on the road. We have nothing but time to kill.
Do you wear costumes? If so, what’s been your favorite?
I have occasionally dabbled in some variations of costumes. Usually nothing extravagant. My favorite is Waldo. This is my go to outfit for the Mississippi Blues Marathon each year. Constant shout outs across the course keep it fun. “There you are! I found you! I’ve been looking for you!” I always tell them that I got there as fast as I could.
How important are awesome medals to you?
At one point early in my running they were incredibly important. I wanted the big medals and the pretty medals. I was picking races based on how great their medals looked. Over the last couple of years that has changed, and now I’m picking races based on how great they are organized and how many of running friends will be around. A great looking medal is just icing on the already epic cake.
Best medal you’ve earned so far:
I have a lot of really great medals but my favorites are from the Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge. They do a great job of making them colorful and tie in to the theme of running in Bayou Country of Southern Louisiana.
Do you prefer to run alone or with a buddy?
Most of my runs are out by myself, however I prefer group running.
Favorite song on your playlist:
Mickey Miles Podcast. Always fresh, always reliable, and always entertaining. Music is my life and career, but I’m not a music runner.
Who is your race hero and why?
I love watching Shalane Flanagan run. On the elite level she’s an incredible ambassador for the sport. Getting to see her up close running by at the Olympic Trials in Los Angeles was an incredible experience.
What is the top race on your bucket list?
Berlin Marathon. I want to run all six of the world majors at some point, but Berlin looks like such a great race year after year that I have been trying to get there for a while.
Your advice for others who might be intimidated by signing up for a race:
Find something that fits into your comfort zone, however small or big that may be. If it’s signing up for a local 5k with a friend or jumping into a half marathon across country by yourself. If you find the right race that has a clear mission that speaks to you 
then don’t let the intimidation of other runners hold you back. Every race I run is about me being better than I was yesterday, not necessarily faster than I was yesterday, or faster than anyone else is on that day.
Anything else you’d like to add?
You can follow me on all social media outlets @Run8va and check out my blog at www.Run8va.com
