Karen Murphey

If we held a competition for our nicest racewalker, Karen Murphey would be wearing a medal. She is a pal who knows how to be a caring friend. Karen can calm your nerves before a race and make you proud of yourself after the race. And during, she is a pure and fun competitor. We’ve all seen Karen giving a big hug to opponents at the finish line after giving them a run for the money on the course!

Karen’s walking history began in 1990 when she joined a weight program through Mercy Hospital called "My Style". The program recommended that the participants pick any exercise they like, so Karen shoes walking, thinking she could do it faithfully. She proved herself right—a decade later and she keeps going faster and further.

Another of Karen’s claims to fame is that she is Kelly Murphey-Glenn’s mother. Kelly returned to Idaho in 1990, the same time Karen began walking. The two joined forces and started doing fun runs in 1991. Karen’s only history in competitive sports was some high school activities 30 years prior. Karen’s and Kelly’s first race was the Wings to Wings 10L in 1991. They both got ribbons and they both got hooked. For the first three to four years, they did a fun run every week, virtually placing in each one. They even did Robie Creek the first year. As Kelly became fine-tuned as a racewalker, Karen kept up the pace. Karen participates in out-of-town races, the Portland to Coast Relay, Las Vegas Marathon, making friends everywhere she goes. Karen will be 60 next spring and plans to continue competing, including Masters competition.

When Karen isn’t walking, she isn’t stagnant, either. In the past two years, she’s taken lessons in golf and downhill skiing. Golf isn’t as scary as the skiing, Karen says,and then mused about changing over to cross country skiing On Sunday nights, you’ll find Karen at the roller skate ring in Nampa. Wherever you find Karen, you find a good friend in her.