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Community Corner

Locals Only: Patrice Malloy

Half-marathon runner gives new meaning to the term "world class."

Completing a half-marathon is a worthy achievement, but completing one on every continent is an almost unfathomable feat. In fact, eleven people in the world have reached that milestone — and one of them is local resident Patrice Malloy. Starting with the Antarctica Half Marathon in 2002 — where she was the top overall female finisher — Malloy has run Australia’s Gold Coast, Reykjavik, Iceland, and the Great Wall of China during her around-the-world globetrotting. It was all part of the job for Malloy, who was a tour group leader for Marathon Tours & Travel; she also wrote articles and took photos of many of the races, and was published in the Wall Street Journal and Runner’s World, among others. She is the head of Malloy Marketing, where she promotes active lifestyle events, active travel and nonprofit missions, among them the recent Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon and the America’s Finest City Half Marathon. When she’s not on the run, the 14-year resident enjoys life in Encinitas with her two terrier-mix breed dogs.

Most memorable half-marathon experience: It was my first half-marathon on what is known as the “Last Continent” — the Antarctica Half Marathon. At the time, the course included a run up and down Collins Glacier on King George Island, located at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. I was running down the glacier and was in awe of the spectacular scenery in front of me — the white expanse of the land below and the contrasting pristine waters of Maxwell Bay. I couldn’t believe I was running a race in Antarctica. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.

Favorite place to run in Encinitas: I always run by the Cardiff Kook to see what he’s up to, then run along the coast south to Cardiff State Beach and/or north to Swami’s with an occasional run though Cardiff’s Composer District to get a hill workout in. I used many of the bluff staircases for “step training” when I was preparing for the Great Wall Half Marathon in China. There were more than 1,600 steps to climb up and down in that race.

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Favorite local active lifestyle/sports event: The Encinitas Sports Festival held in May. There is something for everybody — a 5K race, kids race, paddleboard race, triathlon, duathlon, and one-mile swim. It attracts world-class athletes and weekend warriors alike. I won the women’s division of the 5K about 10 years ago. That was fun since it was a local race and I was so used to traveling for them.

Favorite meal at a local restaurant: I recently had lunch with a sportswriter at . We ordered seafood, of course. It was a beautiful day; we were outside on their balcony watching surfers, paddlers and whales spouting. I felt like I was on vacation.

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Last purchase made in Encinitas: I had my car radio replaced at . I rarely need to leave Encinitas to buy or service anything. In fact, I walked home while they worked on my car.

Ideal Encinitas day: Just like Encinitas, nothing fancy: A morning run or walk along the coast with my dogs followed by a visit to the for some provisions. On weekends, I may go back to the coast to walk my “Turbo Terriers” and to watch the surfers.

Favorite civic/nonprofit organization: . I adopted one of my terriers from there. The process could not have been more perfect.

Favorite local business: in the Lumberyard. They are very knowledgeable about recommending the right product for you plus I believe it is important to support one’s local, independent running specialty store.

Favorite Encinitas event: Cardiff Dog Days of Summer. I love the dog-friendly atmosphere in Encinitas/Cardiff.

Best thing about living in Encinitas: Living here is like living in a vacation destination but without the expense or time commitment of a vacation. Even though I travel to some of the world’s most revered travel destinations, it is hard for me to leave home since few places are as nice. Plus, it is such an athletic, healthy environment with a local feel. I have never felt so at home.

The one thing she’d like to change about the city: Traffic, especially near schools and on El Camino Real. I think the city is at capacity development-wise.

A place in Encinitas more locals should visit: The meditation gardens at the . It is so peaceful.

How she would dress up the Cardiff Kook: As a runner, especially now that the Kook has its own race, the

Best place in the city to watch the sunset: Moonlight Beach. There is plenty of parking and plenty of beach to find your place in the sand.

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