Gregg Peters is our May Community Captain of the Month!
Originally from North East Pennsylvania, Gregg now calls Beckley, WV home for himself and his three children. Two of the three kids are still at home with Gregg and participate in a multitude of sports. Gregg’s son Corbin is on the swim team at WVU Tech and is a raft guide, as well as a trained Active SWV Community Captain. Gregg’s other son Kyle is on the Woodrow Wilson High School cross country team, swim team, and track team. Gregg, Kyle, and Corbin enjoy canoe and kayak racing, triathlons, and runs.
Gregg is active for the challenge. “I love pushing myself beyond what most people, and sometimes myself, think I am capable of,” says Gregg.
Gregg has always been active, and started with road and mountain biking. After moving to Virginia, he got started flatwater paddling after some knee problems during marathon running. As the years have progressed, Gregg has been involved in various sports but paddling has remained his primary activity.
Gregg became a member of the Active SWV Fayetteville Running Group four years ago. He had been training for a 340 mile canoe race and wanted to cross train by running. Members of the group then persuaded Gregg to do an 8 mile training run, his longest run in 20 years. Shortly after that, he ran a half marathon with a goal of under 2 hours, which he achieved. Gregg then dabbled in ultra running, competing in the Cabin Fever 50K. Now, he participates in the Beckley Running Group as well and says, “The running groups in Fayetteville and Beckley have been great at welcoming my boys and I into the Active SWV family.” His experience as a participant led Gregg to volunteer as a Community Captain as a way to give back and introduce others to his true active passion, paddling.
Gregg stays motivated by setting and reaching his goals. In the next year, his goals include the Missouri River 340 mile paddling race, as well as a few 50 mile and 100km runs. In the past, Gregg has struggled with many health conditions, both physically and mentally. Being active and getting into sports and nature has made him healthier and happier. Gregg stays active to keep his problems in the past.
Gregg thinks everyone should join an Active SWV free program because there are so many programs covering many regions and activity types. “Active SWV has made it easy to stay motivated, and the weekly programs soon become weekly meet ups of friends. The Community Captains and attendees are all absolutely amazing people!” he says. All of Active SWV’s Community Captain programs are extremely welcoming and accept people of all ranges of fitness. Walkers come to running groups, etc. In the years of their participation in Active SWV’s programs, Gregg has seen his sons become better athletes, and he has witnessed countless people reaching challenging goals.
To keep up with Gregg and all his paddling programs, see the Active SWV website calendar.
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