Hillarey (Holland) Warner readily admits she was the laziest runner on the Britton-Hecla cross country team during her high school days. At the time, running wasn’t a passion—just something she did to get by. But that would change in a big way.
Years later, Warner has become an avid runner with a deep love for the sport, especially half marathons. That passion recently led her to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: running in the New York Road Runners Half Marathon.
A Britton native, Warner began to take running more seriously after heading to St. Cloud State University. The college’s fitness center sparked her interest in consistent training, and she soon found herself enjoying outdoor runs as well. After running a few 5Ks, she completed her first half marathon in 2011.
“I got addicted,” Warner said.
When she transferred to Northern State University, she even walked on to the cross country team for a short time before work commitments pulled her away. Still, the habit stuck. Now, as a busy wife, mother, and business owner, Warner makes time to run several times a week—usually early in the morning and in all kinds of South Dakota weather.
“A big part of running for me is it’s my ‘me’ time and time to unpack as a busy mom and business owner,” Warner said.
“I’ve been made fun of for running during a blizzard warning,” she laughed. “But I prefer running outdoors to a treadmill.”
Warner has kept up her love of half marathons, running in events like the Fargo Half and one in Texas earlier this year. She often plans her races around her travel schedule, checking local race calendars wherever she’s headed.
“Also, some of my favorite runs are when I’m traveling, whether it’s a race or a morning jog,” she said. “You can get a lot of miles of sightseeing in and the view on a run is different than driving in the car.”
She’s also aimed high, applying for bigger races like the Chicago Half Marathon, though she wasn’t selected. So when she applied for the New York Road Runners Half Marathon in Brooklyn last fall, she didn’t expect much.
To her surprise, Warner received an email informing her she had been chosen. The odds were steep—only about 2% of applicants are selected, many through charity entries.
“I think maybe they picked me because I was from South Dakota or a small town,” she said.
Even with her spot secured, Warner hesitated. She was recovering from a running injury and hadn’t gone pain-free on long runs for a while. To prepare, she tested short distances and, after building up to several miles without pain, made the decision to go.
She traveled to New York with her five-year-old son, Benny, and her mom, Lisa. Despite some travel hiccups, she made it in time for the race and joined 28,500 other runners in Brooklyn.
Warner took it easy to avoid aggravating her injury, which allowed her to enjoy the experience—taking in the sights, snapping photos, and running all the way to Coney Island.
“I wasn’t breaking any speed records or setting a personal best, but I was proud I finished—and I had a great time,” she said.
After the race, Warner and her family stayed to explore the city and soak in the experience.
She now encourages other runners to challenge themselves and try new things, just like she has.
“I might not beat my personal record, but I enjoy the experience,” she said.
Warner hopes to run the Twin Cities Marathon later this year, and she’s still eyeing two races on her bucket list: the Chicago and New York City Marathons.
