KATHLEEN HARDING is a pro mountain bike racer who has loved spending time in the outdoors for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Pennsylvania’s countryside with active parents helped nurture this love. In her early teens, Kathleen began long distance running and cycling. By college, she was competing in cross country, and in her twenties she ran several half marathons and her first full marathon. Due to a nagging running injury from over-training and her husband’s infectious love of all things cycling, she began to pursue cycling, specifically mountain biking. In 2008, she won the overall Mid Atlantic Super Series (MASS) competition in the Women’s Sport Category and just a year later was competing in the Women’s Elite Category. In 2009 she won the overall Women’s Elite Category in the MASS. She began to pursue regional races outside of the MASS in 2010, and in 2011 earned her professional USA Cycling (USAC) cross country mountain bike license. In July of 2011, when she lined up with the nation’s top female racers to compete in the USAC National Championship in Sun Valley, ID, her goal was to finish without getting pulled or lapped. She was able to accomplish that goal without prior training at elevation.
This coming year, Kathleen will race for Team Cystic Fibrosis (Team CF), a group of cyclists committed to the development of a cure for cystic fibrosis. She looks forward to competing in National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series, comprised primarily of 100 mile mountain bike races, as well as cross country races regionally and nationally. She’ll race to meet her personal goals and to raise awareness for an important cause. Also, over the last few years while racing for Trestle Bridge Racing, Kathleen acted as Volunteer Coordinator to set up events with Good Works and the City Gate Mission out of Coatesville, PA. She coordinated groups of team members to assist with building projects, as well as make and serve meals to the local homeless. She truly enjoys giving back as much as she can.
When she’s not competing or training, Kathleen spends her days teaching second-graders and does her best to inspire and nurture their love for staying active and being outside. Mountain biking, climbing, and running through the years are gifts that she does not take for granted. They keep her healthy, balanced, and have taught her that she can set goals and work hard to meet them. Kathleen’s passion for her sport is best reflected in the good deeds she does for her community and the wisdom she imparts on the younger generation to always seek their passions and give back.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS & CREDENTIALS:
- Contributed to her Southern Vermont College Women’s Cross Country Team to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win in 2001
- Ran first marathon in 2007 in 3:49, despite being injured
- In first season of mountain biking in 2008, won the Women’s Sport Category in the Mid Atlantic Super Series (MASS) and moved up to the Pro/Elite Women’s Category
- In 2010, won the women’s elite overall category in competition with many Cat1 and Pro female racers, placing 2nd overall for the season
- 2011 race results: AFC Sugar Hill Patapsco – Elite Women – 2nd place; Bike Line Fair Hill – Elite Women – 1st place; Tour de Tykes – Elite Women – 2nd place; Campmor H2H #1 Waywayanda Spring Cleaning – Open Pro Women – 1st place; On the Rocks at French Creek – Elite Women – 3rd place; Greenbrier Challenge Maryland State Championship – Pro Women – 1st place; Iron Hill Challenge – Elite Women – 2nd place; Trail Spinners Fair Hill Classic – Elite Women – 1st place; USA Cycling PRO XCT National Championship – Pro Women – 30th place
- Earned professional cross country mountain bike license
- Women’s coordinator of Trestle Bridge Racing
2012 INTENTIONS:
- Race in the National Ultra Endurance Series Events (Syllamos Revenge, Mohican MTB100, Hampshire 100, Shenandoah 100)
- Race in USA Cycling Mid-Atlantic Qualifier Events (including Greenbrier Challenge)
- Compete in the Highland to Hudson (H2H) Series events as racing schedule allows
- Race in independent events including: Single-speed-a-palooza, Dark Horse 40, 24-Hours of Seven Springs, etc.
- Defend Mid-Atlantic Super Series (MASS) Elite Women’s title by competing in as many MASS races as racing schedule allows
- Race several races along the Pro-XCT tour and place in the top 20
- Compete in the Pro Women’s (cross country mountain bike) National Championship in Sun Valley, Idaho in July of 2012
- Race first 50 and 100-mile races in the National Ultra Endurance Series (NUE) and place in the top 10 for the series
Kathleen you inspire me greatly! Good luck with all you have planned for 2012!
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Congratulations Kathleen! Looking forward to your progress this season and with Team CF!
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Kathleen, you are as beautiful and graceful off the bike as you are a threat on it. You’re the true essence of a woman, and it’s inspiring. Wishing you a killer 2012 race season.
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Congrats Kathleen. Your bio is inspiring to young girls and women of all ages. I grew up in Coatesville and appreciate all that you are doing on a volunteer basis for that area. You are a role model to the next generation. Now go out and kick some butt in 2012!!!
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Kathleen,
second graders, wow. i teach them Sunday School and one day a week is hard enough. thank you for inspiring the next generation and setting goals only to exceed them. looking forward to where this year leads you. Maybe Athleta will incorporate more cycling gear into their line with your influence.
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Kathleen-
I also race the MASS series and I have always been impressed with your speed and endurance. I was fortunate to stand on the podium with you at the Bear Creek Finals for Women’s under 40-Elite. Congratulations on a great season and wish you the best in your future races!
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Kathleen Harding! Look at you! So happy to see you getting sponsorship. Really looking forward to all that 2012 has for you! Very exciting…
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Wow!! I am totally impressed
)
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Wow, Kathleen! This is wonderful! Keep up the good work! Best wishes for 2012! I had no idea I was working with a professional athlete!
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HEY! Congrats! Looked for you when I got the email announcing the winners. So happy for you! If you ever need some fly girls to be in your posse and model the clothes, K and I are up for the job.
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Kathleen – so excited when I opened my athleta email and saw your picture!! What a great opportunity to be sponsored by Athleta!! Have a great upcoming year and if competing in VT you always have a place to stay!
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Kathleen, if i don’t meet you sooner, we’ll definitely be cheering you on in Sun Valley next summer!
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Wow, thank you for your show of love and support! I appreciate each of your kind words so much!!
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Kathleen,
Kudos to you. It was vey inspiring to read about someone that is in my hometown. I grew up in West Chester but moved to Coatesville 8 years ago so it joys me to hear the volunteer work that you have done in the Caotesville area. I am a track coach at Rustin High School in west Cheter and even ran cross country, indoor track, outdoor track and summer track while attending Henderson High School and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. I am just getting back into shape for real this time and am hoping to run my first 5K in 15 years in June. So congrats and keep up the good work!!!
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Wow Kathleen I am sooo impressed with your accomplishments! What an inspiration you are to women of all ages. As a beginner mountain biker in my mid 50s you make me want to push harder. It is never too late! Thanks for being a wonderful role model and thanks to Athleta for sponsoring such a wonderful athlete!
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Way to go Kathleen!
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Thank you for sharing.. Shenandoah is so wonderful. Look forward to cheering you on!!
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Kathleen,
I especially enjoyed the legacy article about your grandfather. Finding that “spirit” in him is bound to give you even more strength in 2012!! Thank you also, for inspiring Maddie and for being such a wonderful role model to her. The time you take to help her train and your encouraging feedback gives her such a thrill! We all appreciate your kindness and genuine love for mountain biking! Best wishes and great health for your 2012 season!
The Henry’s
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