At age 11, Amelia North crossed a half-marathon finish line in Oro Valley and covered the 13.1 miles in just over two hours. She smiled as her mom finished 19 seconds later.
That 2018 race was a turning point for the now Rincon/University High School senior.
“It was so much fun. I was inspired and people were encouraging me along the way,” said North, who won the Under-18 age group. It was then that she “knew I wanted to keep running.”
Rincon/University cross country runner Amelia North warms up as the team gets ready to run a 5K for a multi-school meet at Reid Park on Oct. 16.
The 17-year-old has pursued running — mostly alone and out front in her races this cross-country season — and it has paid off. In nine meets this fall, she’s won all but one, where she was second at the Ojo Rojo Invitational in September.
North has run 18 minutes, 24 seconds over 5K (3.1 miles) and her time of 17:44 on Oct. 19 in Marana at the Eye of the Tiger invitational is the fastest in the state across all divisions this season, according to Athletic.net. (Personalized data tracking says the Marana course may have been short.)
Rincon/University cross country runner Amelia North gets some separation on the last competitor, kicking through the last leg of a 5K at a meet at Reid Park on Oct. 16.
After a 10th-place finish at the Div. I large-school state meet last year, North is a top pick to win her first state title at the meet on Nov. 2 in Phoenix.
“Winning state is a goal this season,” she said. “When I race, I am reminding myself that I can do it and push through. I don’t think about anything but the race and moment.”
That was true even at that first half marathon. The significance of that race with her daughter is clear to Sheli North.
At the very end of that half marathon, Amelia asked “Can I go fast,” Sheli said.
“She stayed with me the whole time and didn’t slow down. I knew she could do the full distance,” said Sheli, a third-grade teacher at Whitmore Elementary. “Now, she’s progressed every year. She is dedicated.”
And, she is fast. Amelia aims to run for a Div. I collegiate program, and as she closes her high school cross-country career, here are five things to know about her:
Rincon/University cross country runner Amelia North climbs a hill with a teammate on the first lap of a 5K during a meet at Reid Park on Oct. 16.
1. Arizona is in her sights. Even before she officially visited the University of Arizona earlier this fall, Amelia was clear she “loves the UA” and the runners here in Tucson. “I can see myself there.”
2. Amelia Madisyn North is the third of four girls — all A.M.N. Sheli and Travis North, a Tucson Fire Captain at Station 12, have four daughters. “A lot of people are surprised that I have three sisters,” Amelia said. “And we all have the same initials!”
3. She’ll have an iced vanilla latte, please. Rather than caffeine before a race like some runners, Amelia prefers her coffee post-race with her teammates. Those after-race gatherings will be missed after graduation, she said.
4. The river paths bring her joy. A long run sends Amelia along the Santa Cruz River path starting from Mercado San Augustin or on the trails along East Broadway Boulevard. “Those are my favorite training runs,” Amelia said.
5. Someday, she could be your PT. Minor injuries throughout her running career sent Amelia to work with a physical therapist, illuminating a career path. She aims to earn a degree in physical therapy with a minor in nutrition. “I’ve learned a lot from my own injuries and I want to work directly with athletes.”
