Meet Local Hero Roxanne Strine

Derick: In your bio, it mentions that you enjoyed the outdoors from a young age. What did the outdoors look like and mean to you as a kid? 

Roxanne: I grew up in a river town and that's what we did, where we went, for entertainment. We didn't have cell phones. We went down to the river trails that was all part of my growing up. Now I'm within ½ hour of that same location. My mother's 96 and she's in the area. 

Derick: Nice! The outdoors has a way of keeping you young. You’re a trail runner and have even set an FKT (Fastest Known Time), right?

Roxanne: Yes. I had the FKT on the Mason Dixon Trail, 203 miles, but then there's these younger women that come along. The latest one was just about a month ago, and she did it in 3 days, 20 hours and 21 minutes or something like that. 

Derick: You did it in how many days?

Roxanne: I did it in 5 ½ days, and then another lady came along, and she did it in 4 ½. Now the record is 3 ½ days.

Derick: But hey, you're the first to accomplish such a feat, and your name will always be tied to the trail as the original record holder. You and whoever holds the title now—that’s actually pretty cool. As for me, I’m not about speed in the woods. It’s just not my thing. I’d much rather take my time and go the distance as a thru-hiker.

Roxanne: I just signed up for the Appalachian Trail starting April first. 

Derick: Very cool. I did it in 2012. I had an amazing time, I’m sure you’ll have a blast. Ok, you do trail maintenance along the Mason Dixon Trail. What does that consist of?  

Roxanne: Clearing blowdowns and weed whacking. If there's bees on the trail, we try to take care of them because bees were a big problem this year. If it's really bad, rather than destroying the hives, we just shut that part of the trail down or put a sign up saying there’s bees here. 

There’s three of us that maintain all of the Mason Dixon Trail. I have the western terminus, which goes from Whiskey Springs and northern terminus down to Lot 15. It's actually the hardest part of the trail. 

Derick: What's the most challenging for you as a trail maintainer, either from the trail or from hikers or the community? 

Roxanne: The community's good as far as telling us where and when there's a blow down.  

 I guess getting maintainers, it's hard to get because it's a long section that I have, and to get maintainers to constantly go in there and check it out because I can't be at all the places. I guess keeping maintainers for certain sections  

Derick: It definitely takes dedication and time, which is exactly why you're so valued by everyone who enjoys the trails. 

What's the best part of being a trail maintainer? 

Roxanne: Just being out in the woods. I feel like a kid. I turn the phone off and just go.

Derick: The rest of my questions are actually from Oboz. They’re curious—who's your favorite local Oboz dealer, and which pair are you currently rocking? 

Carol: Right. And a lot of that is communicating with the person. It's a, “Do you mind if I ask you or do you mind if I ask you because it will help me help you enjoy this experience the most?” You talk to the person, you talked to whatever caregivers are with them in the situation if there are any. Then you adjust as you get to know the person.

Roxanne: They have Oboz footwear at Flying Feet Sports Shoes, and Shoe Fly in York. There’s the Sierra Club Sierra store, and of course, REI. 

Derick: Yeah, REI always carries Oboz footwear.

Roxanne: You know, people see me and it's like, “What kind of shoes are you wearing?”

Derick: Oh nice, they’re intrigued by your shoe style. I have the yellow Katabatic Wind, and when I was on the Long Trail in Vermont, people were like, “Wow, those shoes are good-looking.” 

Any pro tips for folks hitting the trail? 

Roxanne: Well, if you're going for a long hike, let somebody know where you're going. Because you might not always have cell reception, and always have a snack, like an energy bar or whatever. 

Derick: Yes, you're burning a lot of calories during long hikes or runs, and you're absolutely right—that's really important. 

Roxanne: And water is important. Make sure you have a filter, so you can filter your water if needed. I knew people who had to go to the hospital because they were just totally dehydrated. They were disoriented and I mean that can really mess you up. 

Derick: Yes, it can. Good tips. 

So, who nominated you and what's your relationship with them? 

Roxanne: Michelle Cook, an AT ambassador, nominated me. I know her from when I used to coach cross country. She sometimes hikes with us. She's involved with the Appalachian Trail.  We’re good friends, I’ve known her for probably 20 years. 

Derick: Is there anything you want to add, anything about you or about the trail or what you're doing?  

Roxanne: OK well, as far as with trail running, I actually ran my first trail race when I turned 40, and I turn 70 in another week, so it doesn't matter what your age is. Just get out there and do it. 

For more information on our Local Heroes check out this page. To stay up to date on all things Oboz check out our Instagram @obozfootwear!