Avid runner Kelly Gray is taking on the Solid Energy Huntly Half Marathon for the first time this month.

The 21-year-old student is no stranger to running events, and is looking at beating her time in last year's Hamilton Half Marathon. "I've done Round the Bridges 12km run, and the Norske Skog 11km Fun Run twice. Last year I did the Hamilton Half Marathon and came in at 1hr 50min. I set a goal for under 2hrs for that half marathon and I achieved it."

Gray aims to complete the Huntly Half in 1hr 45min but says it's challenging balancing training, work, and study. "I have a part-time job, I'm doing a Bachelor of Tourism at the University of Waikato, and I'm studying personal training at the Institute of Health and Fitness. It has been really hard trying to fit everything in, but I think you've got to prioritise and make sure you're not being lazy."

Gray's training regime combines running with cardio and weights at the gym. "It's hard getting up in the morning but it's got to be done. I don't have as much of a social life as what I had before. I've had to cut back on going out with friends just because I want to be healthier."

However, she has received a lot of motivation from friends and family, and will be joined by two friends in the Huntly Half Marathon. "One of my friends ran the Hamilton Half Marathon with me last year, and I beat him - and I keep teasing him about it. So he's going to run the Huntly Half with me but I just want him to do it with me so I have someone to beat."

AGray has been running since intermediate school, and won top prize for cross-country and athletics at Kawerau College. She says some of her running achievements include the King of the Mountain race in Kawerau, running up Mt Edgecumbe (Putauaki) which is 820m above sea level. "I ran that in 1hr 20min which is my fastest time yet."

Her ultimate goal is to complete a full marathon. "I just love the feeling when I run and the feeling of achieving something."

The 2011 Solid Energy Huntly Half Marathon and 2XU 10km run takes place on Sunday May 22, 2011. The annual event, which starts and finishes at the Huntly Park Domain, has $15,000 worth of merit and spot prizes on offer, including $1000 each for the first female runner and first male runner home.