Kandace McCarthy's passion for sports began in high school, where she played basketball, softball, and volleyball. In college, she continued her athletic involvement on intramural teams. Her journey into running started 25 years ago when she began her career as a first-grade teacher. Over the years, she has participated in numerous races, including five marathons and a memorable relay race from Madison to Chicago with a team of 10 runners. Her favorite race was the 2022 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, where she fulfilled her dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Kandace holds an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Miami of Ohio and has earned three master’s degrees—one in reading instruction and two in leadership—from Concordia University in River Forest, IL.
In addition to running, Kandace is a certified yoga teacher from CorePower, where she cultivated mindfulness, flexibility, and adaptability—key elements that complemented her running goals. She also worked at Stride, a running studio in Wilmette, teaching running, core, and strength classes. She has coached clients in health and nutrition, providing holistic guidance for overall well-being.
As the coach of Oakton's Cross Country team, Kandace is excited to start a new running adventure with great energy and passion for the Oakton Owls. She aims to help her runners discover their inner strength, using her motto: "Every step matters, and you matter. Every step is progress." Her leadership focuses on fostering leadership, sportsmanship, and responsibility both on and off the field.
Kandace is grateful for the support of her biggest fans—her three children, Lucy, Lily, and Mikhail—and her two dogs, Finley and Sadie.
