Phelps County Focus · Fort Smith, AR
World record holder to speak at HEROES Marathon event
Since learning about world records at a childhood Book Fair, Meredith Smith wanted to set a world record. She got the chance when she decided to earn the “most T-shirts worn during a half marathon (female)”. Meredith achieved her goal on March 30, 2025, at the Fort Smith Half Marathon in Fort Smith, AR, wearing 55 t-shirts, symbolizing the 80 pounds of weight she’d lost since taking up running in 2013. On Nov. 20, 2026, Meredith will be in Rolla to speak to HEROES Marathon Event participants the evening before they race. Meredith’s running journey began as way to lose weight. “As a kid, I hated running,” states Meredith. “But as an adult, I love the support and encouragement of the running community.” Besides losing 80 pounds, Meredith has completed over 80 races since 2013. Meredith is a legal assistant and she and her husband, Coleman, became the parents of a son in June. Meredith says, “having run marathons before my pregnancy helped, especially mentally.