Growing up in Ottawa, Illinois, Coree Woltering had no idea that his future would be measured in miles—hundreds of them at a time. He wasn’t the kid dreaming of running ultra-marathons through mountains, deserts, and across continents. But that’s exactly where life took him.

Today, Coree is a professional trail runner, sponsored by Merrell, Janji, and Smartwool. His job? To take on some of the world’s most grueling and breathtaking courses, from the peaks of Colorado to the rugged landscapes of New Zealand. He’s raced in 20 countries and 49 U.S. states—Alaska is the only one left on his list.

But before all of that, he was a kid at Central Elementary, a student at Shepherd Middle School, and a graduate of Ottawa Township High School. His journey from small-town Illinois to global explorer is proof that even if you start in a place you love, you don’t have to stay there to grow.

If you asked Coree in high school if he’d become a professional trail runner, he probably would have laughed. Sure, he was an athlete—a four-year varsity starter in soccer, cross country, and track, collecting a record-breaking 18 varsity letters before graduating in 2008.

But running for 100 miles straight over rugged terrain? That wasn’t in the plan.

At first, his sights were set on triathlons, which led him to Greenville College in Southern Illinois. From there, he took a leap—moving to Boulder, Colorado, the endurance sports capital of the U.S. His goal was to become a professional triathlete, but something unexpected happened.

In Boulder, he discovered trail running.

He fell in love with the outdoor world, the challenge of elevation, and the unpredictable beauty of nature. Running wasn’t just about speed anymore. It became an exploration, a test of endurance, a way to see the world.

To many, running means paved roads, city marathons, and the Boston finish line. But trail running? That’s a whole different world.

“People think of running as the Chicago Marathon, or maybe Boston,” Coree explains. “Trail running takes you off the road and into nature—mountains, forests, extreme weather, all of it.”

His races are 100 miles long, non-stop. No sleeping, no extended breaks—just running, day and night, until the finish line. It typically takes him around 20 hours to complete a race, navigating rough trails, unpredictable weather, and sheer exhaustion along the way.

“It’s not just about physical endurance,” he says. “It’s about your mindset. You go through highs and lows, and you have to know how to get through them.”

Each race burns through over 7,000 calories, requiring meticulous planning, hydration stops, and a dedicated support crew to help runners keep going. But for Coree, it’s not just about finishing—it’s about the experience, the challenge, and the story that unfolds with every step.

As much as he travels, Coree never forgets where he started.

The lessons he learned in Ottawa—in sports, in school, in music—still shape him today.

“I grew up in the Ottawa music program,” he recalls. “Clarinet, saxophone, marching band, pep band—everything.”

Discipline, focus, and being part of something bigger than himself—those are things he learned early. Ottawa’s music program is legendary, boasting more than 20 consecutive state championships, and Coree was part of that tradition.

“You don’t want to be the class that breaks the streak,” he laughs. “You learn how to work hard, and how to play your part in something bigger than yourself.”

That same mindset carried over into sports. One coach in particular, John Person, helped shape his approach to life.

“He told me, ‘You could be a state champion, but I’d rather you experience everything.’ Not a lot of coaches say that. He encouraged me to explore different things instead of just locking in on one goal.”

That philosophy—to be open, to try new things, to follow curiosity—led Coree to where he is today.

For many in small-town America, leaving home can feel impossible. There’s comfort in staying put, in following familiar paths. But Coree hopes that young people in Ottawa see the world beyond their backyard—even if they ultimately return home.

“Ottawa is a great place to be from,” he says, “but there’s so much more out there. You don’t have to move away forever, but you should go see the world.”

For years, Coree hesitated. He felt guilty about leaving. But now, after running across mountains, deserts, and continents, he’s certain:

“The world is waiting for you. You just have to take the first step.”