Scotty Scott: Fueled by curiosity, coffee and community

Durelle “Scotty” Scott doesn’t run to race — he does it because of the way it makes him feel.

“Running,” he said, “has been one of those things that primarily isn’t exercise per se; it’s a time when I’m outside, feel truly alive, and am able to daydream.”

In college, he competed in triathlons, and he’s been on the go ever since — building a life centered around family, exploration, and community while running and biking the roads and trails of the New River Valley.

A Pennsylvania native, Scotty arrived in the New River Valley in 2008 to join Virginia Tech’s Biological Systems Engineering department. Today, he’s a regular at Tuesday track sessions, drawn by the chance to be outside and connect with friends.

Beyond running, Scotty’s interests reflect his endless curiosity. He’s an avid cyclist who has completed both the Shenandoah 100 and Leadville 100, a cook who whips up homemade shakes, tasty pizzas, and post-run meals, and a coffee connoisseur who scouts out local shops when traveling. “Lately I’ve enjoyed learning how to sew,” he said.

While he may not run to compete, he’s still a fierce competitor.

Many days, Scotty’s running partner is the family’s dog, Lewis. In December, as Scotty and his Blacksburg Striders teammates prepared for the USA Track and Field Masters Cross Country Championships, Lewis tagged along for the team’s Saturday workouts at the Virginia Tech cross country course, often tugging Scotty toward the front of the pack. It turned out to be quite an effective training method.

In January, on his birthday, Scotty lined up at nationals in Lubbock, Texas, ready to help his team capture the 50+ national title.

“Scotty takes off like a rocket on the first lap,” recalled teammate Ignacio Moore. “I immediately think, ‘Well, that’s not part of the plan and he’s going to come back slowly or blow up completely.’ He does neither and runs the race of his life. I was super impressed and happy for him. We all train and race for that moment when it all comes together. But it so rarely does. To see that happen for Scotty in such a big race was amazing! It couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”

Andy Norton, a teammate who finished just ahead of him that day, added: “Scotty is a joy-fueled runner. I was just waiting for him to catch me on the next hill and mustering the strength to cheer him on. We could see that race coming during Saturday training on the XC course, as Lewis’ leash grew slacker by the week.”

On a tough course under windy Lubbock conditions, Scotty covered the 8K in 30:44, finishing 10th overall — a memorable performance fueled, fittingly, by a cup of coffee from a local shop.

He carried that momentum into the spring, running a 3:01:12 at the 2025 Boston Marathon — nearly 30 years after first tackling the iconic race in 1996.

At 51, his focus remains simple: stay healthy, stay curious, have fun.

“Over the last several years, it’s my running friends that collectively have pushed me to levels I didn’t foresee,” he said.

This fall, Scotty, his wife Jen, and his son Eliot will embark on another new adventure together — relocating to Raleigh, N.C., where Scotty will serve as a department head at N.C. State University. While the decision to leave Blacksburg was difficult, the move exemplifies Scotty’s spirit of exploration.

As longtime friend and training partner Kevin Byrd put it: “‘Whoop-whoop’ is frequently Scotty’s rallying call for a run, which is always met with his enthusiasm for the sport and the camaraderie of miles shared discussing all facets of life with genuine curiosity. His friendship in and outside of running will certainly be missed.”

Brad Paye echoed that thought: “Scotty is just a tremendous endurance athlete,” he said.  “But, when I think of Scotty, what really comes to mind is his perpetual positivity and extraordinary kindness. He’s really the nicest dude. Frankly, hanging out with him challenges me to be a better person. I’m not saying that Scotty is a saint…I’m just saying that he might be. I’m really going to miss him.”

(Check out what others are saying and add your comment or favorite memory about Scotty below the Q&A.)

Name: Durelle “Scotty” Scott

Hometown: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Occupation: Professor, Biological Systems Engineering

Family? Jen, my wife, went to VT and has lived in the area on and off since college. I have 3 kids – Beatrice and Nola graduated from Blacksburg High School in 2017 and 2020. Eliot is in 6th grade. 

You were on the triathlon team in college, right? Yes. During high school, my hometown hosted one of the triathlons on the Bud-Light USTS race circuit. My dad was often on a team for the running leg. By the end of my junior year in HS, I knew that I wanted to do an entire triathlon. The catch was that I had never swam more than 200 yards. So I joined the swim team my senior year – which was a humbling experience. My graduation present was a road bike, and that August I did my first triathlon. After my first year in college, I transferred to CU Boulder which had a triathlon team. Participating on the team got me hooked – we won club nationals in 1993! I completed my first and last ironman, and for that matter triathlon, in 1998 at the Canadian Ironman – 11 seconds shy of breaking 12 hours. 3 months later Beatrice was born and I sold my bike.

Do you still bike/swim and how does that complement you running? When I came to Blacksburg, I bought a mountain bike and began riding on the Poverty Creek Trails. During the summer and fall, I’ve generally embraced the time as my biking season. The longer endurance races caught my attention as a challenge, and now I’ve completed the Shenandoah 100 3 times and Leadville 100 twice. Over the last 5 years, my biking buddy Kelly Dunn and I have explored miles and miles of gravel roads from Blacksburg into West Virginia. While I don’t stop running in the summer, I think the changeup has helped me stay healthy.

What’s your secret to staying healthy and motivated over the years? It just feels good. For me, running has been one of those things that primarily isn’t exercise per se; it’s a time when I’m outside, feel truly alive, and am able to daydream. Over the last several years, it’s my running friends that collectively have pushed me to levels I didn’t foresee. Last December, my mom was visiting. When I got home from work, it was dark, raining, and in the 40s. She asked if I was still going to track…and the answer was yes! The camaraderie and having some collective goals helps.

What’s the most scenic or memorable place you’ve ever run? I bring my running sneakers with me whenever I travel, and have enjoyed seeing many new places on my feet. One of the runs I did while living in Colorado and last ran in the summer of 2008 is the Pawnee Pass trail in the Indian Peaks west of Boulder, CO. The trail starts at over 10,000 and climbs to over 12,000 over 5 miles running by alpine lakes, mountain streams, and up to a pass with an incredible view on a clear summer day.

Your typical training week? I generally run 6 days a week – Tuesday track, Saturday long run, and Thursday off. I continue to strive to do more strength training as well as stretching, but struggle with forming a habit even though I know they would be good for me long term!

Most satisfying running accomplishment?  A hard question – every week I seem to have one. A recent one was at a Tuesday workout where I ran with Andy Norton doing mile repeats. Running before dawn and seeing the sun rise is something I also find really satisfying – – and while I don’t do this often, when I do the rest of the day is generally fantastic.

Proudest running moment? In the most recent past, it’s been running in XC club nationals with my friends and fellow striders. We’ve won 2 years in a row!

Advice for new runners? Try to find a group of people that motivate you to show up; run outside; learn how to fuel your body; and find a mantra that works for you on those days or races when all you want to do is stop.  

Roads or Trails?  If I had to choose one, trails.

Any running superstitions or rituals? Bagel on race day morning. I often show up to a race in jeans and an old jacket (with running clothes underneath). Coming in under the radar.

Favorite post-run recovery/reward meal?   Weathertop brats at the Blacksburg Farmers Market.. Indian run pastry.

When you aren’t running you are probably …? Working, parenting, and partnering.

Fact most people don’t know about you?  My name. Durelle Tower Scott IV. My first name is from a town in Pennsylvania; I’ve never gotten an explanation for my middle name. My friends call me Scotty. 

Fitness goals in the next few years?  Stay healthy. Work on core strength. Have fun.

What’s your mantra during a race or hard workout? Lately it’s switched to using “you” messages. “You can, you will, you won’t be denied”. The mantra’s been adapted from Reba Rush, an incredible mountain biker. And using You messaging is something I learned from my former college roommate who writes some great insight on running research at Alpfitness.com

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