Heroes on the Run: Kelton Miller
For every virtual race in 2020, NYRR is highlighting frontline and essential workers in our Heroes on the Run series. Running is a source of strength, especially over these last several months, and we are grateful for the everyday heroes who keep our community safe and keep us running—sometimes while running themselves. These runners inspire us with their bravery, dedication, and selflessness and it is our privilege to recognize them.
This week with the Virtual Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5M, we honor Kelton Miller, a production shift supervisor at Poland Spring's bottling facility in Hollis, ME, as our Hero on the Run.
Kelton hasn’t missed a day of work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Poland Spring facility in Hollis is the largest bottling factory in the country and the second largest in the world, and Kelton manages the day-to-day bottling operations for all the shift workers.
In most years, early spring is the factory’s quietest time. This year, however, it became one of the busiest periods on record, as Poland Spring saw a dramatic increase in sales in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an uncertain and pressure-filled environment, Kelton saw Poland Spring put its employees first by changing procedures to implement social distancing practices. “The team here has exemplified Poland Spring’s commitment to safety by limiting risk of exposure,” he said. “I believe that we managed to calm everyone’s nerves by quickly implementing these changes and providing health screening checks and masks daily.”
The safety procedures—along with the relentless pace of work—have remained constant. “While everybody else is staying home, we have been staying at work and working overtime,” said Kelton.
“As an employee and member of the community, I have had the utmost respect for how the company has handled the situation,” he said. “It is an honor and privilege for my team to remain employed and continue providing quality bottled water for the northeast.”
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Kelton served as a military police officer from 2013 to 2015 in Okinawa, Japan, with frequent travel to Korea and the Philippines to help lead Marine Corps training missions.
To help relieve the stress of long hours this year, he has run almost every day during the pandemic, typically three to four miles at a time. “During high-stress situations, running has always been my outlet and has helped provide better focus in my life,” he said. “I enjoy the challenge and competition of pushing myself mentally and physically.”
Follow #HeroesOnTheRun to join us in celebrating Kelton and all of our everyday heroes. NYRR will feature a runner who is serving or served on the front lines of the pandemic as our Hero on the Run for each of our remaining virtual races in 2020. Learn more and complete our survey if you'd like to be considered as a Hero on the Run.