Tina Husted defied the odds in her early 40s, becoming one of the top masters runners in both the state and the country. She balances a demanding and multi-faceted life: she’s a real estate broker, artist, Active Release Therapist (ART), coach, and serves on the boards of the Ohio Arts Council and Ohio CASA. Additionally, she is the wife of U.S. Senator Jon Husted and the mother of three children, ages 29, 17, and 15. Husted was recently the head varsity golf coach at Upper Arlington High School and has also coached track at Worthington Christian School and track and cross-country at Worthington Kilbourne High School.

Born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Tina was an accomplished athlete in her youth. She earned All-Ohio Honorable Mention as a basketball point guard and was a multi-year state champion in track and field at Colonel Crawford High School. She continued her athletic career at Ohio University, where she majored in physical therapy with a minor in psychology, all while running track. During her time at Ohio University, she also volunteered at the student health center’s physical therapy department and with the Ohio Department of Youth Services.

In 2010, a simple challenge from a friend to participate in the Warrior Dash reignited Tina's passion for running and fitness. This led to a rigorous three-year training program that culminated in a personal best at the 2014 Philadelphia Marathon. That year marked a breakthrough in her career: she completed three marathons, all under three hours. Her times were impressive—Philadelphia in 2:46:55 (7th woman overall, 1st masters), Grandma’s Marathon in 2:47:27 (25th woman overall), and the Columbus Marathon in 2:47:06 (4th woman overall, 1st masters). In addition to her marathon successes, she ran the 2012 JFK 50 Miler, finishing 8th among women with a time of 7:22:44. That same year, Runner’s World Magazine named her one of the top 15 master female runners in the country.

Despite a back injury and subsequent surgery that led her to semi-retire from competitive running in 2016, Husted once again defied the odds. In 2023, she returned to the ultramarathon scene, finishing 8th overall in the grueling Mohican 50 Mile Trail Race, which features 5,500 feet of elevation gain. Along the way, she raised over $2,000 for a scholarship fund she created at North Central State Community College to support young women pursuing a college degree.

Tina is an active member of Riverside Global Methodist Church, where she sings in the Agape Choir and participates in contemporary praise groups. After the passing of her father in 2006, she and her brothers established a brain cancer research fund through Ohio State University, which has now raised over $500,000. Her faith in Christ is reflected in her service to the church, where she volunteers in various capacities. Additionally, she helped obtain a national license for Open Table, a nonprofit mentoring group dedicated to helping homeless individuals and those living in poverty.

In her spare time, Tina enjoys creating original artwork, which can be found at tinaspastels.com. 

FCA Involvement:

• Woman of God with a passion for sports, understanding the influence sports can have.

• Uses her platform as an FCA huddle leader, supporting Lifewise Academy and other church initiatives.

• Open about her faith in the community.

• Top-class marathoner with a legacy of athletic excellence.