Xterra Bios 2014 Trail Running National Championship€¦ · Pasadena, California Men 45‐49 Age:...
Transcript of Xterra Bios 2014 Trail Running National Championship€¦ · Pasadena, California Men 45‐49 Age:...
Rance Blair Tampa, Florida Men 55‐59 Age: 58 Rundown: Rance is a back‐to‐back XTERRA Florida Trail Runs Series Points leader for his age group. Rance loves the camaraderie when it comes to racing and sees each race as a personal conquest for him to bring his best. He says that XTERRA trail runs always challenge him and are not like any other trail runs that he competes in. Rance prepares by doing boot camp three days a week and running for three days.
Kelly Crymble Ogallala, Nebraska Women 40‐44 Age: 43 Rundown: Kelly was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and was unable to participate in sports as a child. However, she started running in her late 30s and, to her surprise, running helped her better manage her Rheumatoid Arthritis. She runs often and has to train especially hard because she is not able to mimic the treacherous terrain in Utah from her home state, Nebraska. Kelly motivates herself and calls herself her biggest competitor and seeks to improve at every race. She finished 1st in her age group at Cheyenne Mountain this year and hopes to add more accolades to her running career.
Jeffery Dinkin Pasadena, California Men 45‐49 Age: 48 Rundown: Jeffery loves the challenge and the unpredictability when it comes to trail runs. Trail runs never get monotonous to Jeff and they always pose a challenge. He says that they force you to have to focus your attention at all times. His favorite XTERRA venue is Malibu Creek because of its length and difficulty. Jeffery is a two‐time XTERRA age division champion for the Southern California region for 2013 and 2014. Jeffery plans to continue his success as an XTERRA athlete and is running and cycling 10‐12 hours a week to prepare for his next event.
Amberjean Goodman Dothan, Alabama Women 20‐24 Age: 24 Rundown: Amberjean has had sights set on qualifying for Utah for two years. As a child, Amberjean was unable to compete in track and field due to a heart valve murmur. However, she started racing two years ago and fell in love with the sport. XTERRA trail runs have taught her what her body is capable of when you train hard every morning. Her desire to compete is driven by her family, her daughter and her will to prove that people are capable of anything if they put their mind and heart into it.
Ryan Guerena Phoenix, Arizona Men 25‐29 Age: 29 Rundown: Ryan has raced three of the four Arizona series races this year and unfortunately, forewent on the last race due to injury. He plans to come back healthy and compete in the National event. Ryan is motivated by his daughter who believes that he is the fastest person in the world. Ryan says the XTERRA Trail Runs are fun, competitive and include all entry level of runners. With his diet of endless yogurt and granola to prepare, Ryan hopes to make his daughter’s speculation come true at this year’s National Event.
Dr. Dave Hale Columbia, South Carolina Men 50‐54 Age: 52 Rundown: Dr. Dave Hale has been an inspiration to those who have dealt with cancer or PTSD. Dr. Hale is a Stage 4 cancer survivor who was given a 2% chance of surviving and he is an Army retiree that suffers from PTSD. Endurance running is cathartic to him and he uses running as a platform to control his diseases. He wants to show others that with a strong desire to conquer, you can accomplish what others believe are impossible. Dr. Hale has competed in 19 races this year in four different states and is now preparing to conquer Nationals.
John R. Mitchell Altamonte Springs, Florida Men 65‐69 Age: 67 Rundown: John has been racing in XTERRA for two years and returns for the challenge and the excitement. He enjoys trail run because they are more of a challenge and because of the picturesque views. John is training by running in the heat of Florida and trying to find any hills to run on in Florida in preparation for Utah.
David Mulligan Colorado Springs, Colorado Men 50‐55 Age: 53 Rundown: David, an Air Force retiree, is returning to Utah for his third time in four years. XTERRA trail runs are his favorite series because you get to run off the beaten path and experience the spectacular scenery. David has had success in XTERRA races and finished second in his age group this year at Beavercreek.
Maureen Needham Peoria, Arizona Women 30‐34 Age: 31 Rundown: Maureen is a retired member of the U.S. Short Track Speed Skating Team but has not quit competing. This is Maureen’s second year running for XTERRA and this year she has competed in the Arizona series. Maureen was first in her age group for points in the Arizona Series this year.
Adriana Nieves Seminole, FL Women 45‐49 Age: 48 Rundown: This year Adriana has completed every race in the Florida series, one race in South Carolina and four races in the Puerto Rico series. Her best overall finish was second overall for females in a race in Puerto Rico. Adriana continues to trail race because the terrain is softer than running on the road and she believes there is more mental focus when it comes to trail running. Adriana has only been running for five years and will test herself at this year’s Nationals.
Don Quinn Everywhere, USA Men 40‐44 Age: 43 Rundown: Don has been racing XTERRA races for four years, although this is his first year racing in the XTERRA National Championship – a goal of his since he first began racing. Don is a full‐time RV‐er with his wife for four years and consider themselves XTERRA Trail Run Ambassadors. Don won his age group in the Atlantic series this year and is preparing for Utah
Randall Rapetti Camino, California Men 55‐59 Age: 59 Rundown: When Randall is not tending to his Christmas tree farm you can find him running the trails of California’s Gold Country. Randall has won his age group in Colorado for two years in a row for the XTERRA Regional Championship. He has been training diligently for this race and goes to the gym or runs every day to prepare. Randall starting running when he was 53 years old and now runs weekly with friends on Sunday mornings to prepare for races. Randall wants to continue staying in great shape as he ages and is using running and XTERRA races to accomplish his goal.
Eric Rignot Irvine, California Men 50‐54 Age: 52 Rundown: This is Eric’s third year racing XTERRA and his best overall finish was 1st in his age group and 13th overall. These are impressive accomplishments considering he has only started racing when he was 35. Eric looks to improve on that feat this year at the National Championship.
Shay Robertson League City, Texas Women 45‐49 Age: 48 Rundown: Shay has been running since high school and admits that she was not very fast then but enjoyed the sport of running. Her persistence has paid off and she has come a long way, where now, she finished 1st in her age group for Magnolia Hill this year. She is in a family of runners. Her husband, Mike Robertson, competes in the XTERRA triathlon and her daughter, Maddie, is starting to compete in races like her parents. Her coach, Chris Sustala, is motivating her for the National Championship as she continues to run to prepare for the event.
Michelle Roy‐Hurt Hampton, New Hampshire Women 45‐49 Age: 43 Rundown: Outside of running Michelle fundraises money for The Melanoma Foundation of New England, does gravel racing on bikes and open water swimming. She is currently preparing for the National Championship by mountain biking and doing open water swimming. Michelle dreams of putting her hobbies together to be able to compete in an XTERRA triathlon. At this moment, she looks forward to being able to run at elevation with the best trail runners in the United States.
Laura Schaefer Northridge, California Women 25‐29 Age: 25 Rundown: At only 25, Laura has already overcome three knee surgeries and recently returned to running. She is preparing for Trail Running National Championship by building her endurance by running hills. Laura is motivated by people that tell her that she cannot achieve something and cannot wait for Utah’s amazing trails. After she completes this race, Laura plans on running as many XTERRA races that she can for the rest of the year.
Jennifer Senior St. Petersburg, Florida Women 30‐34 Age: 31 Rundown: Jennifer fell in love with running because of how it would push her to her limits. She has been training extensively for two years and her dedication has paid off with her qualification for Nationals this year. Jennifer is preparing for Nationals by finding any hills she can run in St. Petersburg. She has even taken a trip back to her hometown of Weedville, Pennsylvania, to be able to run more mountains. Jennifer is looking to build on her accomplishments as a runner at this year’s Nationals by running at a similar elevation and similar terrain.
Kari Taylor Colorado Springs, CO Women 35‐39 Age: 37 Rundown: Kari was surprised by the opportunity to compete at Utah this year but wants to be ready for this race. She is running races every weekend and doing social runs during the week to prepare herself for the Championship. This will he Kari’s third year racing in XTERRA and continues to race to keep herself healthy and active.
Cheri Toomey Uno Los Angeles, California Women 65‐69 Age: 69 Rundown: Cheri is a veteran in XTERRA races and has been racing for a decade. Cheri has continued to return to XTERRA because they are her favorite races in some of her favorite places. Cheri loves the XTERRA National Championship last year and was excited to be able to return this year. Cheri is staying healthy by competing in races and continues to run and walk daily.
Keith Lotatoa “Lota” Ward (Pictured Left) Layton, Utah Men 9 and under Age: 7 Rundown: Lota’s passion for racing is driven by those that are not as fortunate as he is. He runs for his friend’s two brothers that suffer from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Lota understands that his friends will never be able to run like he does and he admirably runs on their behalf. At this year’s Nationals, Lota will be racing to bring awareness to SMA and to compete with his sisters, Tai and Nani. Only in the second grade, Lota is already an inspiration to his parents and everyone who knows him. Taimaneolevasapasefika “Tai” Ward (Pictured Right) Layton, Utah Women 9 and under Age: 9 Rundown: Tai’s favorite thing about trail running is the view and the tranquility of the trails. Tai is training for this year’s Nationals by running on the track with her siblings. Tai is also looking to win at this year’s Nationals so her and her siblings can travel to Hawaii together. One of her talents is that she can out burp anyone in her family including her father. Leilani Mildred “Nani” Ward (Pictured Middle) Layton, Utah Women 10‐14 Age: 10 Rundown: A fifth grader racing in her home state Utah, Nani is the oldest of the three Ward children that will be competing at this year’s Nationals. She prepares by running with her father and seeks to win a free entry to Hawaii. Nani’s occupation is being a kid and with that comes the responsibility of loving Batman. She will look to beat her brother – for the first time ever – and win a medal at this year’s Nationals.
John Williams Culver City, California Men 75‐79 Age: 77 Rundown: John has been racing in XTERRA for 4 years and has completed the Black Mountain and Malibu Creek races this year. John loves the dirt, challenge and the beautiful scenery when it comes to trail runs. He is motivated by the effort it takes to compete in a trail run and strives for the feeling of accomplishment that he receives when he finishes a race. To prepare for the National Trail Running Championship John has been running every day.
Adrian Wolford Mustang, Oklahoma Men 75‐79 Age: 76 Rundown: Adrian did not start running until he was 51 years old. Since then, he has completed over 650 races. Adrian has once finished 1st in his age group and now aspires to accomplish that feat again. He is running 40 miles a week in preparation for the Nationals and to hopefully again finish first in his age group. Adrian enjoys being with his family and last April, he ran a race with his son and grandson.