PREVAIL AMBASSADORS - UNITED STATES
Stephanie Provost Cooper - @cooperprovost
Stephanie has been married for 15yrs with 3 kids (12,11 & 5). Her entire family plays hockey except for her and she’s referred to as “the crazy runner.” She has done a couple ultras and her favorite was in the Grand Canyon. She works as a SpEd para educator and she’s just finishing up her certification to become a SpEd teacher.
Kurt Loar - @Kurts_runningfitness
Kurt is a 43 year old husband, father and grandfather. He started running at age 40 and ran his first half a few weeks later. He’s been marathon training ever since. Currently, he’s working on chasing down a Boston Qualifier. He loves traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Brittany Tillman - @Brittnicole248
Brittany got into longer distance events when a family member was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She began participating in cycling events for the MS Society. Since then her passion has shifted to the trail running scene, although she still does enjoy some cycling. While not professing to be anywhere near a ‘professional’ athlete, she does like to see how far one can push themselves.
Salley is a retired marine, wife of a marine, and mother to three teenage daughters. She loves trail running and seeing whatever is in the mountains. She’s done multiple ultras, and always enjoys meeting different people in the races. After 20 years in the military, she’s suffered from chronic back pain, but has found relief in the Aid Station SALVation.
Mark Harlow - @262mike
Mike is a 67 year old retiree who didn't start running until he was 50. Since then he's run over 25 marathons. Mike lost a kidney to cancer a couple of years ago but he did't let that stop him. His latest adventure was completing his first Spartan Race which he said was a real challenge. Mike is a firm believer that age is just a number and plans on running and competing in athletic events for many years to come.
Erica Monroy - @eshaefearless
Originally from Ohio, but found her home in Florida. She’s a Army Veteran, wife of 19 years, and mother to 1. Though she has Fibromyalgia and a genetic disease (Tuberous Sclerosis), she finds that staying active and running is her best medicine. She challenges herself with distance, in 2019 she has already ran her first and second full marathons, the second was a PR by almost 40 minutes.
Michael Brandon Miller - @millzgotmiles
Brandon, 29, born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA – started running in the summer of 2015 as a way to get in shape and lose weight. Completing a couch to 5K program, he lost around 60 lbs and found something he enjoyed doing. It was in December 2017 when he started trail running and found his passion for running and the trail running community and decided to get into endurance running by signing up for his first marathon and 50k within the next 6 months. Now, he’s planning to get into further distances by completing Highlands Sky 40M, Burning River 50M, Oil Creek 100K, and Devil Dog 100M in 2019. Outside of running, he’s an IT Consultant and doodle dad of two.
Kaysey Wickins - @kayseyrae
Kaysey first started running to help with her anxiety and since it has become a way of life. One half marathon and four marathons later she's still continuing to push herself on and off the trail. Kaysey loves to hike and backpack when she's not training for marathons. She has hiked all of the Adirondack 46 high peaks in New York and is currently working on the 4000 footers in New Hampshire. Kaysey is currently looking to expand into trail running and complete an ultra-marathon in 2020.
Gabe Herrera - @gaberenephoto
Gabe Herrera is a passionate photographer and graphic designer who is also a proud dog dad to his rescue pup, Lola. But don’t let that fool ya. He is an adventure junkie with a love for good craft beer, chips and salsa, and of course, running. His passion for running began in 2017 when he got his ass off the couch and gave up that awful smoking habit. He decided to trade in that lifestyle and start his health and wellness journey. Now, down over 120 pounds, Gabe enjoys running half marathons, HIIT workouts, and is starting to dabble in other endurance sports. When he is not training, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, finding new breweries with friends, and of course playing with Lola.
Adrienne Taren - @adrienne.taren
Adrienne Taren is a trail runner and ultra cyclist living in Tulsa, Oklahoma where the red dirt roads and singletrack are surprisingly a'plenty. She is a veteran of events like Dirty Kanza, Land Run 50k/100mi, and 24 Hours of Cumming. By day (and night) she is an ER physician who also has a research background in studying the neural effects of mindfulness meditation. She runs, bikes, and generally galavants about outside both to find peace in life and to see how far we can extend the limits of the mind/body.
Nathan White - @nwhite1024
As a child, he was unable to grasp the long-term impact of growing up on his grandparents farm in the summer or the fishing trips he took with my father. Looking back, Nathan can see his early childhood set the stage for a lifetime of adventure and exploration. In his adulthood, he has spent time in Lake Tahoe, Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park and Yosemite. Today he reside in Columbus, Ohio, where he’s thankful for the many opportunities available through simply getting out and finding them.
Cylas Langdon - @cylas
Cylas Langdon is a Registered Nurse from Texas who has ditched NSAIDs for Prevail’s CBD salve. After experiencing a few GI bleeds from stomach ulcers, she was desperate for a natural remedy for the aches and pains of distance running. She’s a marathoner, yogi, wife, dog mom, and aspiring lifestyle blogger.
Courtney Schwind - @ultramomrunner
Courtney, is a mother, wife and dentist who is addicted to outdoor adventure (and craft coffee & beer.) She loves ultra marathons and spending time in the mountains. And while she is becoming competitive in trail running she also wants to expand her interests in climbing, boarding and skiing.
Kelly Hutchins - @trlrnr1
Kelly is a loving father (of 2 boys), husband (of 1 wife, (LeeAnn)), and a son. He is an Industrial mechanic by trade and a Veteran of the US Navy, where he served during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, back in 1990/1991. He loves being in the forest, on a mountain, or running through the trails of West KY. He’s enjoying life, no matter what it throws at him, He knows his strength and joy comes from above and he will do his part to live it out.
Clare Farrow - @claree_elizabeth
Clare Farrow is a 25 year old trail/ultra runner originally from the Beast Coast (Pennsylvania & Alabama) and currently living in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She started running in May of 2016 as a way to get fit, eventually losing 70 lbs and finding a new passion in running. Since discovering ultras in 2017, she's racked up several overall wins, gender wins, and course records at various events on the east coast before moving out West to Wyoming in 2018. In 2019, she plans to move further up in distance by finishing the Javelina Jundred & Palmer Lake 24 Hr Fun Run/Death Race, as well as other shorter events like the Speedgoat 50k.
Jenna Newton - @Jenn_noelle
Jenna is a young physical therapist from small town Havre de Grace, Maryland; seafood capital of the east coast. When she's not helping others she can be found out on the trails or eating whole pizzas at home. She just ran her first ultra and is looking forward to her next adventure.
Willow Hoaglund - @willowh
Willow lives in Edina, Minnesota with her Husband, daughter, three cats, and energetic pup, Mika. She rediscovered her passion for running several years ago after moving across the country, and joining a thriving community of trail runners in the Midwest. They introduced her to the local ultra scene and made every run a fun adventure! The rest is history! If she’s not out running, you can find her sipping coffee with her friends and family.
Charles Patten - @Cpatten93
Charles Patten is a husband to a combat veteran and retired Air Force wife and father to 3 awesome children ages 17,13,10. He enjoys running the trails of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah and hiking the ski areas near Salt Lake City. When he is not working at a nearby military base or checking out new trails, he can be found coaching high school cross country for the past 17 years and mentoring young athletes on the benefits of running.
Nicole Piechuta - @nicoletherunner
Nicole is a spunky dog mom, foodie, beer enthusiast, scientist, and world traveler aspiring to snatch her Abbott Six Star Finisher’s medal in 2020. She is making an attempt to run in every continent before she turns 31. Once the self proclaimed “injury queen,” she has restructured training to become a better version of her running self, and using prevail several times a week has helped keep all of her injuries at bay.
John Maxwell - @Run_John
John Maxwell is a 31yr old ultra runner born and raised in Snohomish, Washington. John first started running road marathons back in 2011 but in 2016 switched from the road to trails and never looked back. Since then John has racked up a number of different accomplishments in the ultra world, including a few 1st place overall finishes, 2nd Place overall at the 2018 Squamish 50/50, multiple sub-24hr 100 milers and just recently got the Solo / Unsupported FKT of the Wonderland Trail in Washington State.
Josh Pantleo - @joshpantleo
Josh has only been a runner for about 18 months and his love for being outside has turned him into a bit of a trail junkie. He started running to get in shape and run a 5k and is now toeing the line for Ultras. You can usually find him chatting(which he does a lot) or being a goofball with friends. Josh is married to his beautiful wife of 18 yrs and counting, Denelle and they have 2 teenage daughters.
Erica Zazzara - @e_zazza13
Erika is a Special Education teacher in Syracuse Ny. She has always been a road runner and cyclist for years. And in the last 2 years she has fallen in love with trail/ ultra running. She loves nature and being in the woods is her therapy. She is a hill seeker and climber . She races all types of trails from technical, hilly or flat and fast. She prefers races with the climbs.
Jenna Volden - @runs_on_espresso
Jenna is a gluten-free athlete (celiac disease) living in Phoenix, AZ. She started running on and off at 24 after hanging up her dancing shoes. In 2012 Jenna attempted her first 5k, a turkey trot, and hasn't looked back since. The half marathon is her favorite distance, but her ultimate goal is to complete a marathon. She also enjoys photography, hiking, and weight-lifting.
Roberta Horn - @glenandroberta
Roberta has been surfing for 22 years and running for 6 years. She was born with severe club feet, having numerous surgeries from birth until she was 8 years old. That is when she finally was able to walk. In 1993 Roberta suffered a life threatening injury, broken neck C2/C3, that left her paralyzed with little hope of surviving much less ever walking again. Roberta never gave up hope and managed to survive the 9 hour surgery with months of wearing a halo brace in her head and therapy. She was told to never run, ride a bike, everything active for this could possibly end her life. Roberta said not doing anything was not living so she decided to embrace life and live!
Robin Davis - @bagheeboo
Robin Davis has been married for 15 years, works full time in a financial management firm, and is mother to 2, a boy (13) and a girl (8), who are very involved in competitive karate all over the US. In early 2013, in all her “spare time,” she began running and completed her first marathon in the Spring of 2014, just before her 40th birthday. She quickly jumped in to the world of Ultra Running and appreciates the peace and quiet of long, slow, solo training runs. Her Anatolian Shepherd, Ayla, will occasionally join her and has logged many a mile on both trail and road.
Ravi Singh - @runultra_ravi
Ravi Singh is a husband and father of two, originally from India, who loves to run ultra distances. In September 2018, he ran 30 un-sanctioned Half Marathons in 30 consecutive days, just 2 months after being diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. He did it to learn about how his current Low Carb High Fat diet will affect his running and endurance. He strongly believes in a naturalistic and holistic approach towards health, fitness and diet that connects the mind, body and soul together.
Becky Madsen - @bmad2u
Becky is a brand-new ultra-runner. She ran her very first trail this last year, and instantly became hooked. She completed her very first Ultra this last year and has been bitten by the bug ever since. She enjoys volunteering at local races and spending weekends enjoying the Southwest and resides in Las Vegas, NV.
Shannon Mick - @be.short.run.ultra
Shannon is a mental health counselor and has a passion for fitness. She is an ultra marathon runner, focusing on prevailing in 50-100 mile distances and will one day conquer 200+ miles. HIIT and Crossfit are favorite activities when she is not running and hitting the trail with her husband. Shannon is vegan, but listening to rock music also helps power her through her workouts. Her cat, tarantulas and fish think she's a great mom!
Jameson Clover - @jamesonclover
Jameson is Vice President of Surgical Services at a small non-profit during the week and a dirtbagging ultra, trail runner on the weekends. She seeks the wildness of the mountains and friendships forged while navigating a more primitive life of finding peace on the trails. She has completed 2 100 mile races, and has the FKT on the Boundary Trail. In order to sustain an adventurous lifestyle fueling and recovery are a priority.
Dave Griffin - @dave_griffin68
Uncle Dave on most days can be found at one of two places: at the Ultra Running Company or at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on a trail. He’s run a lot of miles in his days, and he considered himself to not be much of a racer, but his experience proves otherwise. He’s tough as nails. He loves to make a goal to challenge himself and conquer it. Dave has great stories and is one of the most straight shooters you’ll ever meet. We love Uncle Dave.
Melinda Hooper - @melinda_runs_far
Melinda is an environmental scientist and native Floridian. She is a passionate ultra marathon runner completing numerous races each year in distances from 50k to 150+ miles. You can easily recognize Melinda on the trails by her big smile. Running is her happy place and it shows!
Sean Haverty - @sean_patrick_haverty
Being overweight, out of shape, and in degrading health at age 42, Sean decided he had enough and hit the trails. He started competing in local trail races a few months later, losing 60 lbs and completing 25 races in his first year of running. Sean’s drive and passion is infectious and he loves spreading inspiration to all, showing that you can truly do anything that you train for.
Erik Dinsmore - @teachertrailrunner
Erik is a husband, and father to the world's greatest son. He is a Special Education teacher who works with high needs students. An avid ultramarathon runner, Erik likes to say that he runs to keep what sanity he has left, but the required distance gets longer every year.
Laura Galligan - @laura.runs.co
Laura is a jersey girl living her best mountain life in CO with hubby & fur baby boxer Goose! She started running more competitively about 12 years ago & never looked back! Running is her passion & a huge part of her life. She recently joined the marathoner club & qualified for Boston! She’s endured all the ups & downs that comes with this sport and it has made her a stronger person! When she’s not running you can find her spending time with family & friends, skiing, paddle boarding, hiking, traveling & of course at a local brewery!
Brian Paisley
Raised in the coastal hills north of San Francisco, Bryan is no stranger to trail running. However, by his late teens Bryan took leave from the joys of running in nature, not to return until his late 40’s. After 10 years clean and sober he looked to ultra trail running as a way of strengthening his sobriety and spiritual connection.
Ginger Schmidt - @messy_hair_dirtyfeet
Only five years ago, Ginger decided to start running after never being any kind of athlete a day in her life, and a year later ran her first ultra marathon. Loving both running in it's purist form and the ultra community, she only has plans to see how far she can run not caring if there's a start/finish line or just wandering about her rural Nebraska surroundings. Ginger lives on their family farm, is a married mom of two teen boys, and a 911/sheriff dispatcher.
Mike Kubicek - @mountainkubicek
Mike is an ultra runner living in Southwest Colorado. The perfect day for him is hours and hours above tree line in the San Juan Mountains. His ultimate goal is to someday complete the Hardrock 100.
Alicia Eno - @chiajewel7
Alicia is an only child from Detroit, MI and currently lives in Seattle. She thrives on setbacks, struggle and the hustle to move forward. She loves travel and combined this with running as the third US women to have raced a Boston Qualifier marathon in every state. Not just a road runner, she relishes the 50 mile distance and timed events. Alicia is striving towards a sub three hour marathon!
Craig Simmons - @runnercraig67
Craig and his wife April have just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, and have two children. Their son Cameron is 17, and their daughter Charlie is 8. Craig gets paid to be an IT Manager, but prefers to be running. Anywhere. April drug Craig, kicking and screaming, to his first 5K in 2013, and he hasn't stopped since, working his way to 10K's, Half Marathons, and last year his first Marathon, and Ultramarathon- completing back-to-back 50K's at Across The Years in Phoenix.
Crystal Fuston - @Fustonmom
Crystal is a 48 year old nurse from Texas! She loves the sunshine and the heat! She lives with "If not now, then when" attitude! Not afraid to try anything and amazed at what she's accomplished after age 40!
Sean McMillon - @seanrmcmillan
Sean is an Ultra Endurance athlete, husband, father, and health care practitioner from Denver, Colorado. Snow, rain, or shine he loves getting out into nature and pushing the limits of his body and mind. He specializes in outdoor adventures such as: running marathons, 50k, 50 mile, 100k trail runs, hiking 14ers, climbing desert towers, getting back country on the split board, and mountain/road biking over the continental divide.
Sara Thompson - @longleggedmooser
Sara Thompson is an orthopedic nurse practitioner living in the Heart of Dixie with her husband and two children. She started running in 2011 and hasn't looked back. She's competed in races ranging from Olympic distance triathlon to century bike races to marathons. Her current love is the marathon distance and hopes to complete all six World Marathon Majors.
Henry Howard - @henryhoward
Henry Howard's first memory of running goes back to fifth-grade track and field day when his teacher called him "molasses." Three decades later, he penciled "finish a marathon" on his bucket list. He accomplished that feat in 2012, and has since completed more than 25 marathons and ultras, twice qualified for the Boston Marathon and now is a certified running coach who encourages runners of all abilities.
Jessica Hadley - @Jessbug1122
Jessica is a 35 year old proud Michigander and Mom of two boys. She could not run a half mile before the age of 30 but decided to give it a shot after suffering from anxiety after having her second son and fell in love with the sport. What started with a goal to just finish one half marathon has turned into a passion she cannot resist. She loves spending time outdoors, playing sports with her kids, and just living life to it's fullest. Running is her happy place!
Lucas Walters - @lukas_walters
Lucas is most happy when he is able to spend multiple hours outdoors. Truthfully he would live outside if he lived somewhere that was not - 50 in the winter! Lucas also enjoys a good craft beer shared among friends, in his free time he can be found roaming the Canadian Rockies, this is where he feels most alive.
Melissa Hollmann - @mhollmannruns
Melissa is a Physical Therapist from Arizona. She has been running and competing since high school and hasn’t stopped since. Her focus is on returning to racing half marathons after stepping away from racing for a few years due to a health condition. She is excited to get back into racing to see what is possible this year.
Jeff Gallup - @barefootinclined
At the age of 46, Jeff was talked into entering a 5K obstacle race… he had never really run before, so he figured he should start before that race! After that, and discovering barefoot/minimalist running, Jeff proceeded to just enter races that were slightly longer in distance. Now at age 54, he's worked his way up to several 100K trail race finishes, and still has his target set for his first 100 miler!
Katie Ricklefs - @K8ie_did
Katie’s a marathon runner and hiker living in Colorado who loves meeting new trail friends and getting steep. When she’s not outside, Katie works for a financial services company as a communications coordinator. Reading,watching movies, and enjoying live music are some of her favorite ways to kick back.
Jana Herzog
Originally from Czech Republic, Jana currently lives in Salt Lake City. Coming from cross country skiing and speedskating background, after a back injury, she took on mountain and long distance running. In just 4 years of running, she has been able to finish a few 100 milers, meet a lot of new friends, and complete a few unsupported long distance routes. She is preparing to set/break a few very long distance FKT in 2019/2020 season. She is also a sports/action photographer.
Erik Dahl - @eadahl
Erik Dahl is a trail and ultra runner living in Michigan with his wife and two kids. After playing soccer through college and a physically lethargic 20's and 30's, he begrudgingly started running again in 2014 and somehow fell in love with running ultra distances. Erik is always looking for challenges and adventure runs to explore the natural world and connect with himself or others.
Tracy Thomas - @Marvelousmud
Tracy Thomas is a nearly life-long runner who depends on this activity for both her physical and mental wellbeing. Tracy has experienced plenty of success in the past but is now content to run and race for the pure enjoyment of the activity and the social interaction with friends. “You can’t take yourself too seriously and you can’t take things too personally!” Being fit and healthy and following a plant-based diet are an important part of her life and she believes that the body will heal itself if you just allow it to.
Cory Scotti - @mudrocksandmountaintops
Being over weight and stressed out brought Cory back to his passion of discovering new trails. In need of a change he started running the trails he loved as a kid. Now he finds himself playing in the dirt whenever and wherever possible.
Joell Ritchie - @joellritchie
Joell has been a runner on and off since high school, but never imagined life as it is today. She fell in love with trail running in 2015 and has never looked back. After completing her first ever marathon along the Superior Hiking Trail, she figured the sky was the limit. She hopes to complete the 50 this fall, with sights on the 100.
Kristen Gonyaw - @ginger_gon_trailin
Kristen is a 27 year old Vermonter who's love for distance started while competing her horses in 50-100 mile endurance races. She completed her first ultra after moving to Central Pennsylvania in 2016 and she hasn't stopped running since. Even though challenging, she enjoys balancing time between herself and her horses which means when she's not running, she's riding! This year she plans to return to her home state to attempt her first Vermont 100. Her goal is to one day be as badass as her horse.
Jess Hodgson - @runner_jess_
Jess Hodgson is an endurance athlete who is always looking for her next adventure! She lives a vegetarian lifestyle & utilizes natural remedies to help with recovery as well as relieve arthritis pain. Her motto is to live life to it's fullest!
Laney Kerstetter - @Trailandultrachic
Laney is a wife, mother of two, avid trail runner and an adventure seeker. A mountain mama at heart, she is happiest when getting lost in nature and running at higher elevations. Although she has been a runner since high school, she started craving the distance and running ultras in 2013. Laney has completed several 100 milers and is toying around with training for a 200 mile adventure. When not running, she enjoys backpacking, craft beer and photography.
Amy Stone - @amystone_623
Amy Stone is an aspiring endurance trail runner, she is training for her first 50k this fall, the Blood Rock 50k. Amy, along with her husband Jeff, their 3 kids, and their dog Amos, live in Birmingham, AL. They spend their time actively enjoying the great outdoors!
Jessica Mara
Jessica, 28, is a microbiologist currently living in Boston, MA. She loves traveling, drinking craft beers, and running. She is a hard worker who tries to inspire others with her dedication and perseverance. She started running a couple years ago and quickly fell in love with the mental and physical challenges it brings. Though she has never attempted a full marathon, she strives to complete both Chicago and New York marathon back to back in 2019.
Krystal Geddes - @krystal.geddes
Krystal is a Navy veteran, currently working as a pediatric nurse and working on her Master’s degree. She ran the Honolulu marathon in 2018 with almost no training and figured since her legs were already busted, she might as well keep going! She is now training for her first 50 km race (the marathon didn't kill her so she figured why not go an extra couple of miles) in August on the island of Oahu where she lives with her husband and pit mix, Pepper Pig.
Heather McKirdy - @itsheathersturn
Heather is an east-coast transplant to Flagstaff, AZ where she currently lives, runs, and plays in the mountains with her husband and two dogs. A running coach for McKirdy Trained, she spends most of her days highly invested in her athletes’ training. In her free time, she’s working towards her own goals of a 2:50 road marathon and eventually, tackling her based-in-no-reality fear of running for longer than 4 hours and taking on Comrades!