AMBASSADORS

Alex Trevino

I'm Alex, a wanna be runner, disguised as an engineer that spends most his life on the road. Hey, roads are fine, but I prefer the trail. I was all about the long-ultra-life but I now prefer that low key half marathon. I will always have a soft spot for running Ogden Canyon. I've ran the Ogden Marathon full 3 times with just as many half's. I run because my two Huskies would destroy my house out of boredom. So let's go for a run!

Amara Janke

I’m Amara Janke, I own Team Crazy Fit, I love being a mom, working out and running. I’ve run 14 Ogden Half Marathons. I run because it clears my mind, helps me to be creative and handle stress better. I love the workout and that you can do it anywhere!

Angela Ainsworth

Hi! I am Angela, a mom of three, and a group fitness instructor in South Jordan, Utah. I have ran the Ogden Marathon 5 times, it is one of the most well organized and beautiful courses I have experienced. I run for mental health and strength.

Anne Pingree

Hi! I am Anne. I am a member of 50 States Half Marathons. The Ogden Marathon is my all-time favorite because of the beautiful course in the Ogden area, the great medals, and the awesome volunteers and GOAL staff. I am super excited for the Ogden Half to be my 100th half marathon! My 2023 plans include the Ogden Half Marathon and a few others. Ogden Marathon is always on the top of my list. I have completed an Ogden Marathon race every year since I started racing in 2003 - 11 Ogden FULL Marathons, 6 Ogden HALF Marathons, and 2 Ogden Marathon RELAYS. I run for LIFE!!

Becky Espinoza

Hola, Becky Espinoza here. I am a wife, mom, and brain tumor survivor. My hobbies are volunteering in my community, training with my dog, Juniper and of course, running. I have run every distance of the OM courses (some a few times) except the newest 12K, but the most memorable would be accomplishing 26.2 miles. The scenery of the canyons and the valley are breathtaking, but the most exciting part of the course is definitely the volunteers - Ogden has the best. I run as it cleanses MY SOUL!

Bethany Brown

I’m Bethany Brown, I have 6 kids ranging in age from 3-20, I teach middle school, and I live to run! I’ve been participating in the Ogden Marathon weekend since 2005 - it’s my streak race! I run because it makes me feel alive!

Caitlyn Evett

Hi, I'm Caitlyn and am currently in Nursing School at Weber State University. I have participated in the full Ogden Marathon twice, as well as the half marathon twice (one virtual). My favorite part of the Ogden Marathon is the course and the beautiful scenery. I run because it makes me feel free.

David "D" Upvall

Hi! My friends call me “D.” I started running around 10 years ago, and it's still changing my life for the better! I’ve done the Ogden Marthon half & full, and also the Winter Running Series twice too. I run because of the positive benefits, endorphins (runner's high) and the many amazing friends I’ve met running!

Eddie Ayala

Hello - my name is Eddie and I am a hard working and driven individual who isn’t afraid to face a challenge. I’m a father of 2 kids, a boy and a girl. I ran the Ogden Marathon half this year for the first time and I loved course. I run to be healthy and I love those endorphins - and to get faster!

Holly VanCouwenberghe

Hi! My name is Holly VanCouwenberghe and I am a 6th grade teacher in Magna, UT. This will be my 4th time running as a part of the Ogden Marathon, but I will be running my first ever FULL Ogden Marathon in May. I love the course so much and the organization of the race that I continue to keep signing up so I can enjoy the view from the canyon. I run because I want to be the healthiest and happiest I can be for my two kiddos, Joseph and Islay.

Jason Child

I am Jason and I am an endurance sport enthusiast. I have run the Full Ogden Marathon twice. I love the beautiful course and getting excited about running with friends. I run to see the world, to see sunrises and sunsets, to climb mountains, to explore the woods, to push my body, and mind beyond what I think I can do so I know anything is possible. I run to be free.

Jason Richards

I am a seventh generation Utahn and an attorney in our Ogden law office on 25th and Washington. I am also a recovering alcoholic active in the addiction recovery community. I ran the Ogden half in 2011 and then the full in 2019 and 2022. My favorite part of this run is running around Ogden valley and coming down Ogden canyon. There is no better scenic run on Earth. Running is my meditation. I run because it is my time to disconnect from my cares and problems and just focus on my recovery, the good things in my life, and things I need to work on. I also love competition and the energy during races.

Jeff Callister

My name is Jeff Callister and I live in South Ogden, Utah. In my spare time, I can usually be found running the trails above Ogden and I love our great little town and all that it has to offer the outdoor enthusiasts! I have participated in the Ogden Marathon events now for two years. I only discovered my passion for running about three years ago. I started with the Ogden Marathon 5K in 2020 (run virtually, thanks to Covid) I had to sit 2021 out due to an injury and then in 2022 I ran the inaugural 12K distance, which I loved! The run down beautiful Ogden Canyon is amazing and this past year I was able to set PRs in both my 5K and 10K distances as part of this run! Such a fast and beautiful course! For 2023, I have registered for the half marathon and am still trying to talk myself into running the full marathon someday. We'll see...for now I am content running the shorter distances. I run for many reasons... the get outside and breath in some fresh mountain air, to clear my mind

Jori Torman

My name is Jori Torman and I live by the motto "Relentless Forward Progression." If you hang around me long enough YOU WILL end up running some sort of race. This year will be my 12th Ogden Marathon and I keep coming back because it's the perfect race to keep yourself in shape and trained through the spring and winter for. I run because I love how I feel after. It may be a struggle to get out the door and get that 1st mile in but I never regret it when I am done.

Justin Stephens

I'm Justin Stephens and I've been honored to be an Ogden Marathon ambassador the last 3 years! 2023 will be my 9th Ogden Marathon I've participated in. With all the beautiful views you get to drool over for 26.2 miles, how could you say no to this nationally famous race?! I run to breathe! Nothing like a good solid sweat! I also like to eat, so after 2,000+ calorie burns, I'm not shy to chowing down after crossing the line!

Karen Bishop

I LOVE to run…anywhere and everywhere… roads, treadmills, and most of all mountain trails. I have participated in 7 Ogden Marathons. I love the beautiful views the entire way and the amazing volunteers. I run because it is my happy time and place.

Kari Harbath

I'm a long-time Ogdenite and one-third of Sloan's Scrunchies. (You might've met us at the Expo last year!) I'm also a commissioner on the Ogden Diversity Commission and council member on the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Advisory Council. If I'm not writing, I'm typically hanging with my incredible daughter Sloan. I've ran eight Ogden Marathon events dating back to 2012 and love the memories it's made for my family - something I will always cherish now that my mom and husband have passed. I run for my mental health and to be a healthy caregiver for my daughter.

Kelton Johnston

I’m Kelton Johnston and I am a husband and a dad to one little boy and two dogs! I have ran 4 Ogden Marathon events, and the Ogden Marathon was my first and favorite! I run for my mental health.

LaQuitta Probasco

Hello! I’m LaQuitta, but most people call me Quitta!! I was born and raised in Ogden, and recently got back into running!! I have ran 10 Ogden Marathon half marathons and 1 full! (And have participated in 5 of the Winter Running Series!) I love running down the canyon! The excitement at the finish line! Knowing I just completed something that I didn’t think I could do a few years ago!! Hearing the cheers and the enthusiasm of the spectators gets me to the end!! I run because I wanted to get healthy after years of not taking care of myself - to better myself everyday!

Leslee Wilson

I’m Coach Leslee. I run, play volleyball, instruct high fitness and am a wife and mom of 4 boys. I’ve run 6 Ogden Marathons halfs (1 virtual) and the views and fresh mountain air is truly my favorite part. That sun coming up and the canyon of echoing runners feet is soul piercing. I love to run to test my limits and escape the stresses of adult life. Endorphins are my friends.

Elizabeth Garcia

I'm Elizabeth, I live in Ogden, and I'm running from MS (multiple sclerosis). 2023 will be my 9th time running in the Ogden Marathon, I absolutely love the solitude mountain views of this course. I run because MS keeps telling me I can't, but my soul tells me to keep going.

Lora Erickson

Hi! My name is Lora Erickson and I am a longtime coach and Ironman athlete. I love all things outdoor including; hiking, fishing and backpacking! I’ve done the Ogden Half Marathon four or five times and absolutely LOVE running down that beautiful canyon. I run because I enjoy challenging myself! It’s all about getting out there and living life to the fullest!

Mika Shaw

I’m Mika Shaw and I am a wife and mother who loves to cook, work on projects and RUN! May 2022 was the first Ogden Marathon I have ran. I did the half, and it truly was life changing because of how well it was organized, the friendliness of the all volunteers and all the BEAUTY this course has to offer! I run in honor of my father but also because it brings me absolute peace.

Mykaela Nielsen

Hi friends, my name is Mykaela. I don’t know what is harder: running or finding the words to introduce myself! I love to run and everything about it, from the long runs to the runner's high. I’ve been running since high school and I am training for marathons all year long. Running is like old friend you just never get bored visiting with. I have run a total of 2 halfs and 3 full marathons with Ogden Marathon - it’s like always coming home when I get to run this race. I run to bring happiness and confidence to myself and others by showing them we can do hard things.

Rebecca Lockhart

I'm Rebecca: an avid runner, running coach, dog mom to the German Shepherd, Evie, and lover of pizza. The OM was my first full marathon last year and the winter race circuit helped connect me with so many new friends. I run so I can continue to be amazed at what my body can do.

Rob Bruderer

Hi, I'm Rob Bruderer, one of the original Ogden Marathon Ambassadors. I have run in at least 5 Ogden Marathons, running both the full and half. The Ogden Marathon is so important to me because of its timing in the spring. I keeps me motivated to stay in shape! The Winter Running Series helps with this as well. I run because it something I can do for me to keep mentally sharp and physically fit!

Ryan Head

I am a Running Enthusiast, Dad, Husband, and Passionate about Making the World a Better Place. I have run four Ogden Marathons (2018, 2019, 2021 (virtual) and 2022) and love everything about the course. Running through the canyon is one of the best running experiences. I run because I believe we all have the strength to do hard things. Life is hard at times but doing things that we don’t necessarily believe we can, propels us forward and changes lives.

Sheena Jordan

Hi, I’m Sheena Jordan! I stared running 9 years ago, after my neighbor knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to run with her. When I started running, I fell in love. Since then I have ran 5 Ogden Half Marathons. What I love most about running down the canyon is seeing the beautiful waterfall.
I run to clear my mind. Being a wife, mom, and having full time job it helps me be a better me by taking time for myself.

Stacy Bernal

I'm Stacy Bernal and I'm a wife, mom of three, Lola (grandma) of three, and I work for the Utah Jazz as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager. I first ran the OM as part of a relay team in 2008, then did my first full marathon in 2009, and have returned to run in some capacity every year since, with the exception of 2012 when I was eight months pregnant. I absolutely love the magic of this marathon, from the excitement of the race expo to the energy of the best volunteers to the finish line festivities! I run because I can, recognizing that my ability to do so is a privilege I don't take for granted, and because I know every mile I run helps me become the person I am meant to be.

Tim Cottrell

I'm a runner, lover of: football, yard work and relaxing after a hards day of work. I have ran five Ogden Marathons. I love the scenery of the race, the energy and how well it's organized. I run for fun, health and to see what my body is capable of.

Mickey Wilson

Hey my name is Mickey Wilson, I run some miles and I like to eat pizza. This will be my first OM and I'm really looking forward to the beautiful course, the energy of all the marathoners and waking up at 3 am to catch a bus up the canyon. I run because it's the most holistic movement for the mind, body and soul....and so I can eat more pizza