Mike grew up in Alexandria, VA. As a teenager, Mike raced motocross which fueled his enthusiasm for competition. At age 19 he began his running career where he instantly became addicted to the sport. After graduating from Old Dominion University in 1985 he decided to make Hampton Roads his home. His dedication to the sport of running began with his support of the local running club, the Tidewater Striders. If Mike was not racing on the weekends he was probably volunteering. He measured the race courses for the club for over twenty years. He and his wife Pam were the race directors for the Distance Series for 8 years and the Tidewater Strider Summer Series for 10 years. They were race directors for over 60 events for the club. He was the Tidewater Strider Volunteer of the year in 1994, and received the prestigious RRCA National Volunteer award in 1999 for "generous and enthusiastic contribution of two thousand hours of volunteer time in support of the running community." Mike has a passion for competition and enjoys racing for the challenge, thrill and the social atmosphere. Mike especially enjoys talking to newcomers about the sport. His race distances have included 5k races to the marathon, adventure races, mountain bike races, off road triathlons and duathlons, even an ultra. When he is not working or running he enjoys spending time at home with his wife Pam and their daughter Megan.

• Favorite Distance: 5k
• Favorite pre-race meal: Blackened tuna, shrimp and pasta.
• Most memorable race: The 100th Boston Marathon.
• The race of my life: 1987 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.

John is a Norfolk native. He began his running career in 1993 while working as a lifeguard at Norfolk’s Ocean View Beaches. He became hooked on triathlons and road races and was sponsored by Running Etc. After graduating from Old Dominion University, John worked in law enforcement for seven years before joining the Running Etc. team in 2003. He is very passionate about running and triathlons and loves to experience the excitement of new athletes. In addition to running, John enjoys reading, playing golf and coaching his son in basketball and track. He has completed everything from 5k's to marathons in road racing, as well as sprint distance triathlons to Half Ironman events. John lives in Norfolk with his wife Julie, their sons Jonathan and Eli.

• Most memorable race: Peachtree Road Race10k, 2004
• Current race goal: Shamrock Half-Marathon, 2012
• Favorite race distance: 8k
• Favorite pre race meal: Cheese pizza
• Favorite workout: 6 x 800, 90 seconds recovery
• Dream race: Great Wall of China Marathon

Mark is a Chesapeake native. He has been running since his junior year of high school when he joined the Western Branch track team. He then extended his career running in college for Radford and then Virginia Tech. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he joined a new team with Running Etc. Mark now hits the roads, running races of all distances. Just married in April, Mark lives with his wife Steph, who is also a competitive runner, and their chocolate lab Guinness.

• Favorite Place to Run: Seashore State Park
• Favorite Place to Eat: Plaza Azteca

Allison is a Maryland native, but has spent the past 8 years in Myrtle Beach, SC where she received her Bachelor of Science degree from Coastal Carolina University. Her younger years were spent playing field hockey and lacrosse until she later discovered her passion for running while living in Australia. When she returned to the States, she registered for her first running race, The Myrtle Beach Marathon, which she completed and has been hooked ever since. Five marathons and heaps of shorter races later, she still loves to run. Three years ago, Allison uncovered her enthusiasm for triathlons. Since then, she has competed in several tri's and hopes one day to be able to complete a full ironman event. When Allison isn't out training for her next upcoming race she enjoys surfing, scuba diving, rock climbing, and pretty much anything else that keeps her active and out of the house.

• Favorite Race Distance: The Marathon
• Favorite pre-workout food: Eggo waffles with peanut butter, blueberries and raspberries
• Dream Race: Greece Marathon
• Ultimate goals: Qualify for Boston and finish an Ironman

Amy has been an athlete her entire life. Running was a means to stay in shape for the other sports that she enjoyed. In 1997, after the birth of her 3rd child, she decided to focus on running. In 1998, she ran her first marathon. Amy is a dedicated wife, mother and athlete. She is up early to fit in her morning run around a busy home life. Her list of racing accomplishments includes 18 marathons and over 10 half marathons. Amy lives in Virginia Beach with her husband Jim, who is a competitive swimmer, and their daughters, Molly, Kelly and Caroline.

• Favorite Race: Twin Cities Marathon, the course is gorgeous and the crowd support is fantastic!
• Most memorable race: Her first marathon, there is no feeling like completing your first marathon!
• Favorite pre-race meal: Spaghetti with red sauce and a salad.

Carol is from Danville, Virginia. She joined the Running Etc. family in March 2007 after retiring from teaching in the Virginia Beach public school system. She began running as part of her exercise routine. In recent years, she has focused more on running and began competing in road races. She enjoys 5k's, 10k's and half marathons. She continues to improve and plans to run her first marathon in the fall. Carol lives in Norfolk with her husband Walter, daughter Martha, and their three cats, Mallory, Buffy and Serena.

• Favorite Race: 10k
• Most memorable race: The Disney Half-Marathon
• Dream race: The Boston Marathon
• Favorite pre-race meal: Tons of pasta
• Favorite work-out: The long run
• Current race goal: The OBX Marathon

Shannon, a Virginia Beach native, has been a member of the Running Etc. team since 2003. As a child, she loved playing basketball and soccer but was inspired to start running when her parents, Ally and Steve, joined the local running community. Shannon discovered her passion for racing when she joined her middle school track team, which continued to grow as she competed in track and cross country at the high school and collegiate level. In 2011, she graduated from William and Mary. When not running or working, Shannon enjoys traveling and napping.

• Favorite Distance: 8K
• Dream Race: London Marathon

Drew was born in Lawrence, Kansas where he started running as soon as he learned to walk. When he moved to Virginia Beach, his 3rd grade PE teacher paced him to his first 5k road race. His competitive running career started as a youth with the Tidewater Striders for New Energy in 1997. It was not long after he was a regular Running Etc. customer. As a high school senior, Drew completed a research internship at the store. While in school and running at William and Mary, Drew worked part time becoming a shoe junkie. After graduating in 2010, Drew came back as a full time employee. Drew completed his first marathon in the summer of 2011 and continues to have fun running races with his family and friends. He lives near the beach with his bikes and cooking supplies.

• Current Race Goal: Boston Marathon 2012
• Most Memorable Race: 2005 VHSL State Indoor 3200
• Favorite Workout: Long Fartlek or Progression Run
• Dream Race: 2016 Marathon Trials

Jonathan has lived in Virginia since 2000, but will tell you his heart belongs to his home state of Texas. He passionately follows the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Jonathan's journey with running began in 2002, when a coworker invited to him to go on a run. Overweight and out of shape, Jonathan could not complete a mile, so he decided it was time to get back in shape. He has become very active in the local running community and has completed numerous half marathon and marathons, with hopes of completing an ultra in the future.

Jonathan has taken his love of fitness and running to the professional level. Since joining the Running Etc. team in 2008, he has become a certified personal trainer, RRCA certified running coach and a group fitness instructor. He coaches track and cross country at Christ the King School, leads our Runners Core class at the VB store and teaches Natural Running and Form clinics at both stores. He likes making new workout routines for himself and his clients, with an emphasis on TRX, kettle bells and medicine balls. Jonathan is also a self-proclaimed tech geek, whether it's new footwear or the latest Garmin, he is always checking out the newest technologies.

When he is not coaching, running, training or working, he loves spending time with his wife Stephanie and two sons Connor and Ryan. He also enjoys cooking, especially Tex-Mex.

• Favorite Race: Marine Corp Marathon.
• Dream Race: Ironman Hawaii.
• Favorite Pre-Race Meal: Chicken Fajitas and a Shiner Bock.
• Favorite Saying: Obsessed is what the lazy call dedication.

Emily is a born and bred Texan who relocated to Virginia Beach in February 2011, shortly after, Emily joined the Running Etc. team . Running became a part of Emily's life in her college years as a way to reduce the stress of working and going to school. Years later, running continues to be a part of her daily life. She had competed in countless races both local and far away. Obstacle course races, Emily's newest fitness challenge, allow her to combine strength training with cardiovascular fitness. When not working or running, Emily spends her time with family, cooking healthy meals, traveling, and pursuing her goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian.

• Favorite Race: Fort Worth Turkey Trot w/my family.
• Most Challenging Race: Tough Mudder, 2011.
• Dream Race: Spartan Death Race or anything that takes place in London!
• Favorite pre-race meal: PB and J with the crusts cut off.

Doug has lived in Hampton Roads most of his life. Doug started running in 1987 at age 36, to lose weight and help reduce the effects of asthma. His first race was the Kempsville Middle School 5k where he finished next to last, but he was totally hooked on running. Doug ran his first marathon the year he turned 40, the 1991 Shamrock Marathon. Since then, he has run 25 marathons, over 50 half marathons and completed over 20 triathlons.

Doug has been a frequent Running Etc. customer since 1989. In 1994, Doug wanted to improve his race times and asked the staff for advice on the benefits of racing flats. The staff suggested some changes in training routines. Doug became a "regular" runner with the store training groups and saw tremendous success with his race times. Over the years, he has become one of the workout leaders for the store group runs. He believes in passing on the running and training knowledge that he has gained from others over the years and continues to "pay it forward". Doug was very active with the Tidewater Striders Running Club, serving on the Board of Directors, the web site manager and was awarded the Volunteer of the Year in 1998. Doug realized a long time dream of working at the store and joined the Running Etc. team in 2011.

When not running or working, Doug likes to spend time with his wife, Mary, his daughter Cherie, her husband John, and his two grandchildren, Doug and Erin.

• Favorite Races of the Past: Shamrock Marathon and the Norfolk Elizabeth River Run.
• Favorite Present Race Distance: Half Marathon or 10 miler.
• Favorite Workout: LSD runs at First Landing State Park with friends.
• Favorite Pre-Race Meal: Cheese pizza and a couple of beers.

Vince was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. As a freshman in High School, Vince had a brief track career that included one 800 meter race. After a few semesters at Temple University, Vince enlisted in the US Marine Corps and is currently serving on active duty in the Hampton Roads area. In 2001, Vince found a new passion for running during his crash course preparation for his first marathon, The Philadelphia Marathon. Even while traveling the world and running, it wasn't until Vince joined the Running Etc. team in April 2006, that he began improving his running times. Vince enjoys racing often in events that range from 5k to the marathon. He enjoys all the local Hampton Roads races as well as the many MWR races held on base. In addition to his running career, Vince is the proud father of two daughters, Chrya and Jordynn. When Vince is not working, he enjoys getting out the house and living life.

• Favorite Race Distance: The Half Marathon
• Current Race Goal: "Whatever I wake up and have a feel for that month."
• Dream Race: Boston Marathon and the Athens Greece Marathon
• Most memorable race: 2001 Philadelphia Marathon
• Favorite race: Philadelphia Broad Street Run. It's flat, fast, and great scenery through the city.
• Most memorable race: 2001 Philadelphia Marathon
• Favorite Pre-Race Meal: Sausage/Egg/Cheese McMuffin
• Favorite Saying: "Run for the moment and live for the start line because it might not come again."

Billy is a lifelong resident of Suffolk. He has been running since the 8th grade where he ran cross country for Nansemond Suffolk Academy. He graduated from The University of Virginia in 2003, and has since returned to Suffolk where he continues to run recreationally. Billy joined the Running Etc. team in May of 2010 and enjoys helping others to "Run Happy."

• Favorite race distance: The Marathon
• Most Memorable Race: 2009 Boston Marathon
• Favorite Pre-Race Meal: Fajitas and a beer
• Dream Job: Working for Brooks