Posts Categorized: Trail Ambassadors

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Jenny Baker

Please welcome our newest American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak. Race director, camp director, author, and trail advocate Jenny Baker exemplifies what it takes to build community. Nominator Amber Hefner-Rishel, sports and event sales manager for the Dalton Convention and Visitor Bureau, wrote, “Jenny Baker is a trail race director who… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Paul Gigliotti

Please welcome our thirty second American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the eighth in 2019. Mountain Home, Arkansas based Paul Gigliotti is a trail race director, screen-printing business owner, trail runner, volunteer, and trail steward. US Trail Running Conference director Terry Chiplin nominated Paul and wrote about him, “I first… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Mindy Coolman

Please welcome our thirty first American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the seventh in 2019. Nebraskan Mindy Coolman is a goal oriented and passionate trail runner and volunteer. Amy Cherko nominated Mindy and wrote about her, “Mindy has been a fixture in the Omaha trail running scene since I can… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Megan Finnesy

Please welcome our thirtieth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the sixth in 2019. Colorado native Megan Finnesy puts her heart and soul into trail running as a participant, volunteer, and race director. In fact, her signature as a race director includes a hug for every runner at the finish… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Beau Beard

Please welcome the twenty ninth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the fifth in 2019. A resident of Birmingham, Alabama, 35-year-old Dr. Beau Beard is a fixture on and off the trails as an athlete, chiropractor, and volunteer. Nominator Olivia Affuso wrote, “Not only is Dr. Beau Beard an amazing… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Greg Sisengrath

Please welcome the twenty eighth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the fourth in 2019. Forty-three-year-old Greg Sisengrath is an athlete, coach, volunteer, and trail supporter. (Photos by Stasulli Photo / Trail Racing Over Texas). Nominator Jason Bahamundi wrote, “Greg coaches athletes, sets up group training runs, provides advice and… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Laura Howard

Please welcome the twenty seventh American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and our third in 2019. A native of Upstate New York, 32 year old Laura Howard, is a runner, volunteer, and tireless advocate for the trails. Mort Nace nominated Laura and wrote, “Laura is an all-star in our trail running… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Josh Eberly

Please welcome the twenty sixth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the second in 2019. Colorado native Josh Eberly is an accomplished athlete, coach, and mentor. Always with an unforgettable smile, and a can-do attitude, this 38-year-old is an inspirational leader and competitor. Nominator Greg Chase wrote, “As the head… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Jim Engel

Please welcome the twenty fifth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the first in 2019. A lifelong Michigan resident Jim Engel, age 64, inspires others through coaching and volunteerism and shares words of wisdom for athletes new to trail running. In 2011, Engel was inducted as the 34th member of… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Peter Downing

Please welcome the twenty fourth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the twelfth and final in 2018. Runner, race director, volunteer, and trail advocate all describe Peter Downing who, at age 64, has been in the outdoor industry for nearly four decades. Nominator Ellen Miller wrote, “I have known Peter… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Scott Magee

Please welcome the twenty third American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the eleventh in 2018. Scott Magee, age 43, is a trail runner, trail race director, trail steward and volunteer. Scott’s Twisted Branch Ultra is an American Trail Running Association member event. Wrote nominator Laura Howard, “Scott’s love of trail… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Michele Hartwig

Please welcome the twenty second American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the tenth in 2018. Michele Hartwig, 51, is a lifelong resident of Illinois. She is a trail runner, race director, volunteer, and trail steward. Wrote nominator Krystal Hardy, “When you think about trail or ultra-running, you might not think… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Stephanie Davies

Please welcome the twenty first American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the ninth in 2018. Stephanie Davies is a trail runner, race director, coach, and an enthusiastic advocate for women’s running. This 49-year-old grew up in Hammonton, New Jersey and has made Belmont, California her home for nearly three decades…. Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Frank Dumont

Please welcome the twentieth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the eighth in 2018. Frank Dumont is a trail runner, volunteer, and an Internal Medicine physician with interests in wellness and athletics, and high altitude. Wrote nominator Terry Chiplin, “Dr. Frank Dumont has become a passionate ambassador for trail running… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Mark Garrigan

Please welcome our nineteenth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the seventh in 2018. Mark Garrigan is a trail runner, volunteer, and business owner who ran his first ultramarathon in 2012. That race planted a seed in this 40-year-old from Green Bay, WI, to pursue a dream to build a… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Emily Wheeler

Please welcome the eighteenth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and sixth in 2018. Forty-two year old Emily Wheeler, a former wellness director for the YMCA, builds community through running, volunteering, organizing events, and club management. Nominator Nicole Craig wrote, “Emily helps out many of the local running clubs and trail… Read more »

How one county in Colorado is elevating the standard for trail LOVE

Trails need our help! American Trail Running Association vice president Ellen Miller, shares a new initiative in her home state designed to respond to that need. This is a program that could certainly be modeled in other regions across the country. In Eagle County/White River National Forest, the public that uses the trails created a… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Carrie Meng

Please welcome the seventeenth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and fifth in 2018. At age 40, Floridian Carrie Meng has amassed an impressive resume in our sport. Her passion for trails and can-do spirit is evident in all that she does, be it race directing, trail building, volunteering, or organizing… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Michael Lo Presti

Please welcome the sixteenth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and fourth in 2018. Meet 46-year-old Connecticut resident Michael Lo Presti, whose love of trail running led him to found CT Trailmixers. He’s a married father of two daughters, a volunteer running guide with Achilles International, and hopes to run an… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Sheila Eagan

Please welcome the fifteenth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the third in 2018. Meet trail running community builder and school teacher by profession, Sheila Eagan from Rochester, New York. This 33-year-old dynamo co-hosts a running-themed podcast, volunteers at races and for trail work days, is the secretary/treasurer for #TrailsRoc,… Read more »