Don is a runner and adventure junkie. Check out his website for the full story, if there is one.

I am in charge of Packet Pick-Up for the Grand Rapids Marathon again this year. I have been running for about 25 years now. I started off running 5K and 10K races. But, I moved on to the longer distance races when I moved to Grand Rapids and decided to run the River Bank Run 25K. Since then I have completed over 34 marathons and ultras in 19 states. I am a member of the Grand Rapids Running Club, where I volunteer at races and maintain the GRRC web-site. I also am on the Johan's TriFest Race Committee and maintain their web-site. I look forward to seeing you in October for the GRM.

Age: 40 I was never a runner and what started out as many failed attempts to try to get into shape I have now gotten what some would call the 'bug'. I am married to my wonderful wife of 10 years Cindy and the proud father of 6 year old Tyler. I work in sales and don't get a lot of physical activity in my daily schedule unless delivering donuts and talking on the phone are considered an 'aerobic workout'. I joke about my running now as the second chance at my athletic career I threw away back in High School. After 20 years of mostly not exercising (with the exception of the annual New Years resolution training that lasted about a week in the cold), I am now a regular runner and have finished 5 marathons and even a few triathlons. I am a very strong believer that if I can do it anyone can. You may need a supportive family and some crazy friends to do it with you but you CAN do it.

Dr. Rick ran his first marathon in 1994 and made many of the normal rookie mistakes. He went out too fast, didn't eat or drink enough, and he struggled his way through the final eight miles. He has now run 58 marathons (including the last eight Boston Marathons) and has figured out that with proper training, pacing, and smart race day decisions, mile 26 can actually be a very pleasant experience.

Dr. Rick has had a lot of fun over the years encouraging family & friends to attempt a marathon, and then running it with them. He is a running chameleon, of sorts, because he is comfortable at any pace. He has successfully led the 3:10 pace team at Rock & Roll Arizona, and he ran with his niece on her 5:11 marathon debut in New York City. He says both were incredible experiences. He has paced lots of runners over the years at a wide range of different paces, and he loves doing it.

So when we decided to start the Grand Rapids Marathon, he immediately volunteered to be pace team director. He came up with the idea of using celebrity finish times for the pace team target times. He says People would always ask if they beat Oprah's or P.Diddy's times, so we decided to just make that the pace. If you can hang with Team Oprah, which we will help you do, then you'll beat her time.' In addition to directing the pace teams at Grand Rapids, Dr. Rick will also run as a pacer. I'm the last minute injury fill-in guy, so I could end up on any team.

Dr. Rick graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and is a practicing anesthesiologist in Holland, Michigan. He lives with his wife, Dr. Lois, and two kids, whom he promises he will not push into marathon running until they are at least in college. His marathon PR is 2:50:44, and he has broken three hours in the marathon seven times, all since turning 40! He was the master's winner at the 2006 Bayshore Marathon and the 2008 Fallsburg Marathon, and he was a silver medallist and the first American finisher at the 56 mile 2009 Comrades Marathon in South Africa.

Jen Crowley has never written a bio and thus, in four years, has never been included on this page. Nonetheless, she's a tireless planner (just ask the race director!) and her company is responsible for producing the race theme every year. If you like the race posters and t-shirts, be sure to let her know.

Jen also organizes the Kids Marathon with the charming and witty Melissa Chillag (who also doesn't have a bio on this page). You can find them both on Facebook.

In addition to regularly making small animal sacrifices in order to ensure good weather on race weekend (kidding!), Jen finds time to run and swim several times a week - at obscenely early times in the morning (not kidding!). The half marathon is her preferred distance - she's not all that fast and, frankly, anything longer and her attention span is shot.

She is famous for taking up more desk/floor space than any other GRM staffer and always has a full complement of colored sharpies with her.

Jen lives in Grand Rapids with her wonderful husband (and brilliant business partner), Scott, and two great kids, Drew (7) and Mari (5).

This year, Jen's other personal marathon is moving her advertising agency, Highland Group, to a new building at 645 Cherry in Grand Rapids, the week after the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon.

Terence is an avid triathlete (Sprint distance Triathlons to 70.3 Ironman) and runner, finishing his first 1/2 Marathon at the Inaugural Grand Rapids Marathon (2004). Since then he has finished: Chicago Marathon 26.2 (2005), Grand Rapids Marathon 13.1 (2005), Post-Net Maritzburg Marathon 26.2 (2006 - South Africa), 2 Oceans Ultra- Marathon 56km (2006 - South Africa). He graduated as a Physical Therapist in South Africa in 1992, and joined Metro Health Sports Medicine in 1997. Working closely with this sports medicine team, he uses his specialty training in Orthopedics, Manual Therapy, Sports Medicine and Personal Training to manage athletes and their injuries in the Grand Rapids area. He also performs Biomechanical Evaluations, helping fit patients with custom orthotics. In addition to his role as therapist, Terence helps manage contracts with the various pro teams and community events in Grand Rapids on behalf of Metro Health Sports Medicine. As a result of this role, he has been part of the Grand Rapids Marathon Race Committee since it's inaugural race in 2004. This year Terence will add the Grand Rapids Marathon 26.2 to his running resume. He brings his passion & experience in these sports to his patients. He is supported by his wife, Tina, and kids, Tristan & Nicolas, who can often be seen helping him finish his races!

In 2001, I accepted the challenge from a friend to run my first marathon, although I knew nothing about distance running. I trained for and completed the Chicago Marathon - but it was a struggle. After another pathetic attempt in Detroit a year later, my friend said I should stick with the shorter distances - perhaps I wasn't a marathon runner after all, and he had doubts that I would ever qualify for Boston. Despite his comments (or perhaps because of them!), I kept going...and have now completed 47 marathons, two of them being ultras - 50Ks. I have experienced the fun and excitement of running the Boston Marathon three times. Among my favorites are the beautiful, but challenging, Pike's Peak Marathon ("There's only one hill."), which I ran in 2004, and more recently, the scenic Grizzly Marathon held in the mountains of Choteau, Montana.

Running is my hobby, but by far the greatest passion in my life is being a mother. I have two bright, beautiful daughters: Rachel and Carly. Rachel, 23, completed four years of college at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, majoring in music education. She is a very talented cellist. Carly is eight years old and full of life!

I am employed as a legal secretary with the law firm of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, working in the Appellate Department.

I have been on the staff of the Grand Rapids Marathon since its inception and enjoy being involved with the planning of this event. Our fantastic staff continually strives to improve our event each year so we can help our runners reach their goals, while having fun at the same time.

Last, but not least, our event wouldn't be the same without our volunteers and sponsors. If you see a volunteer, please take a moment to thank them. We encourage you to support our sponsors too.

Good luck and good health to all our participants!

Dr Kornoelje has always had a passion for sports. Throughout his school career, he was involved in several sports including track & soccer, both as player & coach. As such, he has been exposed to both the participant mentality as well as the injury side of Sports Medicine. This passion for sport inspired him to enter the medical profession. He graduated from Calvin College & earned his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. As a family practice physician, he then completed his Sports Medicine Fellowship at Metro Health Hospital. Dr. Kornoelje currently serves as the Medical Director for Metro Health Sports Medicine, and is also the team physician for the Grand Rapids Griffins, West Michigan Whitecaps, Grand Rapids Rampage & West Michigan Edge. In addition to working with several area colleges & high schools, Dr. Kornoelje also serves as Medical Director for many local community events, including the Grand Rapids Marathon. Dr. Kornoelje has continued to find time to run as well as play & coach soccer in the midst of running a busy practice. This gives him a more hands on approach in his field as he works hard to find a balance between treating athletes as well as being an athlete. Since becoming involved with the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, Dr K has competed in one full marathon and three half marathons, with two more full marathons on the schedule. If he can do it, so can you!

Hi! I'm Lynne Oosterhouse. Jan Lapp and I are in charge of coordinating and organizing all of the volunteers for the Grand Rapids Marathon. I have been on staff with the Grand Rapids Marathon since the beginning and enjoy working with our staff each year to try to look for opportunities to improve our race.

I started running in 1991 after my husband Craig came home from running the Irish Jig 5K. I thought the T-shirt he received was cool and I wanted one for myself. I have been running ever since! I have competed in 33 marathons, 3 ultras and a few triathlons. My favorite part of running is the people that I have met and the experiences that we have shared together.

My husband Craig works at Steelcase as a Product Training Consultant. I have been blessed and feel honored to be the mother of three of the most amazing children. Drew is a senior at Aquinas College and is on their baseball team as their starting catcher. Kendra is a sophomore at U of M and is majoring in chemistry; Katelyn is a senior at Grandville and participates in football and competitive cheerleading. I'm currently employed at Byrne Electrical Specialist as a Customer Relationship Professional and at Apex Realty as a Real Estate Agent. Call me at 616-304-5256 if you are buying or selling your home. (Sorry, Don... I couldn't resist!)

Without volunteers, no race would even begin...and the Grand Rapids Marathon has the most passionate and dedicated volunteers--and we make sure to spoil them so they come back each year. Please volunteer today and let me know if Jan or I can put you in a special position. If your spouse or friend is running the event, let us know and we will put you at the finish line so you can put the medal around their neck. I'm looking forward to working with the volunteers again this year!

I have been on the marathon staff for 3 years now. I attended Central Michigan University. I currently work as a Mortgage Loan Officer for Charter Funding. I have been a runner for about 10 years now. Past races include 5/3 Riverbank run, Chicago Marathon, and Bayshore Marathon.

Bob Karel (age 39) was anything but a runner until about 1995. Among other things... he used to be a 3 pack a day smoker! Going back to college for his Marketing Degree in his late 20's Bob was employed by local painter/runner Gord Herrema who challenged him to quit smoking and start running. 3 months later this 'novice runner' entered his first 5k race where he placed second in his age group of twenty seven people. The 'Novice' was hooked. Since then Bob has run 6 marathons (3:39 PR), six 25k's, 17 half marathons, 30 plus 10k's and more 5k's than he wants to count. In 2006 he became a triathlete and has competed in 3-6 triathlons a year ever since, this includes two 70.3 Ironman's! Bob is happily married to his amazing wife Shauna and has two young children. Ryen (5) and Camden (3) who are his daily inspiration. Bob is employed at CQL where he holds the title of 'Lead Listener'. CQL is a Software 'Dreams and Wishes' fulfillment company bringing innovation and excitement to the software development industry. Bob works in sales, marketing and business development.

Door & door knob salesman for large commercial construction projects (think JW Marriott, Van Andel Institute, Spectrum medical Mile)

Runner-long time, long distance biker-short time, skier, sailor, kayaker, grandfather to future Olympians now 7, 4, & 3 years old

Co-Race Director of the "Run Thru the Rapids" 10K/5K Sat. 10/11/08 @ 9:00 am at same YMCA!

If its outside, its cool, and I'm all in.

I am in charge of the Marathon Expo at the YMCA on Saturday before the race. I work at the David D. Hunting YMCA as the Senior Sports Director. The first two years of the GR Marathon I was a volunteer helping out on race day. This is my third year on the race committee organizing the expo.

Up until 14 years ago, running wasn't in my vocabulary. I was a serious beach volleyball player and played on a Midwest Professional Beach volleyball tour. I started off running my first race in the Edison Festival 5k in Ft. Myers, FL. It was an awesome experience running with 800+ people, and if front of thousands of people lining the parade route which was also the race route. The parade started the second the last finisher crossed the line, so you can just imagine 15,000+ people who are cheering you on to finish, because they want to encourage you or because they want the parade to start quicker. Either way it was a win-win for everyone.

Ever since then I started running in more 5k's then 10k's, and then I made the leap of faith and did my first 1/2 marathon in Naples, FL. Didn't prepare properly and made the rookie mistakes, went out like I was running a 5k, ran into cramping issues by mile 10, but managed to finish the race. I have been running for about 14 years now, with a few sprint distance Triathlons sprinkled in while living in Florida, then I moved back to Michigan and tried the River Bank 25k. Loved it and have raced in it the last 8 years. This year I am making another running leap, into the world of marathons, and will be competing in my first marathon here at the beautiful GR marathon this fall.
I am supported by my wife, Heidi, and kids, Ryan and Mackenzie, who are always cheering me on.

See you all at the finish line.

Hello! I'm George Ranville. Andy Grosvenor and I coordinate the start/finish area of the marathon. 2010 will be my 5th year working with the awesome Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon staff and we are all dedicated to making your experience here better each and every year. The fencing, electrical power, tents, banners, flags, heat for the med tent, tables and chairs, trash cans, toilets, road closures around the starting area, and of course the beer and chili zone, are just some of things we set up. Our goal is to be standing around calmly well before the singing of the national anthem. If not, well, we're the two guys sprinting around in the 30 minutes before the start!

At age 54 I will run my first marathon in Duluth in June 2010. Looking back I've always run. As a team sports guy, I began running in high school when my football coach suggested we run 2 miles every day to be in shape for the season. It helped my endurance in football games and helped my pitching in the late innings, and did wonders for my basketball game. I kept running and was up to 4 miles a day when I graduated from Hope College. During an 11 year Navy career, I kept running. We ran on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, and ran in port, and ran at lunch all over Washington, DC with other officer running partners. But still the main reason was to train for other sports - basketball and softball - which I played every week well into my 40's. When we moved home to Grand Rapids in 1991, I entered my first organized races, and although I can probably throw you out at home plate in a softball game, in running I'm a happy back-of-the-pack guy. I've run a handful of 25k Riverbank runs, 3 half marathons (2 GR half marathons) and lots of 5k's. I have never even come close to scaring medal, but I'm never really near last either.

My wife Gail, who I have been married to for 30 wonderful years in 2010, is the marathon runner in the family, and also is on the marathon staff. She's the curly blond you will see around the event. Gail is a relentless trainer, and has not missed a day of running or training in almost 5 years. I can usually see her ponytail bobbing ahead of me in the distance when we run in groups.

I'm the co-founder and Executive Director of the Grand Rapids based charity, Alternatives in Motion, which has been providing wheelchairs to people without insurance across Michigan and in neighboring states for the last 15 years. www.alternativesinmotion.org I met Marathon Don Kern at a 5k race held at a local school fundraiser for our cause. Don thought our mission was way cool, and wanted to help. He set up several 5k "brewery runs" that raised money and friends for our cause. We have been buddies ever since and I recruited Don to our Board of Directors in 2009, and he became the President of the Board beginning in January of 2010.

Matt Chapman who also works with Alternatives in Motion is the overall charity coordinator for the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon and those of you running for charities will talk to Matt at some point. Be sure to look for the Alternatives in Motion finish line flowers!

Yup. Don talked me into signing up for my first marathon this year. Resistance is useless.

Running has brought me places I never thought possible. The joy of running and giving back to the community prompted me to contact Don Kern, which led to various duties at Grand Rapids Marathon events over the past three years. This will be my second year as Co-Director of the Start / Finish Area for marathon weekend, along with Co-director, George Ranville.

At one time, I said, Running, why would I do that? I've always enjoyed being outside, and growing up the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, snowshoeing, skiing, ice-fishing, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting are pre-requisites. Sports and fitness kept me healthy in school and at university. However, I got bitten by the running bug in my last year of college - I describe running as the best disease possible. I ran my first 5K to support the Women's Northern Michigan University Cross Country Team.

Numerous 5K races followed. At first it was extrinsic things like a t-shirt and post-race food that were my motivation. Then I became part of the running community, and befriended this unique group of people who also liked running. Eventually, my motivation became more intrinsic for inner peace and personal goals.

My wife, daughter, and I moved to Grand Rapids in 2006, and we had already logged many miles as a family. Our jogger stroller has hundreds of miles on it. My wife runs marathons and other events - like the Grand Rapids Running Club races- as well, so we have to balance our training times. Our daughter has been witnessing running since she can remember, and we were quite proud that she ran the entire Bagel Beanery Kids Marathon in 2008 at the age of three - and again in 2009.

I have run nine marathons to date, along with my first 50-mile ultra-marathon at the North Country Trail Run last year. I have run the 5th / 3rd River Bank Run five times, and have completed numerous races of other distances. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are my winter passions, and I have completed races in these sports too.

My next feat is to improve myself through BAREFOOT running. I plan on running the Fallsburg Mararthon, North Country Trail Run 50 Mile Ultra-marathon, and the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon with the Staff in October, each of them barefoot. Running has become even more of an adventure with my feet feeling each run more and more - Again, I never thought I would be running for joy, let along barefoot running, but one can make the impossible very possible, indeed

See ya at da FINISH, eh!

Rich Hunefeld is the coodinator for the relay teams. He is 59 years old and has been running since his baby boy was born 31 years ago. He has run three marathons including our very own Grand Rapids Marathon, finishing in 4 hours 22 minutes. Rich is a shop teacher at Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville MI. He is married to Mia Hunefeld and has two kids. More importantly he has three grand-kids. Rich says that he runs because he likes to eat. He was once 250 pounds and he says that without running it is mighty difficult to keep the boyish figure he now has.