I started running in college. My Aquinas friends were running, so I joined the track team and then cross country. Some of my teammates were training for the marathon at Nationals, so I decided to train and run at Nationals with them. This led me to volunteer for the Grand Rapids Marathon. I have been on the staff for 13 years. You may see me around on race weekend, helping wherever I can. I am in charge of cleanup for the Grand Rapids Marathon and also help wherever else I’m needed. After the runners start the race, I drive the first few miles of the course to collect all the dropped clothes and bring them back to the start/finish line. Sometimes I help with the relay. I work on the other races: Millennium Meadows, BQ.2, Groundhog, and also The Fred and White Pine Thaw. 

I met my wife Katie (who also volunteers at all the events) through the Grand Rapids Running Club. We got engaged at the finish line of the 2009 Riverbank Run. At the 2011 Grand Rapids Marathon, a very pregnant Katie and I volunteered all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. She held off till the race was over to go to the hospital and have our son, Marathon Baby, on Monday. 

My family loves to travel, and we have a goal of visiting 50 states before Marathon Baby graduates high school.