WE ARE GRP RUN

(she/her)

Alanna is in her first year as the Director of GRP Run. Alanna took up running cross country in high school, then continued competing in cross country and track at Colby College. While in college, she helped captain both the cross country and track teams. Alanna was a 3x All-American in the steeplechase and indoor mile, as well as competed at the NCAA Cross Country championship 3 times. After college, she began her professional career as a coach and continued to find joy in running. Alanna now spends her time enjoying a variety of athletic pursuits, such as cross country skiing, biking and trail running.

Jamie Norton

(he/him)

Jamie is the Head Coach for Men's and Women's Cross Country at University of La Verne in southern California, in his 9th year of collegiate coaching. He led the La Verne Men's XC team to their best finish in program history at the SCIAC conference meet this fall in his second season with the team, and his athletes have set 9 school records. Prior to La Verne, he was an assistant coach at Williams College, where coached 18 all-Americans, two 3rd place NCAA Division III Cross Country teams, and a National championship team in indoor track and field. Jamie has also coached at North Central College, where he was a part of 3 National Championship teams, and his alma mater Tufts University. He competed as a middle distance and XC runner at Tufts University, where he earned DIII All-American honors in the 1500m and Distance Medley Relay, and was on a qualifying team for the DIII National Championship in Cross Country. Jamie is a USTFCCCA certified specialist in the jumping events and a certified strength and conditioning coach.

Favorite GRP Run Experience

"So many good memories, from athletes crashing in my guest bedroom to watching crazy breakout performances. For me the one that stands out was our team race at Club XC nationals. We had some solid performances, nothing special but a good showing, but lots of extra down time together to really connect socialize and get to know each other. Definitely helped the group that was there come together!"

(he/him)

Mike (aka Schmidty) is the Head Coach for Men's and Women's Cross-Country at Brandeis University in Boston, in his first year with the program. Mike previously spent eleven years coaching at Tufts, where the Jumbo mid-distance and distance runners earned 36 All-American honors, including five national titles, and broke 11 out of 12 all-time school records. He has been voted the USTFCCCA New England Assistant Coach of the Year three times by his peers. Mike ran collegiately at Middlebury College, where he led the men’s team to their first-ever Division III NCAA Championship berth in Cross-Country, anchored their first All-American Distance Medley Relay, and holds school and conference records in the 10,000m and indoor 5,000m.

Favorite GRP Run Experience

"Meeting the Sprigs in person is always so rewarding, at camp and at races and any chance to catch a run! Their energy and motivations are inspiring to see in all facets of their lives. This is a special group and their camaraderie in person is a lot of fun to witness."

(he/him)

School Union College

Occupation Project Director, Vermont Land Trust

Running Highlights

1st at TARC Spring Classic 2024

2nd at Ragged 50k (USATF Trail National Championships) 2023

2nd at Cayuga Trails 50k 2023

1st at Runamuck 50k 2023

1st and CR at Groton Forest Trail Run – 26.5 miler 2022

FKTs

Waterville Valley Skyline Loop (2022)
Monoosnoc Ridge Trail (2022)

Born and raised in Vermont, Mead fell in love with exploring the outdoors from a young age, often by traversing his backyard trails on foot or skis. A former collegiate soccer player, Mead began to seriously pursue trail running after hiking the Long Trail and summitting peaks in the Adirondacks, White Mountains, and Tetons. A lifelong conservationist and naturalist, Mead works as Project Director for the Vermont Land Trust, protecting and stewarding wild and working landscapes throughout the Central part of the state. When not plodding down the trails or working to promote land conservation, Mead spends his time hiking, skiing, birding, reading, and gardening with his partner and their pup, Isla. One to often combine passions, ask Mead what birds he’s heard after his next long run or race: you’re sure to get a full rundown.

(she/her)

School Bates College

Occupation PhD Candidate in Philosophy at Harvard University

Running Highlights

Course Record at 2023 Millinocket Half Marathon

Top 15 at Breakneck 2023

Top 35 at CCC 2022

2nd USATF 50k Trail Championships 2021

1st Vermont 50 Mile 2021

1st Moosalamoo 2022 (course record)

FKTs

Pemigewasset Loop (2020)

Alongside running, Britta enjoys skiing, biking, and cooking without recipes. She grew up in Vermont and presently lives in Portland, ME and is working towards a PhD in Philosophy. Her work focuses on the ethics of climate change, and her dissertation aims to develop a framework for making climate policy decisions in deeply unjust and non-ideal circumstances. Once she finishes her degree Britta hopes to teach, ideally somewhere in the New England area.

Favorite GRP Run Experience

"It's been amazing to be part of a community of people who are both amazing runners and wonderful people! I've learned so much from my teammates and Craftsbury coaches. I especially love running dirt roads and getting to know people in person at Craftsbury Camp, and having a team at races to celebrate the highs and lows with."

she/her
School University of Evansville

Occupation Nonprofit Development

Running Highlights:

1st at Big South Fork Race 2023 (course record)

1st at Dirt Circuit Panther Creek 3hr 2023 (course record)

1st at Norris Ultra Dam Hard 25k

Sophie grew up running in the woods of southern Indiana, first as a wild little kid and later with her high school cross country team in the local state park. Soccer was her first passion and she pursued that with full commitment until a concussion in college sidelined her from contact sports for good. She still craved a team atmosphere and so walked onto the cross country team at the University of Evansville and continued her running career. It wasn’t until moving to Knoxville, TN and falling in love with the mountains there that she got back into trail running again. A job with a nonprofit brought her to Vermont in 2024 and she’s been (mostly) patiently learning how to ski between days running on the endless gravel roads. She’s been truly embracing her new home in the northeast and can’t wait to experience her first summer training in Vermont. Outside of running, she loves to bike, read, play with her dogs, and bake way too many sweets.

(he/him)

School University of Massachusetts Amherst

Occupation Musician, Wild Food Forager

Notable Results

Top 10 at Mt. Washinton 2023

USATF-NE Mountain Circuit Champion (2021 & 2022)

1st at Waterville Valley Mountain Race 2021

1st at Ascutney Mountain Race 2022

1st at Cranmore Mountain Race 2022

2nd at Loon Mountain Race 2021

5th at Tindahlaup Mosfellsbær (Iceland) 2021

6th at 2022 USATF Trail Marathon Championships - Breakneck Trail Run

7th at 2022 USATF Classic Mountain Championships - Whiteface Mountain Race

FKTs

Long 7 Sisters (2022)

Rutland SP & Barre Falls Loop (2020)

Ever since joining his high school cross country team, Stephen has been hooked on endurance sports. Triathlons and bicycle touring led to obstacle racing and more. In trail running, he has found a sport both pure and multifaceted, which keeps him motivated to master the discipline. Outside the sports sphere, Stephen is a musician and composer, often releasing music under the pseudonym Cooney Thatcher. He has toured many parts of the country over the years, performing his music. The remaining daylight is spent avidly foraging for edible wild plants. Stephen has a budding business leading foraging walks, supplying wild harvested produce, and deepening his ethnobotanical knowledge. He lives in Portland, ME with his fiancée, Charlotte

(she/her)

School University of Notre Dame

Occupation Private Wealth Management

PRs

5k: 15:52

10k: 33:09

Half-Marathon: 1:11:17

Marathon: 2:27.08

Notable Results

OTQ 2024

#14 US Women’s Marathoner of the Year 2023

11th USATF Track Championship 10k 2023

1st Trials of Miles Project 13.1 2023

3rd Pittsburgh Half Marathon 2023

Marathon OTQ 2024

Jacqueline Gaughan is a Boston based runner who runs 5k to marathon distances. She has already qualified for Olympic Trials in the marathon. She works full time as a Private Wealth Management analyst at Goldman Sachs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.

(she/her)

School Dartmouth College

Occupation MS Engineering/MBA student at Harvard University

Running Highlights

10th Bandera 2023

1st Sun Mountain 50k 2022

Elena first fell in love with trail running as a four year old trying to keep up with her dad bounding down Mt. Mansfield in Vermont. However, without the mountains nearby in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, she grew up focusing her energy on ice hockey, which she played at Dartmouth College. It wasn’t until she hung up the skates that she returned to running, using it as a way of exploring new areas, relaxing in nature, and building friendships in Seattle, WA, where she lived after graduating. More recently, grad school brought her back to the East coast, where she lives in Boston with her partner, Will, and studies as a joint MS Engineering/MBA student. Outside of running, she loves to ski, bike, climb, and try to beat her family at the daily Wordle.

Favorite GRP Run Experience

"My favorite GRP memory was the 20 mile run we did in some gnarly weather all around Lake Willoughby during camp. It's a rare combination for me to have some fun new trails to explore and have a great group of people to do that with, so I felt like I was smiling the entire time. We shared our hottest takes, swapped lots of stories, and finished feeling the familiar sense of belonging amongst teammates. Plus the hot shower and food afterwards was heavenly."

(she/her)

School Cornell University

Occupation Founder and Coach of Forward Focus Running

PRs

5k: 15:56

10k: 32:58

Half Marathon: 1:12:56

Marathon: 2:32.48

Notable Victories

OTQ 2024

New Bedford Half Marathon 2022

Katie grew up in West Windsor, NJ and started running competitively when she was 13. In high school, she was a Footlocker Cross Country Finalist and then continued on to Cornell University where she was a 3X All-American. Since college, Katie has competed at both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials, placing 28th and 57th respectively. She has also competed for Team USA at the 2013 International Chiba Ekiden in Chiba, Japan and the 2014 Edinburgh Great Cross Country Race in Edinburgh, Scotland. Outside of running, Katie enjoys spending time with her dog, visiting the US National Parks, hiking, and baking.

Favorite GRP Run Experience

"It has been really special for me to build new friendships through GRP Run. I love how I feel connected to and supported by my teammates & coaches across the country. When we have the opportunity to see each other in person at races and other events, it feels natural because we keep up with each other well. It is always fun to go to races and feel like I have a community of people to enjoy the experience with."

(she/her)

School Dartmouth College

Occupation Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Speech Neuroscience at Boston University

PRs

Half-Marathon: 1:17:21

Marathon: 2:39.34

Notable Results

1st at Speedgoat 28k 2023

5th at Kodiak 2023

50k Trail National Champion 2023 (Ragged Mountain)

6th USATF Trail Half Marathon Championship 2023

Marathon OTQ 2020

1st Cape Cod Marathon 2019

Hannah grew up in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. While her athletic passions in high school were initially soccer and basketball, she found an additional love for outdoor track and cross country her sophomore year and then went on to compete for Dartmouth College. Since college, she has developed an even deeper passion for running, and she has become intrigued with the journey of testing her mental and physical limits in the marathon Hannah has a clinical background in speech pathology and now does research in ways we can use speech as a biomarker to detect neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of running and research, Hannah loves hiking, all forms of skiing, and swimming in high alpine lakes with her husband and their dog, Bekele.

(he/him)

School: Dartmouth College

Occupation: Information Security Engineer

Running Highlights:

14:07 5,000m

29:59 10,000m

2:19:13 Road Marathon

USATF 50k Trail Champion at Ragged 50k in 2023

Kodiak 50k 3rd place and UTMB OCC Qualifier in 2023

Rapid motion through space has always been a priority for Phil. From the track to the road to the trails, he loves putting one foot in front of the other. He also deeply enjoys his nine-to-five mission of stopping cybercriminals in their tracks and preserving the sanctity of the internet as a place to post GPX tracks and summit pics. His favorite moments in life have been meeting the love of his life freshman year while on the cross country team at Dartmouth, finding their dog in the woods in Oklahoma, marrying the love of his life on a pond in New Hampshire, and island hopping in the Galapagos with his family.

(she/her)

School University of Illinois at Chicago - Doctor of Physical Therapy

Occupation Travel Physical Therapist

Notable Results

1st at Catamount 2023

6th Canyon Endurance Runs 100k 2023

1st Mt. Toby 50k 2023 (Course Record)

1st Midwest States 100M 2022 (Course Record)

2nd Kettle Morraine 100M 2021

2nd Hennepin Hundred 100M 2021

Getting lost in the Nicolet National Forest as a high school cross country runner in northern WI is where Sam discovered the world of trails. It wouldn’t be 6 years until she discovered trail ultramarathons after watching the Barkley Marathons documentary and has been hooked ever since. Besides running, she can be found rock climbing, hiking, skiing, camping and spending time with her rescue dogs. She enjoys seeing the country as a travel physical therapist and is very passionate about working with people who have had significant trauma or life altering conditions specifically with neurological diagnoses.

School Columbia University

Occupation Biotech HR Business Partner

PRs

5k: 16:14

Half Marathon: 1:14:54

Marathon: 2:36:57

Notable Results

OTQ 2024

Caroline found running early in life at 10 years old, running for her Catholic school league in Westfield, New Jersey. She continued through high school and college, running events ranging from the mile to 10k. After college, Caroline has moved up in distance to the half marathon and marathon. In parallel, Caroline started her career as a management consultant and now specializes in strategic HR in the biotech industry. She currently lives in Boston and enjoys curling up with a good book or taking walks around Beacon Hill when she’s not working or running.

Favorite GRP Run Experience

"Competing as a team at Club XC Nationals in Tallahassee: "we performed even better than expected and it lit the flame for all of us going into 2022."

(he/him)

School Harvard

Occupation Political Strategist & Author

Notable Results

28th (5th American) at UTMB 2023

3rd at Canyons Endurance Runs 100M 2023

3rd at Bandera 2023

Top 50 at UTMB 2022

1st Cruel Jewel 100 2021 (course record)

FKTs

S.C.A.R. (2022)

Art Loeb (2022)

Born & raised in the beautiful backwoods of Southern Appalachia and the North Cascades, mountain trails underfoot have been a constant for Canyon ever since he took his first steps. He has been running as a means of play & exploration for most of his life, frequently startling deer and foxes in the open meadows and farmlands near his home and ducking through forests of rhododendron to link up forgotten logging roads hidden deep in the mountains. Canyon keeps coming back for the grounding sense of connection - to self, others, and the land - that flows unrestrained on the trail, and which feels all the more essential amidst this digital world. It's those same things, manifested in a very different way, that draw him to the work of organizing for political change. With his dear friend Senator Chloe Maxmin, he co-authored Dirt Road Revival: How to Rebuild Rural Politics and Why Our Future Depends on It, and is the co-founder of Dirtroad Organizing, an organization dedicated to progressive rural organizing.

Favorite GRP Run Experience

"My favorite experiences with GRP have been getting to meet up with teammates and coaches at races across the country + globe. If I had to pick one, it would be the annual team camp at Craftsbury in the summer! Learning to shoot from the GRP Biathlon team, going on a long rainy adventure trail run with the skiers, bonfire and games of stump with the rowers, the legendary Craftsbury meals, swimming in the lake, running the dirt roads, visiting Bread & Puppet and a local brewery... good living!"