Ambassadors

Amanda moved to the East Bay after completing her doctorate in neuroscience in 2013. She currently works as a research scientist in San Francisco and enjoys running and cycling all over Berkeley and Oakland on the weekends. Amanda found running in the spring of 2009 as part of a weight loss journey that would eventually lead her to discover her inner athlete. Five years later, she has completed 4 marathons, 10 half marathons, and 2 duathlons. Amanda started blogging at Running On Waffles in 2011 to share the ups and downs of her training, her love of food, wine, & traveling, and her kitchen creations.

I am originally from Poland. I moved to the US in 2000 and have been living in Berkeley the last seven years. I became serious about running in 2010 and that year I run my first half marathon: Oakland International. Since then I have completed a countless number of races and this year I have managed to finish two 50Ks. Recently I have become more of an endurance runner, enjoying longer distance (trail) runs with the company of others and in solitude. I cross train at the gym, on a road bike and at the Pilates studio. I am always striving to improve myself personally, professionally and athletically. I find that a combination of hard core fitness, healthy eating and meditation helps me better deal with the ups and downs of life (or better deal with life’s challenges).

In 2012 I re-located to the Bay area to attend graduate school and am now five short months months from completing this crazy journey to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I have been a Registered Nurse since 2001, a mother since 2004, a single mother since 2006 and a runner since 2008. It was quite the decade for me! As far as athleticism, I didn’t really come from a family which was involved in sports, and though I frequented the gym from my early twenties onward, my motivation wasn’t always consistent. Unlike others who can identify exactly why they started to run, my running roots speak more to adding variety to a somewhat monotonous work out routine. I remember hearing about a local upcoming half marathon and thought the herculean effort it would take to train for such an event was really beyond anything I was physically capable of accomplishing. Low and behold, I was wrong. Since that race in 2008 I have run numerous half marathons, several full marathons and two 50K’s, the last within a month of one another. School has depleted a lot of my energy, but I haven’t lost my enthusiasm and love for running, something I cannot wait to share as a BHM ambassador!

Originally from Fieldbrook California, I moved to the San Francisco bay area as an adult, live and work in Berkeley at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as well as in real estate. My love for running started with track and cross country through college where I developed a talent at longer distance events. I decided to start training again 4 years ago after getting treatment for a serious medical condition, and developed a renewed love of the sport as I continued to feel better and better and received encouragement from fellow runners. Although trail and mountain running are my main passion, I like to run a nice fast road race on occasion such as the Berkeley Half Marathon to try and set a PR. San Francisco was my very first marathon with a time of 2:55, and since then have achieved numerious wins and top 3 finishes in trail races such as the Golden Hills Marathon, Tahoe Rim 50k, and local trail half marathons. It is my hope to continue to grow as an athlete, and inspire others to work through physical challenges to achieve their highest potential as runners as others have done for me.

I have lived most of my life in England but lived in Australia until I was 7 1/2 years old. I moved to the Bay Area with my husband in 2010 from England.
I’m a physical therapist by trade but at the moment I’m a full time mum to my wonderful son (aged 2) who is my biggest cheerleader and coach. I registered for my first half marathon in 2011 to give myself a mental and physical challenge, who knew I would go on to do 10 more, complete a full marathon and still continue to enter more events.
I was born with neuromuscular problems in my left leg, but it hasn’t stopped me climbing the 3 biggest mountains in the UK in 48 hours or running a marathon. You can find me limping my way round any event. My proudest and fondest memories running are completing a 1/2 marathon 41/2 months after having my son and completing my first full marathon last year.

I’m a mom, a wife, a daughter and a runner. I run to keep my rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia under control and to give myself respite as I’m my mom’s caregiver 24/7 after her stroke in 2012. I’ve been able to discontinue one of the medications I take because of my running. I run to inspire others to also run for their health. I run to set an example for my kids, that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. I love to read, sew, knit, blog, and learn new things. I’m learning to like running on dirt trails, but I love running on paved trails in natural environments. I’ve run 13 half marathons since June 2013 and I have run 8 so far in 2014 with 12 more on the schedule.

I am a 15 time marathoner, started running marathons at the age of 13. Been through the ups and downs of running that included a set back of suffering a knee injury but only to come back stronger than ever. Running has always been my passion since I could remember, as I pound on the pavement to rack up those miles. In the future Id love to run marathons internationally and enjoy the experience of running all around the world.

Hi, my name is Jessica and I am an addict. I’m not ashamed of my addiction. I’ve been addicted to running for over a year and I love it! I haven’t had my addiction for that long but it’s opened up gateway to new friends and places.
My first race was as part of a relay team in the pouring rain at the California International Marathon in Sacramento. I could barely run a 10k back then but that race made me strive to do better. Seeing all the people running and the crowds cheering gave me enough energy to sprint to the race, albeit soaking wet.
I worked backwards in my running career, I did a half marathon, then a 10k and then a 5k. I’ve completed two half marathons so far, including BHM last year. I love the running community and how I feel when I’m running. I may not be the fastest or go for the longest runs but I still love the sport.

My name is Joshua Mehlman; I am a runner, mechanical engineer, and artist (not necessarily in that order).
I spend most of my days working as a consultant on vibration and acoustics issues.
I spend most of my evenings and weekends pounding pavement and trails.
What ever time is left I work on photograph and robotics art projects.
As a third generation Berkeleyian I have been proud to call Berkeley for most of my life.
As a runner I am proud to serve the Berkeley Half Marathon as an ambassador for its second year.

I was born and raised in LA, but spent four years living in Berkeley (to attend Cal), and then another seven years in San Jose (I went to grad school at Santa Clara), before moving back to LA. I’ve been running off and on for almost ten years, the last of which I finally understood the fun of running with a club (Pasadena Pacers!). I run on Saturday mornings with the Pasadena Pacers, without whom I never would have made it to the LA Marathon finish line this year! I look forward to the SF Marathon next month, and a few other races between then and the Berkeley Half in November.

Kate started her running journey when her husband was deployed in Afghanistan in 2012. Running a half marathon was always on her bucket list, so she took the plunge and signed up for the Los Angeles Rock ‘n Roll half marathon and haven’t slowed down since. Dubbed “The Year of the Run,” she ran 19 half marathons in 2013 that spanned 6 different states. With a new-found passion to live a healthier and happier lifestyle, she created Dream Body Warrior, where she can share her feelings and experiences about training for her first full marathon, trying a new fitness class, and recapping her favorite races. She started a 1,000 Mile Challenge with her online running group and it has now over 110 active members. Her number one goal is to inspire and motivate women of all ages to live fit and fearless.

My name is Kim and I am a student at UC Berkeley. I am finishing up double major in Spanish and Social Welfare with a minor in Global Poverty & Practice. I am originally from Riverside, California but moved to Berkeley in 2011. Along with my academic endeavors, running is a big part of my life, I love to run and I am very passionate about it! There is nothing like the satisfaction of conquering a grueling interval workout, long run, or running a great race! The reflection time running gives me is not only therapeutic, but one could not put a price to it!

I started running 7 years ago, on a whim. I was never meant to be a runner—I have asthma, didn’t have any friends who ran, had never been taught how to run properly. Despite all of that or perhaps because of it, I slowly became a runner. Since then, I have run dozens of 5ks and 10ks, 10 half marathons, 1 Ragnar Relay and 1 full. I’ve convinced several others to start running with me. Every time I fall down (literally or metaphorically), I get back up and keep on running. I’m incredibly happy to be able to help others do the same thing.

Watch a baby that is just learning to walk. Now, wait two weeks and you’ll see nothing but that same baby running, and joyfully so. Running comes so natural to everybody. Well, I never grew up. I love running. I love everything about running. I love the workout. I love the challenge. I love racing. I love the community of runners. I love that running is for everyone. In fact, I love it so much I became a coach so that I can share my love of running with others. I am super stoked to be an ambassador for the Berkeley Half Marathon. It’s just another great way to be involved in this fun game of running. I hope I never grow up!

Im a recovering runner with family genetics are against me. I started running about 4 years ago. I have been injured on and off over those years discovering what hurts me and what does not. I greatly enjoy helping others start running and keep those running continue running. I am happy that my coworker Eleanor and I started a running group in Albany.

I am a current student at UC Berkeley. I have been running competitively since my freshman year in HS when I finally joined — and got hopelessly addicted to — track. Upon entering college last fall, I have raced 3 half marathons with the Berkeley Half being my very first. I am also hoping to compete in XC with the Strawberry Canyon Track Club this year, because, you know, I just can’t give up my beloved sport in college.

I was born crippled, I grew up obese, and I lived without hope for 23 years. But when I found inspiration and belief from others, I found invincible. Nowadays, I’ll do anything I can to inspire others, because I get my energy from community. I always remember what it was like to be unable to walk one mile, much less run 13. I serve my community, because my community has given me more than I ever dreamed of. So if you see me running around Berkeley or anywhere in the Bay Area, come along for the run. And if you’re too tired, you can hop in my wagon!