Run Leaders' Biographies
North Vancouver:
5km: Meredith Cale
10km: Gary Robbins
Half & Full-Marathon: Kristin Ohm-Pedersen
Trail Run: Ryne Melcher
Vancouver:
5km: Ryne Melcher
10km: Adam Way & Meredith Cale
Half & Full-Marathon: Adam Way & Meredith Cale
Port Moody:
5km: Caresse Selk
10km: Jason Dmyterko
Half & Full-Marathon: Natasha Wodak
Trail Run: Caresse Selk
Surrey:
5km & 10km: Jason Dmyterko
Langley:
5km & 10km: Kathy Friesen
Maple Ridge:
5km & 10km: Brenda Mitchell & Gillian Wark
Abbotsford:
5km & 10km: Mike Palichuk
Meredith Cale: Vancouver - 5km / North Van - 5km
I became interested in running when I started going to UBC. Since then, running has evolved from a convenient and inexpensive form of exercise to a passion that consumes more of my time than I am willing to admit. I have been running for over four years and competing for the past three.
Over the years, I have participated in a variety of different races ranging from 10 km all the way to the ultra-marathon distance. I have even dappled into the world of triathlon.
I also strongly believe in the importance of cross training. As such, I am an avid swimmer, cyclist and yogi. I am very excited to share my experiences and encourage you every step of the way on your running journey!
Jason Dmyterko: Port Moody - 10km
I have been running for as long as I can remember, starting at 6 years old when my dad would take me out for 1 mile runs every day. I competed in and won numerous cross country and track and field events as a youngster. Running then took a back seat to team sports which were starting to consume my life such as basketball. I ended up joining the track and field team in grade 12 again and always kept running in my life, just as a secondary form of exercise though.
In 2009, I became a BCRPA certified personal trainer, but found that it wasnt exactly what I wanted to do. When Kintec started up their running clinics I thought it would be a great way to to get back into helping others achieve some of their fitness goals as well as pushing myself to achieve goals of my own. I did my first half marathon in October of 2011 and plan on doing many more in the future. I love meeting all the new people that come through the clinics, and it has really rejuvinated my love for running and training, as there is nothing more gratifying to me than helping other people and seeing the look on their faces when they have reached their goals.
Kathy Friesen: Langley - 5km & 10km
I began running about 10 years ago at the age of 40 and decided that I needed something more than a trip to the gym or pool. I wanted to run a full marathon before I turned fifty years of age and I was able to achieve that goal and have never looked back. l trained with the Delta Ground Pounders and completed several 10k runs and several full/half marathons in Vancouver, Maui and Vegas to name a few. I also mentor for Team in Training with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and have helped many participants train to run a half or full marathon for the first time.
I have completed one full marathon and am off to Italy to run my second. I live in Langley and work as a Child and Youth Care Counselor and find running a great release for the everyday stresses we have in our busy lives. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved with Kintec’s running clinic and share what I ‘ve learned and why running is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself.
Mike Palichuk: Abbotsford - 5km & 10km
In 2004 I decided to test my fitness level by running the Vancouver International Marathon. Having been a runner off and on for the majority of my life I considered the challenge of the marathon to be both manageable and easy. Well, on May 2, 2004 – Race day for the old VIM that year, I gained a new perspective on running. It could be tough! Previous to my first marathon I had run several 10K races and half marathons without undertaking any sort of training regimen. Running was simply an activity that provided intrinsic pleasure and unlimited feelings of freedom. The 2004 VIM woke me up in the sense that it informed me that I had a lot to learn about the finer details of running. I decided then to become a more focused runner. A runner intent on gaining knowledge and insight that would help me become the best runner I could be.
Since 2004 I have run 15 marathons, including seven consecutive Vancouvers, over 20 ultramarathons, and several shorter races. Last summer I ran in my first 100 mile race – the Western States Endurance Run. I am on a constant quest towards improving my marathon personal best of 2:50:53, my Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run PB of 5:35:32, and my Diez Vista 50K Trail Run PB of 4:48. Of course there are many other races and events that I am hoping to participate in in the coming years, with Western States being the obvious one at the top of my list. In my opinion, the beauty of running is that it provides endless amounts of opportunities for a runner to set personal goals – whether they are to improve fitness, to travel to new places, to make new friends, to run faster times, or to achieve any other sort of personal satisfaction.
Kristin Ohm-Pedersen: North Van - Half & Full-Marathon
I have been an athlete all my life. Volleyball, yoga, soccer, track & field, kayaking, you name it, I played it.
About 4 years ago I decided to focus on long-distance running. I ran my first half-marathon here in Vancouver in 2008 and have since progressed to running marathons and ultramarathons. Along the way, I've become hopelessly addicted to running! I am still chasing that elusive Boston Qualifier in the marathon distance. I have completed several 50km races and one 50 miler.
I enjoy being out in the wilderness and running through some amazing places that many people only dream about! A solid mid-packer, I enjoy blogging about my running and various running and health topics in an effort to promote running and healthy living.
As a group leader, I am looking forward to leading a clinic and passing on my love of running to others.
Ryne Melcher: Vancouver - Half & Full-Marathon
I have been running for nearly 20 years. I have competed in over 500 running events ranging in distance from 400 meters to 550 miles. I am currently a member of the Montrail / Mountain Hardwear Ultramarathon Team and have also represented Canada 5 times at the World 100km Championships.
I have a personal best in the marathon of 2:32:04 but mostly run ultra marathons, 143 of them as of the end of 2010 to be exact! Back in April I set the Canadian Record for 50 miles on trail in a time of 5:54:15.
I have been coaching and teaching clinics for nearly a decade. I have coached cross country and track and field back in Ontario at Bluevale Collegiate and Oakville-Trafalgar High School as well as national level distance athletes. My favourite, however, has been teaching clinics at the beginner/10km run level. I’ve enjoyed seeing people transform and complete something they once thought improbable.
I’m excited to partner with Kintec to get folks wanting to hit time goals for the Sun Run, or just cross a finish line they once found daunting. I look forward to running some miles with you!
Brenda Mitchell: Maple Ridge - 5km & 10km
I have always been an active person, involved with many sports and in the past enjoyed running recreationally. Last year, I decided to join the Kintec running clinic to both challenge myself and to run in a group setting. Through the support of the clinic leaders and fellow runners, I realized I could run longer and further than I had ever thought and found I looked forward to our weekly runs together.
I enjoyed the clinic so much, I welcomed the opportunity to teach and motivate others to run. As a past Personal Trainer, I find it very rewarding to educate, support and encourage others to set and reach their own goals. As a Kinesiologist, I understand how important physical exercise is for the body, believe in a healthy, active lifestyle, and find running complements this perfectly. I am looking forward to entering a few running events with friends this year and inspiring others to also find their own passion for running.
Gary Robbins: North Vancouver - 10km
I started running in 2004 and have worked my way up to ultra distance races. I have plenty of run clinic experience and I'm very excited to help people work towards their running goals!
Caresse Selk: Port Moody - 5km
I didn’t start off with big running goals. All I wanted to do was wear green, complete a 5 km St. Paddy’s Day Run then drink beer at the after party! But running can be addicting for a girl like me that loves a challenge. I then started trail running, which allowed me to explore faster and further on the same trails that I love to hike. I set my goal on the Buntzen 5 Peaks Trail race and loved the added element of competition.
I then discovered destination races which just gave me one more excuse to travel (not that I needed one)! I completed my first ½ marathon in Florida this past fall and will heading to New Orleans in March 2012 for another ½ marathon. I also ran in the local New Balance Fall Classic ½. My ultimate destination race would be the 55 km Laugavegur Ultra Marathon mountain race in Iceland! I still love the short fun races though and this St. Paddy’s day you will again find me in green, running 5 km and drinking beer!
I’m thrilled to be instructing for Kintec and hope to show new runners how to find the balance of fitness and fun in their runs and hope to run with some of you on this St. Paddy’s day!
Gillian Wark: Maple Ridge - 5km & 10km
April 2012 will mark my 20th anniversary of starting running. I began running during Grad school as a stress release. Most of my running has been done solo, however I have participated in numerous SunRuns, several half marathons, and the 5 Peaks Mount Seymour Trail Race. In 2011, I joined Kintec’s trail running clinic out of Port Moody and I fell in love with the group running experience. I have met some amazing new running friends who are supportive and humorous and running leaders who are truly inspirational.
I am running with Kintec because I have set some running goals for myself (such as completion of a full marathon), but also because the clinic experience itself is fulfilling. As a psychologist, I am convinced that healthy living is happy living. As a mom of four kids, I know that running is a perfect way to relieve stress and boost self-confidence. I would like to support these positive benefits in others who join the clinic running groups.
Adam Way: Vancouver - 5km
I have been running seriously for the past four years and competing for the past three. After starting on the roads with the marathon distance I then shifted to trail running and the ultra-running scene.
I have competed in over twelve races including five ultra trail marathons. Some of my most memorable experiences have included the Trans-Rockies 5-day 115+mile stage race in Colorado and running in the local Port Moody Diez Vista 50km the last two years.
I have a background as a clinic leader with trail running training groups on the North Shore. Through this I have gained considerable inspiration and knowledge from fellow runners. The KINTEC running clinic is a perfect opportunity to pass on this knowledge and to inspire and support others in their running endeavors. I am excited about the opportunity.
Natasha Wodak: Port Moody - Half & Full-Marathon
Bio Pending