OUR HISTORY
Founded in 2009 by a group of passionate individuals, Team FrontRunner has grown into a supportive running community in Columbus. With an average of 45-50 members per session, the team has helped numerous individuals achieve their running goals while fostering a strong sense of camaraderie. The team takes pride in celebrating the accomplishments of its members, organizing social events to recognize successful training sessions and further strengthen the community bond. Since 2021, Team FrontRunner Columbus has been affiliated with the Road Runners Club of America, ensuring the safety of club operations through insurance coverage.
THE PACERS
GLORIA GANS MCCARTHY
Bio
BEN SHANNON
Ben Shannon, the accomplished and humble pacer for Team FrontRunner, possesses a remarkable running journey that extends globally. Despite conquering the World Major Boston Marathon and tackling the grueling challenges of 100-mile endurance races, Ben remains approachable, sharing his experiences to guide beginners on their own paths.
His international competition background adds a unique dimension to his mentoring, showcasing a diverse range of skills honed on various terrains and against elite competition. Whether working with elites or supporting those just starting, Ben's blend of achievement and humility makes him an invaluable figure in the running community, inspiring individuals to reach their peak potential, regardless of their level of experience.
AMY KAYE TAYLOR
Pace Captain
Amy Kaye Taylor is the leader of the Woohoo Crew! She started running in 2005 training for her first ever race – a half-marathon! Since then she has run 22 marathons, countless half-marathons and has fallen in love with trail running. Amy Kaye has been a pacer for Team FrontRunner for over a decade and particularly enjoys helping first time distance runners achieve their goals.
JANELLE MILLER
Janelle Miller started running in 2009 and has been a pacer for Team FrontRunner since 2015. She has completed a total of 17 half-marathons and 25+ full marathons. Her goal is to complete 50 marathons in 50 states by age 50, #50before50. Outside of running, Janelle likes to spend her time outside hiking, snuggling with her Labrador, and traveling with her husband.
BEN BRUNO
Ben Bruno joined Team Frontrunner in the fall session of 2015 to train for his first marathon. Since then, he’s run 16 full marathons and numerous half’s. His goal is to one day run a marathon in every state! Ben spends his free time exploring national parks, playing board games with friends, and watching Ohio sports.
CHRIS TAYLOR
Chris started running cross country in junior high and continued through his sophomore year at Bowling Green State University until an Achilles tendon injury. He has been with Team FrontRunner since its inception and has been a pacer for over a decade. During a running streak surpassing 1500 days, he logged runs in Kenya, Alaska, and Vietnam.
BARRETT TENNEY
Barrett ran his first marathon in 2010 and has completed 15 full marathons as of 2022. I bring sarcasm, fun, and structure to the pace group. Running with Team FrontRunner has kept me motivated over the years, and it really helps knowing there is always someone there to run "extra" with. My goal is to stay healthy and try to hit all 50 states before I die! Outside of running I enjoy travelling with my wife and curling up on couch with our two rescue dogs. Jasmine likes to run the occasional 5k with me :).
THE BOARD
JANET GAUER
Club Vice President
Bio
VICCI JAFFE
Club President
Vicci began running 40 years ago (when running was invented) with 5ks and 10ks. Inspired by her daughters, she ran her first marathon in 2010. Since then, she has completed 16 marathons. In addition to her own running, Vicci enjoys crewing and pacing her friends in their ultra-marathons. She also loves gardening, cooking, and playing with family, friends, and fur buddies.
STEPHANIE STOCKAR
Club Secretary
Stephanie started running in 2015 when she joined Team FrontRunner by somewhat mistake. She will gladly tell you the whole story during one of the long runs.
Since then, she has completed several half marathons and marathons, a few 50k and two 50 milers. Along the way, she (easily) convinced her husband to join the team and made wonderful friends who made those long miles so fun.
Stephanie enjoys the outdoors, the mountains, baking and spending time with her husband, their cat Kevin and dog Benny.
DAVID MEHRLE
Club Treasurer
David’s running journey began casually during graduate school but truly took off in 2009 when he joined Team FrontRunner in its inaugural year. Motivated by friends running marathons and a comical 5k defeat to a ketchup and mustard bottle, he decided to get serious about training. His first half marathon was in 2009, followed by a full marathon in 2010. David has since completed 25 marathons, including Boston, New York, and Chicago, and numerous half marathons. Beyond running, he is an avid sports fan supporting OSU, the Columbus Crew, and the Cincinnati Reds. A lifelong learner, David shares his home with his wife Annaliese, their dog Arnie, and proudly ran marathons with each of his two adult sons.
