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.
OUR PEOPLE
MIKE TAYLOR
Head Coach
I was an oft injured, minor contributor to some really good HS teams, but was done fighting after HS was over. To work through some issues and relieve stress, I started running after a 12-year hiatus. In 2004, got a 12-week plan to run inaugural Cap City Half Marathon, then Columbus Marathon that Fall. In February of the following year, I started @ FR and the rest as they say, "is History". I have run 18 marathons, though 3 as a pacer, four 50k's and two 70 milers. Team FR started in 2009, and I became coach in 2011. I love watching others perform; track is my favorite sport.
I am a McMillan Certified Running coach and currently coaching Team FR. I have always enjoyed the process day to day over the races; running was my daily therapy. I wish to help anyone understand the process of training to obtain their personal goals. I hope they get out of running whatever they desire knowing what it has done for me
BEN BRUNO
Pace Leader
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! This is his first year as a pace leader, but he’s been a part of the 8:00 group since 2015. Ben spends his free time exploring national parks, playing board games with friends, and watching Ohio sports.
BEN SHANNON
Pace Leader
Ben Shannon started running in 1996 and has been training with Team FrontRunner since 2014. He has completed a total of 70 marathons and ultras including a world major marathon, Boston. He is chasing a no day off run streak started May 9th 2022 with his partner. His goals are to run a 2:50:00 marathon, run a sub 16:00:00 100 mile ultra-marathon, race both nationally and internationally in the coming years and place top 10 at the Western States 100 mile endurance run, the world's oldest 100 mile trail race. Outside of running, Ben likes to spend his time reading, writing, playing piano and working on DIY home projects.
CHRIS TAYLOR
Pace Leader
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 the FrontRunner Training Group 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
Pace Leader
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 :).
JANELLE MILLER
Pace Leader
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.
AMY KAYE TAYLOR
Pace Leader
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.
GEOFF YOUNG
Club President
Geoff ran his first half-marathon in 2011 and his first marathon in 2013. He has completed 14 marathons along with countless 5k's, 4 milers, 5 milers and 10ks. If it is a race, Geoff is in. Running is an integral of his life and he currently maintaining a run streak of over 2 years. My goal is to stay healthy, have fun and enjoy the run. Outside of running, I enjoy spending time with my family (my wife, Lisa, 2 boys and 2 dogs) and watching football (Buckeyes and the Browns).
VICCI JAFFE
Club Vice 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.
KRIS BLATERI
Club Secretary
I started running in high school on the Cross Country and Track & Field teams but after high school, I stepped away from running due to some medical issues. In 2014, I returned to running and ran my first Half Marathon. I joined Team FrontRunner in the summer of 2014 and have been in the group every session since then. I ran my first marathon in 2016 and swore I would never run another one again. I have now completed 8 marathons and I am currently training for my 9th. I have completed all 3 US World Majors and my goal would be to someday complete all 6 and receive my Abbott World Major Star Medal. I am an avid running shoe lover and currently have a wide selection of every brand and model available. I hate “dirty running shoes” and would easily run and extra mile just to avoid mud or dirt. Somedays, I truly believe that I continue to run for my love of running shoes and comfortable running clothes.
PHIL WILHELM
Club Treasurer
I have been a pace leader for Team FrontRunner since 2011 and been running for over thirty years. In that time frame I have completed several hundred races with 61of those events being marathons and six ultra-marathons. I have also completed the Columbus marathon 31 times. As a runner I have competed at every distance from one mile to 50 miles. I have also been a pacer as well as crewed multiple marathons and ultra-marathons.