ALEXIS
I am a masters runner who calls Tacoma home. I was an athlete growing up, but discovered my love for distance running during the pandemic. I’ve ran 6 marathons, and many other shorter distance races. Running has not only given me fitness, but has introduced me to the best community. I love sharing my passion and introducing everyone I can to our amazing community. TCMA races are my favorite because they create an environment of fun and inclusivity for everyone.
Follow Alexis on Instagram: @lexrunslife
ALLISON
I am a 2nd year ambassador who lives in Tacoma, exploring our neighborhood by foot. I ran nine events with TCMA last year, as well as my first marathon! This year I got to share all the awesome offerings TCMA has with my network and run club. A group of friends is already registered for the 2024 Tacoma City half!
Follow Allison on Instagram: @allisonrunsaround
AMANDA H.
My name is Amanda I am a mama of 2 adult daughters, married to my high-school sweetheart for 29 years. My love for running has helped & keeps me balanced with demands of a successful career & resilience & discipline. My favorite distance is the 26.2 distance. My passion is coming together with our running community, encouraging others you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. I have ran 5 majors with Tokyo left to complete & 37 states & I plan to complete all 50 at 50.
Follow Amanda H. on Instagram: @amandaruns26
AMANDA M.
I starting running around 10 years ago and have since ran nearly 300 races of all distances. I’m not fast but I have so much fun. I like to show how running doesn’t have to be serious and can be fun. I’m known for and love wearing silly outfits and costumes while running. TCMA events are my favorite local events! The themes are fun, the community is fantastic, and it makes it easy to want to promote the events. I’ve been an ambassador since the program began and have absolutely loved it!
Follow Amanda M. on Instagram: @traje_corredor
ANDREA
I am Andrea and I’m a runner from Milton. I started running as part of a C25K program to get in shape to keep up with my kids. After a few fun runs I wanted to challenge myself and decided to train for a half marathon, completing my first half in 2017 at the TCMA St Paddy’s half marathon. As soon as I finished, I was hooked! I have completed marathons and halfs, earning my Double Agent. I love sharing runs and races across social media and at run club and love to get people out to race events!
Follow Andrea on Instagram: @aceason
ANGELA J.
I started running at 55 and am now 65. I started reluctantly with my cousins doing 5Ks and found out it was healthy for my bones. We quickly trained to do a half marathon, 26.2 and then 50k. I’ve shared my journey and it has inspired others. I run Tacoma races and completing a half in 50 states. I’m part of several running groups and share about how fun it is to run with TCMA. I’ve enjoyed being an ambassador and as I heal, hoping to run half’s/fulls in 2024.
Follow Angela J. on Instagram: @skygoddess7
ANGELA R.
I discovered running in the late 90s when I needed a PE credit at SPU. I ended up in a running class taught by Doris Heritage. Since then, running has been a constant in my life. I’ve raced every distance up to the full marathon, and many TCMA events. I now have two kids who are both varsity XC/track runners for Stadium. I’m also a certified USATF Level 2 coach (Youth Specialization) and have volunteered with FWTC under Darryl Genest.
Follow Angela R. on Instagram: @nw.runner.girl
BEKA
Hi! I wear lots of hats but my favorite is RUNNER! I am in it for the weekly miles, the chats with friends and the challenge of pushing myself. As a coach I get people to their first 5k or half marathon and get to see the transformation from “just being active” to athlete. Being a part of our local race scene is so much fun and has opened up opportunities to engage with so many more runners in the community. I can’t wait to keep ringing my cowbells for Tacoma runners!
Sigue a Bekah en Instagram: @bekahmaego
BRIGETTE
I am starting my 4th year running, have 5 kids ages 5-14, live in the Edgewood area and have done 5K to 26.2 races mostly all with TCMA. Training for the Tacoma City Marathon has already began. As a TCMA ambassador in 2023, I’ve had the incredible experience of meeting new lifelong running friends and have loved being part of this wonderful running community. I am looking forward to another year of motivating others and promoting the joy of running in Tacoma!
Follow Brigette on Instagram: @running_momof5
CANDIS
I’m Candis & 3rd year TCMA ambassador! TCMA races are MAGIC. People earn PRs, find their identities as runners, & meet amazing friends. I did, so I want other runners to experience the same. I want to spend the next year engaging people to check out TCMA! I’ll even bring out the taco costume!
Sigue a Candis en Instagram: @run.with.candis
CHRISSI
I love running in East Tacoma! I’m lucky to have so many race options that don’t require travel. Tacoma City Marathon holds a special place in my heart because it was my first back to back! I also ran it when the Ultra was offered and it was my first 50k! I have earned Crown of the Sound several times. I’m always training for something and love to inspire friends and family. I joke that you know your my friend when we’ve run together and your in my inner circle when we’ve raced together.
Follow Chrissi on Instagram: @run.tri.kitty
DANIELLE
I love TCMA races & their squad! Look forward to adding more races to my repertoire! I became a Marathon Maniac this year with my PB at Tac City Marathon! I want to keep running halves & fulls and also want to do the 50k this year at Defiance ! 🙂 I look forward to sharing my fave race company on all my social media & keep getting friends & fam to join!
Follow Danielle on Instagram: @elliemayhem
HYEMI
I’m Hyemi Kim, a piano teacher in the Tacoma area. I ran on/off in the last 4 years, but got consistent one year ago. I ran 3-4x a week in 2023 and fell in love with it! It was hard to run 2 miles non-stop a year ago, now I can run 6-miles without stopping! I’ve also signed up for Tacoma Half Marathon in April 2024 to continue to push myself. I love sharing my running journey on my IG and FB stories, mostly running through Ruston, Point Defiance, and Chambers.
Follow Hyemi on Instagram: @hyemikim253
JAMIE
I’ve been a TCMA ambassador since the program started. I live in Tacoma and like promoting and running local races. I’m a full time single mom of two teenage boys. I work full time as a pediatric nurse. I also love to run. I just completed my 51st marathon and 7th of the year.
Sigue a Jaime en Instagram: @nurserunner
JUSTIN
I love TCMA races and the community that surrounds them. So many familiar faces that just continue to grow from acquaintances to solid friends as time goes on. I’m based in the auburn/federal way area, but there’s a growing running joke that I’m gone about as much as I am home. I’ve done most of the 2023 TCMA races (though I can still claim the badge of (dis)honor that I’ve never run a trail run). I’ll look forward to seeing you there!
Follow Justin on Instagram: @run.dive.jwr
KATIE
I’m Katie: a wife, an avid runner, a teacher, AND a new mom! I live in Tacoma and run all over the city, Ruston being a favorite spot. I’m aiming to complete all 6 World Majors (3 down, 3 to go!, with my 4th coming up: Tokyo 3/3/24), AND I’m 11 states in for 50 states 50 marathons. I’m passionate about health and fitness and being present.
Follow Katie on Instagram: @kohollarun
KIMBERLY
Hi! I’m 30, a speech therapist, and I “accidentally” fell in love with running recently! I ran my first race in 2022 and then trained for the St. Paddy’s Half Marathon in 2023. Since that race, I have talked my friends into joining as many TCMA races as I could. I am obsessed with running all around Tacoma and I’m running my first marathon this upcoming year (Tacoma City). I never imagined that I could be a runner and so I believe if I can do it – anyone can!
Follow Kimberly on Instagram: @kimberlyann49
KRISTINA
I am a 39 year old mom who lives in the Tehaleh neighbhorhood of Bonney Lake, WA, and am currently on a quest to hit 40 lifetime marathons by my 40th birthday! I have run all 6 world marathon majors, recently completed the Seattle Quadzilla (and won!) and my claim to local fame is that I qualified for Boston at the 2021 Mud Mountain Dam Marathon. I look forward to sharing my excitement for local events in a variety of distances.
Follow Kristina on Instagram: @krissymmurphy
LAWRENCE
I started running in 2015 as my 60th birthday approached. I could barely run for ten seconds and wanted to use this year to do something that! In 2019 I completed every TCMA event! I run mostly in Tacoma. At 68 I am still running and feel my accomplishments as a senior encourage others my age to get out there!
Follow Lawrence on Instagram: @hudsonsbayman
PERSEPHONE
I love staying active whether it be running or working out at the gym! I’ve done multiple TCMA races and am always coming back for more. I want to help motivate and inspire people to get out and run and meet new people.
Follow Persephone on Instagram: @persephone90
RICARDO
I am an energetic Navy veteran who loves to walk/jog/run whenever I can, mainly in Bremerton and Tacoma areas. I want to encourage people to get up, lace up and go. The running/walking community is awesome and I love being a part of it. It’s time to get the word out!!!
Sigue a Ricardo en Instagram: @sp0tt3d_runner
SARAH
Hello, I am a 40+ year old mom of 2 girls and 2 dogs. I started to run in 2022 when I joined a local running group Ignite. I was looking to be more active and found a new passion that has grown into a love for running. It has been a difficult journey but one I am proud of. I went from hardly able to finish a 5K to now half marathons. I run in Tacoma and will be running my 6th TCMA race in December. I share my journey on Instagram and hope to inspire others to be active and participate in races.
Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahsrunjourney
TIFFANI
My name is Tiffani Jones I started running in 2001 in the Army. My running groups are Black Girls Run, PNW Ladies and volunteer with Girls On The Run. I hope to bring representation and the ambassadorship accomplishment into the space of young female runners. I run in Puyallup and Tacoma. The ambassador program is my biggest running accomplishments (and Half Fanatics).
Sigue a Tiffani en Instagram: @acurlylife
VOLUNTAD
I’m an aging athlete staying competitive through running and raising money for Alzheimer’s and St. Jude’s. I have a goal of running a half marathon in all 50 states, this year I will be adding Oregon, California and Idaho. You will see me running in UP and down by Chambers Bay. I’m planning on encouraging more Seattlelites to come down to Tacoma and run with me. My 13-year-old son occasionally runs a 5k with me, this used to makes me very happy but now he can beat me!
Sigue a Will en Instagram: @wseay253