Meet the Pacers

Full Marathon Pacers

3:00

John Zhou

John quit smoking and decided to improve his health by running marathons back in 2007. Over the years, he has run more than 50 marathons with a personal best of 2:50. To him, running is meditation that reminds us each day is precious and needs to be fully enjoyed with all beings. As a pacer, he hopes to help other runners to achieve their racing goals as well as find enlightenment of life through distance running.

Tom Bourdi

From Orange County California. Started running in 2016, mostly half marathons and shorter distances. Quickly, fell in love with the sport and moved on to Full marathons in 2018, running all local Beach Cities marathons. Some of my recent marathons include Berlin, Boston and NYC marathons. So Excited to join the pacing team of M2B marathon.

3:05

Benjamin Madrigal

I love to run and have been competing since middle school and at 34 I know their is still opportunities to improve. I have had the opportunity to pace many half and full marathons and love the opportunity to give back to running community. CIM was my most recent race with a time of 2:33 and hope to keep improving this year. I live with type 1 diabetes and use running to show people what’s possible while controlling blood glucose.

3:10

Li Yi

Bio Coming Soon….

3:15

Shan Gao

You and I are different. You and I are the same. We are all on the way RUNNING! I’m Shan, a runner in San Diego since 2016. I completed the Boston Marathon and other races during these years, and ran some trail marathons and ultramarathons. Running is meditation for me. It helps me find inner peace, and I am so happy and honored to be here. Let’s run 2022 M2B together!

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3:25

David Fu

David took up running at the age of 52. He completed his first full marathon, the 2019 California International Marathon, under 3 hours. David is also passionate about running methodology, and scientific training methods. He organized and now leads a group of runners, helping them to establish achievable goals, build up running routines and practices. Besides running, David also likes hiking. He has climbed Yosemite Half Doom, the Mt. Whitney, and the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim challenges.

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Levine Ching

Levine Ching, 26, living in Santa Monica, CA. Been running/training for marathons for last 2 years and ran cross country back in high school. Recent races LA Marathon and Ventura Marathon. I run and train with New Basin Blues in the San Fernando Valley. Have wanted to start pacing cause I enjoy helping others meet their running goals and seeing them enjoy the sport. Super excited to be able to do it with my training buddy Chris Hartley and all of you!

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3:30

Bing Wang

Bio Coming Soon…

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3:35

Kairong Qian

Bio Coming Soon…

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Scott Kunz

Scott Kunz has been running marathons for 20 years. He and his wife Rachele have run a combined total of over 200 marathons and ultras. Scott completed the “Calendar Slam” of Mt. Whitney by climbing to the summit every month of 2021. Scott is a 10 time finisher of the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run, and has run marathons in 24 states. Forget the gadgets and gizmos, his secret to longevity is 15 minutes in an ice bath the day of and day after a long race. An ideal weekend for Scott includes running a marathon in the morning, then spending time with his wife and five kids, and chowing down on Fresh Mex! Always anxious to pace a marathon, Scott looks forward to exchanging stories with you along the course!

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3:40

Weisong Yao

Bio Coming Soon…

Grant Barnett

Grant ran Mountains 2 Beach in 2014 as his first full marathon, and this race holds a special place in his heart. With nearly 80 marathons now under his bottle belt along with around a dozen 100-milers, he enjoys coming back to Ojai every year since 2016 to pace this race and help you reach your goal.

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3:45

Ann-Marie Frisch

Bio Coming Soon…

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Carlo Verdugo

I’ve been running just over 11 years and have completed several ultra, full and half marathons as well as Ironman’s. Moved to Southern California about two years ago from Northern California where I’ve run 7 CIM’s, Santa Rosa, 2 Modesto’s and San Francisco marathons.

3:55

Henry Chen

Henry has always been involved with sports as a child. He started
hiking around 2011 and has been to most if not all the peaks around Los Angeles. Henry picked up running in 2019 and fell in love with it. To date, he has finished several marathons; including Los Angeles and Long Beach has ventured into ultra distances of 50K and 100K. He hopes to be racing 100 milers soon! His famous quote is “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.”

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Wang Wen

Bio Coming Soon…

4:00

 Michelle R Krok

Michelle has been running since the age of 12. Over 4 decades later, she continues to run. Originally starting as a sprinter, she found her niche. In a surprise turn of events, when she was in her late teens, she was invited by a friend (who ran cross-country) to join their team training one afternoon. She tried it! She didn’t immediately fall in love – in fact, she thought anyone that ran beyond a 5k must be nuts. Now, many years later, she is part of that crazy world. Her first ½ marathon was at the age of 24, and her first FULL at 40, but with countless smaller races and miles in between. Slowly, she learned to overcome the strenuousness of the full marathon distance, embracing the length of the race on a monthly basis. She enjoys competing in back to back races and attributes her quick rate of recovery to a dedicated cross-training program (in the area of cycling, body-weighted exercises, and strength training). A mother and grandmother, Michelle is has faced many physical and spiritual challenges in life, the greatest of which was her diagnosis with Graves’ disease in 2001. As an avid promoter of homeopathic methods to combat many of the diseases related to the immune system, Michelle has been med-free for 21 years, all of it resulting from a disciplined eating plan and regimented exercise. She attributes her spiritual victories to her Christian faith, and uses her running (and abilities) to encourage, inspire and show compassion to those that are facing equally emotional and spiritually challenging defeats in their own life. First Aid/CPR and personal training certified, she also enjoys coaching people of all levels. After several attempts at qualifying for Boston, she achieved this feat in November of 2014. And, since then, has qualified (and helped qualify others) every year thereafter. Having completed over 100+ marathons (pacing since 2017 and guiding – blind and visually impaired runners since 2018) to date and about the same in half marathons (and other distances – 5k/10k/15k/10-milers), she enjoys running on varying terrains (road, trails, asphalt, snow, etc).

Melissa Kovach

My name is Melissa and I am pacing the 4:00 group. In 2019, M2B was my first marathon and inspired me to BQ. I am now running the Boston marathon this year. Mountains 2 Beaches motivated me to reach my Boston marathon qualifying time. I have paced many races in the Dallas area and look forward to running with you to the finish line!

4:10

Jianfeng Hong

I have been running for about 10 years. I am a member of Chicago Chinese Chi running group and Busse Woods Running Club member. about 10 full marathons and 12 half marathons including 4 Chicago marathons, two Boston marathons and one CIM. My PR for marathon is 3 hours 31 minutes and for half marathon is 1 hours 38 min. I have been pacing for local race for 15K Hot Chocolate race and half marathons. I love to pace to help runners to reach their goal. I am looking forward to pace at the upcoming M2B marathon.

Shihua Feng

Shihua started casually running in 2015 when he moved to the Bay Area California. His goal was to complete a full marathon in his life . Then he joined and trained with a local running group. After Shihua completed his first full marathon in 2018 he chose another big goal which was to qualify for Boston. In 2019 at the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon, he qualified. Shihua’s personal for the marathon distance is 3:02:30. When not running, he also likes swimming and hiking. He completed the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim challenge in May, 2021.

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4:25

Mari Iwasaki

Mari had never been a runner until she started a 2-miles-everyday run/walk challenge hoping to reduce her back pain from sitting all day under lockdown in 2020.
She became healthier than ever before, completed three marathons in the past six months, and found a new goal to become a pacer. Mari enjoys running with others and looking forward to helping you achieve your goals!

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Sonia Abuja

I am the COO of a commercial Insurance company residing in Thousand Oaks. I am an long distance runner and have run over 25 full marathons, at least 10 ultra-marathons. My PR is 3.35. I ran Boston marathon 2 years ago and a 100 mile marathon in 2019 (my longest distance). I run 26.2 miles distance once a month.

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4:40

Rebecca Hernandez

My running journey started over 20 years ago and mainly to achieve a weight loss goal. Fast forward to today, I’ve continued running for health and wellness and to stay connected with the amazing people I’ve met along the way. I’ve completed over 40 marathons and have had the privilege of being a Mountains 2 Beach marathon pacer in 2017 and 2018. I really enjoy pacing as it gives me an opportunity to pay it forward and help others achieve their race day goals.

Bertrand Newson

One of my biggest sources of inspiration and motivation is my younger brother Bernardo who underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2007. We’ve shared some of our proudest moments as siblings participating side by side in fitness events and crossing finish lines in 5K’s, 10K’s, half marathons and challenging obstacle course events such as Spartan and Tough Mudder’s! I love the Bay Area and will continue to encourage others to embrace a healthier active lifestyle and having a social impact on the local community for those less fortunate. I’ve completed 60+ marathons and 300+ timed running events. I lead group track based speed workouts along with middle and long distance training runs. Many of my athletes have gone on to achieve PR’s at all distances (5K – marathon). *What keeps you running? The undeniable therapeutic payback and pure joy that running gives you. I’ve been very fortunate over the years since I’ve started running to meet some of my closest friends. The running community is rich in fitness fellowship and incredibly supportive. I’ll continue try to and outrun father time while always respecting every race course/distance and staying humble in the process. *What motivates you to pace? Having the unique opportunity to “pay it forward” and share running wisdom/experience with fellow runners seeking new running distance milestones/PR’s.

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4:55

Mary Ellen Thompson

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had many unique work/life experiences, as a singer for cruise ships and Disney California, a DJ at Disney Springs Florida, “friends with” Mickey Mouse at Disney Paris, a choreographer/presenter for Zumba Fitness in Europe and the US, and a runner of 25 marathons, including 2 Bostons. But without a doubt, one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever known has been the opportunity to be a pacer. It was 100% thanks to a pacer that I qualified for Boston for the first time in 2006, which was a huge dream come true, one of my proudest accomplishments and happiest days of my life, so I truly know first hand how beneficial the help of a pacer can be. It will be an absolute honor to help other runners achieve their race goals and realize their own unique dreams. This will be my 8th time pacing.

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Half Marathon Pacers

1:30

Victor Hertado

My name is Victor Hurtado and I have been running for close to 10 years. I really enjoy longer distances as opposed to the shorter races. I have paced so many races all over California the last 10 years and I really enjoy helping other runners hit their goal. Mountains to the Beach is a great course and I can’t wait to pace it this year. Follow me to a 1:30 half. Instagram @running_victor

Steven Youngblood

I’ve been running for 15 years now and am excited to pace my very first half marathon. I grew up in Ventura before moving northward to Santa Maria. I have a huge passion for the sport and can’t wait to help you run a 1:30 half marathon. Mountains 2 Beach is such a great course for a PR! Hope to see you there! @steven_youngblood

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1:40

Mike Bertram

Mike is a distance runner who began his “racing career” in February 2010. Since then he has run 31 marathons (including 3 Boston Marathons) and 100 half marathons. He enjoys pacing as a means of giving back to the running community that has changed his life in many ways, and particularly enjoys helping others reach their racing goals.

Jian Zhang

Jian started running full marathons in 2019 after he had run half marathons for a few years. He achieved sub-3 and ranked the 4th place in M50 AG in his debut 2020 Napa Valley Marathon. He has been maintaining the sub-3 level in the marathon races since that. His current PR is 2:58:41. Being a busy engineer in a tech company, running is Jian’s primary pastime. Jian’s running style is stable and even paced. He enjoys running alone as well as running with, and pacing friends. Jian looks to help runners and make new friends in his role as a pacer.

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1:50

Andy Rodemich

I have been a runner my whole life but didn’t really start becoming serious till my late 30s. Since then with the help of a coach and a great running group I was able to go from a 3:57 marathon down to a 2:53. I have found that I feel at peace when I run. Whether it be a short 6 mile jog up to a 50 mile ultra I still feel the same sense of serenity. My running has given me everything from breaking the tape in a marathon to being a trail guide with switchback running vacations and thousands of miles along the way.

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2:00

Joe Buccino

Hi I’m Joe Buccino. I’ve been running with the Inside Track Running Club for over 7 years, and have run the Mountains 2 Beach half marathons or marathon every year since it began as Ojai to Ocean. I’m a pacer for the M2B Half, it’s my third year pacing this half marathon. I’ve also paced a number of half marathons and marathons around the country for a pacing company. Pacing is something I find rewarding as well as an opportunity to enjoy the sport of running with both new and seasoned runners.

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2:10

Gabe Wu

Gabe was a college sprinter turned triathlete turned distance runner. After being introduced to triathlons he slowly learned to enjoy 5ks and worked his way up to half ironman distance triathlons. He has been a pacer since 2011 up and down the coast of California. He thinks that helping other racers achieve their goals whether it is their first race or trying to PR is very rewarding and satisfying. Until then he would love to get his fast twitch muscles firing again training in sunny Santa Barbara. Gabe has been a pacer for the Mountains to Beach event since 2015 and excited to make this a fun event for all the racers this year by telling really cheesy jokes.

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2:20

Bear Caudillo

Bear is all about the PR. If PR means “Party Run”. Whether he is singing or dancing on the course, Bear loves to encourage others around him. Bear used to weigh over 300 pounds but through running, he was able to shed 100 pounds! He has been running now for 8 years and has done Marathons, Half marathons and OCRs. Bear’s motto is “Running is just dancing forward”. Put your dancing shoes on if you plan on running with Bear.

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2:30

Paul Newberry

I first started to run in 2005, because I wanted to compete in a triathlon. I joined the local Santa Clarita running group and over time started to get faster and developed the endurance to eventually complete a marathon. I have paced the 2:30 half marathon group at Santa Clarita for the last 5 years I run a steady pace, walk through the aid stations and plan to come in with gun time of 2:29. My half marathon PR is 1:59 at Santa Clarita My favorite endurance events, besides running half marathons are triathlons. I have completed 7 marathons , 15 Malibu triathlons , the Santa Barbara Long Course and a number of Olympic Distance triathlons. One of my favorite adventures was to cross the Grand Canyon from Rim to Rim in one day. I love running in the cool and mild California winters when I can get long training runs and love to take part in the California International Marathon and Los Angeles Marathon. I really enjoy meeting other runners and help the group that runs with me achieve their goals for the event.