Race Ambassadors
We’re thrilled to bring back our Race Ambassador program for 2022 and welcome strong, fun, creative, and fast women to our event.
Katonya Burke
I have been running since the day I learned to walk, and began long-distance running at age 40. I’m one of Boston’s co-ambassadors for Black Girls RUN! (BGR!). BGR! meets women where they are and supports prioritizing healthy ways of achieving where they want to be. I was thrilled to be the first selected for the 2020 Boston Marathon Honorary Team, which was my first Marathon. I’m always ready to help support veteran runners and those new to their running journey. To date, I’ve completed three (Chicago, New York, Boston) in-person marathons of the six majors, which is my long-term goal. I was honored to receive the 2022 Myra Kraft MVP award, which recognizes volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities. Alongside my passion for running, I can be found behind the wheel of my “BIG RIG.” Yes, I drive a 53′ tractor and trailer with FedEx for over 50 hours a week.
Tiffany Chenault
I’m a sociology professor and publicly involved scholar specializing in the intersections of race, gender, and community. I’m passionate about social change and social justice, and I serve as one of the co-ambassadors for Black Girls Run! Boston chapter which focuses on encouraging black women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. I wasn’t a runner (and knew nothing about running or race culture) until my first race in 2013, which I discovered as a way to cope with the grief from the loss of my mother. This started my journey of health and questioning the lack of diversity in this space. I have written articles, blogged, and given a TED Talk, Through the Lens of a Black Woman Runner, about running.
Hannah Conley
Hello! I am Hannah Mecaskey Conley, long-time distance runner of almost 20 years at this point—and my favorite distance is a 20 miler! I’ve run six marathons, countless half marathons, and I am regular runner of the Martha’s Vineyard 20 miler (a February run, I love cold weather running). I have two kiddos, three months and 20 months old, and during both of my pregnancies I completed a marathon. I am currently rehabbing my running career, though I am a public health professional and social worker in my work life! I have two cats as well, and love home improvement projects, cooking, and French-style baking.
Adina Crawford
I am certified Yoga Teacher who specializes in teaching Meditation and Mindfulness. I am a mentor, motivator, advocate, and community influencer. My calling to teach yoga has been about diversity and community, understanding that each person is unique and at a different level and growth. I have collaborated and taught at various companies such as Lululemon, Athleta, Oiselle, and many other local and community events. Currently, I am an Ambassador for Trek Bicycles, Black Girls Run, Terry Bikes, Honeystinger and Nuun, Emcee for Girls on the Run DC and REI Co-op Partner. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Black Girls Run Foundation. In 2016 I completed my first Marathon in Chicago and the Boston virtual Marathon in Boston in October 2021, since then I have completed numerous half-marathons, triathlons, and cycling events. My goal is to bring more diversity and awareness to the mat and spread the love of all the benefits of yoga coupled with other activities is beneficial.
Cara Gilman
I’m a yoga teacher, run coach, and mom. I’ve been teaching yoga for more than 10 years, having the honor of leading classes at the Boston 10K for Women, Boston Marathon Expo, Runners World, and at the top yoga studios in Boston. I am the founder of RUNYOGA, a running program and community that brings the practices of running and yoga together. As mother of two children, motherhood continues to teach me that running and yoga are how she authentically connects to my best self.
Lizzy Hewitt
Never having run more than a mile in my entire life, I first began running in January 2020. I moved to Massachusetts later that year and started a Rum Club—wait, no, RUN Club—with friends. In the summer of 2021, I found the REI Run Club and ran the Boston 10K for Women in October—my first race! I teach music at a Cambridge Public School and love to build community around music and wellness. I am proud to represent runners who started later in life, and am excited to welcome runners of all ages and abilities!
Sarah Hill
Hi, I’m Sarah! I’m 31, my favorite color is orange, and I live in Somerville with my partner and two dogs. The 2021 10K was my first race and I haven’t stopped running since! I try to make exercise a priority in my life, but I have a full-time job as an Audiologist, and tons of hobbies and responsibilities. So, I get out to run when I have time. I have come to really enjoy running and love to meet new people and find new group runs to push me forward and keep me motivated! Come on a run with me!
Renee Laurencelle
Nurse by day and runner by night! Running has always been the most joyful part of my day. I love trail running and getting to explore outside, meet new people, and feel accomplished after completing something that may have seemed too challenging. Running has always been there for me like a best friend… for good days, bad days, long talks, and celebrations. For these reasons I love to show other women that they can feel the same way too! They can feel empowered and learn that if they can overcome challenges out on their runs that will translate into life!
Abeo Powder
I am from Chelsea, MA, and am an elementary school educator and who loves the community of students and families that I work with. I am a three-time marathoner and 17-time half marathoner. It is easy to say that the half marathon is my favorite distance! In addition to being the Creative Director of The Bra Run and a running coach at Heartbreak Hill Running Company, I am a Co-Founder of TrailblazHers Run Co. TrailblazHers Run Co. was created in response to the need of a diverse, welcoming, and supportive environment tailored to women, especially women of color/minority women, and motivate them wherever they may be in their running journey.
Alia Qatarneh
As a non-white, female athlete and community builder, I aim to challenge what it means to be a runner. I have run six half marathons and as a native Bostonian, will one day run Boston. I recently joined the leadership team of TrailBlazHERs Run Co., an all-female run crew focused on creating space for women, especially BIPOC women, of Boston and beyond. As a LeadHER, I support the scale and impact of the TrailblazHERs’ mission: to empower women to celebrate all bodies, and every body. Outside of running, I am a molecular biologist and a recent graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Frances Ramirez
Born and raised in Boston, MA, I am now a stylist in luxury retail. Previously I have run the New York and Chicago Marathons, and now have hopes to complete all Majors. I am the Co-Founder/Co-Organizer of The Bra Run and TrailblazHers Run Co. as well as the in-house photographer. TrailblazHers Run Co. was created in response to the need of a diverse, welcoming, and supportive environment tailored to women, especially women of color/minority women, and motivate them wherever they may be in their running journey. I am also one of the Captains of Pioneers Run Crew, a co-ed run crew based in Boston. Like TrailblazHers, they aim to create safe and inclusive spaces for BIPOC runners.
Liz Rock
By day I am an Application Analyst working for a large healthcare corporation in Boston. I am an avid cyclist and runner. Having done numerous races, I am currently chasing the World Marathon Majors. I have four marathons including the Boston, NYC, Chicago, and London marathons under my belt, and have Berlin and Tokyo left in order to complete the big six. I am the Co-Founder/Co-Organizer of The Bra Run and TrailblazHers Run Co. TrailblazHers Run Co. was created in response to the need of a diverse, welcoming, and supportive environment tailored to women, especially women of color/minority women, and motivate them wherever they may be in their running journey. I have also been featured in numerous online publications such as the Boston Globe, Runners World, and Women’s Health Magazine to name a few.
Marly Grace Rogers
I am from Houston, TX and am attending college at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. I have always had a love for sports and running but it was not until 2020 when I started to reignite my passion to run more. In 2021, I started running more consistently and competitively, running 5Ks and 10Ks and now I have run four half-marathons, with hopes of running a marathon in 2023. Running has been a place of learning about holistic health, personally and communally. I have started accountability groups for young women to jump-start their holistic fitness journey and have dreams to one day coach.
Mariell Sabado
Hey there! I’m Mariell and I’m a California native making her way on the East Coast as a graduate student. I started long-distance running in 2019 after retiring from collegiate lacrosse and rowing and have since run two marathons (Los Angeles and Chicago) as well as a handful of half marathons. I have run with adidas Runners, Here We Run (HER), and various other run clubs across the country. I believe it is important to create a community that is inclusive, recognizes diversity, celebrates individuality, and creates a culture that welcomes runners no matter what walk of life they come from. I hope to give my energy back to the community, and would love to help lift up women in the sports world through running. Don’t be afraid to say hello, I’m soooo excited to run with you!