IMT Des Moines Marathon Running Room Pace Team Half Marathon Bios 1:30 Sean Severe, 32 Des Moines, IA Occupation: Assistant Professor at Drake University First Half Marathon: Eugene Half Marathon, May 2009 Half Marathon Personal Record: 1:17:38 – 2014, IMT Des Moines Half Marathon Number of Half Marathons Completed: 9 in 4 states Half Marathon finish you’re most proud of any why: Goodlife Fitness Victoria, BC Half Marathon in 2012. I forgot to convert mile pace to kilometer pace so ran completely on feel and PR’d by a minute and half. I had so much energy at the end and had so much fun not focusing on pace. Previous Pacing Experience: This will be my second time formally pacing; I paced the 1:30 group at last year’s IMT Des Moines Half Marathon. Interests, hobbies, etc.: I enjoy reading, hiking, scuba diving, puzzles, and spending time with my wife, son, and two dogs. 1:40 Nick Elliott, 36 Des Moines, IA Occupation: Non-Profit (United Way of Central Iowa) First Half Marathon: Drake 2008 Half Marathon Personal Record: 1:26:19 - Dam to Dam 2015 Number of Half Marathons Completed: 9 in 3 states Half Marathon finish you’re most proud of any why: My first, Drake in 2008. This was the year I started running and only anticipated doing the 8K. I was running with my now-wife who was running the half. I just kept going with her and the rest is history. It was a great accomplishment for me and set the pace for the past 8years of running. Previous Pacing Experience: I paced the 1:45 marathon group at last year’s IMT Des Moines Half Marathon and the 3:45 in 2014. 2014 was my first experience pacing and was incredibly fulfilling. It was such a great opportunity to share in the trials and successes of my pace group, trying to get them to the finish. I was so proud of the runners who made it with me, some of whom qualified for Boston 2016! Interests, hobbies, etc: My wife and I currently live in Beaverdale and I’ve been a Des Moines resident my whole life. We have two sons, Joe (2 ½) and Eli (6 months). As a family, we enjoy being outside, visiting family, and hanging out with friends. I enjoy running with Team Name and Capital Striders, cycling and hiking. I’m excited to be a part of the pace team again and look forward to a great race!

IMT Des Moines Marathon | 1001 Grand Avenue | West Des Moines, IA 50265 p 515.288.2692 | f 515.274.1596 | [email protected] | www.desmoinesmarathon.com

IMT Des Moines Marathon Running Room Pace Team Half Marathon Bios 1:45 Brian Palmer, 47 Des Moines, IA Occupation: Building Inspector First Half Marathon: 2001 Drake Relays (1:40:45) Half Marathon Personal Record: 1:29:18, 2008 April Sorenson Memorial Run, Albert Lee, MN Number of Half Marathons Completed: 20 Half Marathon finish you’re most proud of and why: I’m very proud of my first half marathon at Drake in 2001 because I had never raced that distance before and came in with a very good finishing time. I felt like I was in good shape because I was training for my first marathon (Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska in June 2001). The race went well and I felt strong the whole way. I’m also very proud of breaking my PR in 2008 in Albert Lee. I was training hard for the Chicago Marathon and it was a lonely route on county blacktop and gravel roads. But my training paid off and I stayed strong to the finish. Previous Pacing Experience: I have paced either the half or full marathon here in Des Moines for the last 6 years. Since 2009 I’ve had the honor of pacing a lot of great runners which makes this day one I really look forward to each fall! I love helping people stick to a solid pace and keeping them from going out too fast. If you run a smart race and finish strong, you’ll feel much more satisfied with your performance! Running though my hometown of Des Moines I get to see so many people I know and train with which really keeps the group’s energy up. Somehow in 2010, I nailed my goal of 1:40:00 on the nose, oh yeah! Interests, Hobbies, etc.: Spending time with my family-traveling, skiing\snowboarding, mountain biking and trail running. I finished my second trail Ultra this year when I did the Booneville Backroads 50k. It was a hilly sucker!

IMT Des Moines Marathon | 1001 Grand Avenue | West Des Moines, IA 50265 p 515.288.2692 | f 515.274.1596 | [email protected] | www.desmoinesmarathon.com

IMT Des Moines Marathon Running Room Pace Team Half Marathon Bios 1:50 Dana Kramer, 54 Urbandale, IA Occupation: Client Account Consultant with Mercer First Half Marathon: Drake Half Marathon, 1994 Half Marathon Personal Record: 1:22:24. Drake Half Marathon, 1996 Number of Half Marathons Completed: 20 Half Marathon finish you’re most proud of any why: My first one, which was Drake in 1994. It was the inaugural year of the half marathon, it was a snowy day (on April 30) and I was the overall women’s winner. Previous Pacing Experience: I have paced the 1:50 Des Moines Half Marathon group the past two years year and am thrilled to be leading this group again. It is truly rewarding to help other runners cross the finish line or set a new PR. I also try to make the experience as fun as possible. Interests, hobbies, etc.: I’ve run 23 total marathons, 5 of those being Boston, with a marathon PR of 2:53 in Columbus, Ohio in 1995. I started running triathlons 4 years ago and am currently training for my first Ironman race in Wisconsin on September 11. I am also a member of the Capital Striders board and active in all of the Striders activities. I love to dance, ride my bike and spend time with friends and family (I am married with two grown sons, Kyle 28 and Derek 25). 2:00 Jerry Ford, 54 Clinton, IA Occupation: Faculty Support & Development at Ashford University. I also coach High School Cross-Country as well as Track and Field. First Half Marathon: 1979 Davenport Family YMCA Half Marathon Half Marathon Personal Record: 1:16 - Davenport Family YMCA Half Marathon, 1979 Number of Half Marathons Completed: 6 in 3 states Half Marathon finish you’re most proud of any why: I am most proud of my 01:16 half, which was my first and fastest, and an age-graded National Class time. I was doing lots of summer running heading into my senior year in high school cross-country. I had run my first Marathon a month earlier in under 3 hours and qualified for Boston, so cutting back to a Half seemed easy after running the full! Previous Pacing Experience: I paced the 01:55 group at the Quad Cities Marathon last fall. Pacing for others is tons of fun. Being a cross-country and track coach, I also do lots of pace-setting and cadencesetting for my runners. I get lots of enjoyment out of giving back to the sport by helping and encouraging others to run relaxed, stay positive and confident, and achieve their goals. Interests, hobbies, etc.: I enjoy lots of sports and am a competitive person by nature. Running is my favorite hobby and biggest interest. I have a Garmin F630 and am fascinated by all of the available stats. I spend lots of time analyzing the data and using it to see how I can continue to improve performance. I also subscribe to all sorts of running feeds and am always learning something new. My wife and I have been married for 31 years and we have 1 son who is in college and 4 dogs. Let’s go break 2 hours!!!

IMT Des Moines Marathon | 1001 Grand Avenue | West Des Moines, IA 50265 p 515.288.2692 | f 515.274.1596 | [email protected] | www.desmoinesmarathon.com

IMT Des Moines Marathon Running Room Pace Team Half Marathon Bios 2:10 Lisa Rippe, Old enough to complete over 100 marathons and countless half marathons Edina, MN Occupation: Sales First Half Marathon: Probably 1996, the year I ran my first marathon Half Marathon Personal Record: 1:39:54 in 2000 New Bedford, Massachusetts Number of Half Marathons Completed: Over 100 in around 25 states. Half Marathon finish you’re most proud of any why: Completing the Tel Aviv half marathon in extreme heat in a respectable time. The Israeli Health Minister canceled the full marathon but allowed marathon participants compete in the half. Previous Pacing Experience: Pacing marathons and half marathons near the Twin Cities and beyond as much as my schedule allows; I really enjoy “giving back” in this way. Interests, hobbies, etc.: Running is an amazing positive force in my life, so I hope you will enjoy the journey with me. I enjoy and appreciate the many wonderful people I encounter on the running journey. In addition to running marathons, I also participate in triathlons. I completed Ironman Wisconsin in 2010. I am a Road Runners Club of America certified marathon coach and have coached at Lifetime Fitness in the Twin Cities since 2010. I also volunteer to support running events, including pacing half marathons and marathons. I am certified in First Aid and Heartsaver AED by the American Heart Association. 2:20 John Skaar, 47 Cedar Falls, IA Occupation: Iowa State Trooper First Half Marathon: 2006 Siouxland, Sioux City Iowa Half Marathon Personal Record: 1:49 – 2007 Sioux Falls Number of Half Marathons completed: 56 in 17 states Half Marathon finish you’re most proud of and why: I am most proud of was completing the Mainly Marathons, Heartland series, which is 7 half marathons in 7 days in 7 states. It was the most challenging as seeing what I could handle and I met the most interesting and fun people over the week! Previous Pacing Experience: Besides helping family and friends with their races, this will be my 2nd time pacing the 2:30 group for the IMT Des Moines Marathon. Interests, hobbies, etc.: Have numerous interests and hobbies but we will have 13.1 miles to talk about it, so come out and enjoy the race!

IMT Des Moines Marathon | 1001 Grand Avenue | West Des Moines, IA 50265 p 515.288.2692 | f 515.274.1596 | [email protected] | www.desmoinesmarathon.com

IMT Des Moines Marathon Running Room Pace Team Half Marathon Bios 2:30 Natalie Welter, 58 Story City, IA Occupation: Early Childhood Educator, Iowa State lecturer First Half marathon: Drake 2002 Half Marathon Personal Record: 2:07:55, Philadelphia 2008 Number of Half Marathons Completed: More than 30. My favorite distance! Half marathon finish you’re most proud of and why: Pacing for the Des Moines half has been a highlight! I enjoy volunteering my time to support others to achieve their goals. Previous Pacing Experience: This will be my 9th time pacing the 2:30 half for Des Moines. Interests, hobbies, etc.: My favorite pastime is seeking adventures with my four grandchildren, age 1-5. They give me lots of reason to stay active and healthy! I also love bicycling, swimming, hiking, paddling, photography, gardening and enjoying life in the great outdoors.

IMT Des Moines Marathon | 1001 Grand Avenue | West Des Moines, IA 50265 p 515.288.2692 | f 515.274.1596 | [email protected] | www.desmoinesmarathon.com