THE STAFF

LORI DUNN - Program Coach for our 2009 Fitness Program

Mother, Nursing student, ACE-certified Athletic Personal Trainer
I am a 46-year-old raising five sons. I'm pursuing my RN and have been accepted into the LPN program at College of DuPage while working at the Loyola Center for Health in Elmhurst.

I aspire to competition from running, biking and to all distances of the triathlon! In life, there is no challenge too big except when you forget to show up or TRAIN equally your body, mind and spirit. Daily struggles only empower us to tackle the unthinkable, move the immovable and achieve the unobtainable.

My athletic pursuit and thoughts as a trainer are to follow just a few simple daily rules. Be consistant, empower a partner to join you, and never say you can't complete the challange! These thoughts will only help you be a better person on the inside and out.

KELLY MARZANO
Kelly Marzano has been running for over 20 years. She grew up in Colorado before she transplanted to Illinois and began to focus on endurance events. After a few seasons of long distance triathlons, running is once again a main focus for her. Kelly is excited to be a part of the running community in Elmhurst and to work with runners of all levels at the store.

ANGELA PHILLIPS - MANAGER
I am from Sandwich IL, and I am an 06' Graduate of Elmhurst College. I majored in Art, specifically Photography, and minored in Sociology. I ran all four years on the Cross Country and Track teams in both high school and college. I also competed in Basketball for many years. I have run in 2 marathons and 8 half marathons since graduating college, and I hope to compete in many more. I ran my first 5k when I was nice years old, and I have been running ever since. Running is one of my biggest passions in life. I have been working at the store for three years, and managing for 2 of those years.

back to top

BOB RICHARDS
Bob Richards has one goal -- provide unmatched attention and service to each and every customer he works with. "I try to treat customers the way I would expect to be treated, and then some," Bob says. "Runners are special people and they deserve special care."

After a sports journalism career that included stints with Pioneer Press and the Milwaukee Sentinel before a long run with the Chicago Sun-Times, Bob switched gears in 2008 and joined the Dick Pond - Elmhurst team. He brought more than four decades of running knowledge and personal experience to share with visitors to the store. Covering the local running scene for the Sun-Times earned him two CARA Hal Higdon Journalism Awards and countless friendships. Bob has interviewed everyone from Khalid Khannouchi and Deena Kastor to the back-of-the-pack runners at local races. "Everyone is important and has a story to tell," says Richards, who also is a former editor of Chicago Athlete magazine and writes a running blog at <http//:www.chicagoruntimes.blogspot.com>.

Bob is a member of the Elmhurst Running Club and tries to be competitive in his age group on the CARA Circuit (now the Runners' Choice Series). He also is co-director of the Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th race, recently named one of three CARA Best Races of the Year for 2008 and has been named to the 2009 Runners' Choice Series.

Bob grew up in north suburban Northbrook, graduated from Glenbrook North High School and Southern Illinois University (IB.S. Journalism). He is a veteran of the U.S. Army (drafted) and currently resides with his wife Nancy in Villa Park.

COLLEEN RIES
My name is Colleen Ries. I was a sprinter for 8-10 years throughout high school and part of my college career. At the height of 5'3" I was a long jumper and hurdler (100, 400 and shuttle hurdle relay). As a result of a double stress fracture in my college career I was no longer able to sprint competitively, although I would give anything to go back and do it all over again! So my destiny came as a distance runner, although at the time 2-3 miles was like 'are you kidding me?' I have run a number of 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons and continue to see progression with my running. However, you will see I am not a fast runner, but more just trying to "beat my time every time." I have been working in the running specialty industry for about 1 1/2 years and have worked at The Runner's Soul for almost a year. I love working with runners as I wish I had someone that worked with me either when I was a sprinter or when I was struggling to move to distance running. I love to coach runners whether they're sprinters, distance runners or individuals just wanting to reach a goal (5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, etc.). Of course, my passion still remains as a sprinter and hurdler, so if you're looking for sprinter/hurdler coach come find me at The Runner's Soul.

WILL SIEMERS
Will Siemers was an All-State track runner from Fenton High School in Bensenville, Illinois. He received All-American honors in cross country at Rend Lake College; and helped lead the team to a National Championship. Four years on full-scholarship at the University of Southern Indiana. Two time GLVC All-Conference in cross country. NCAA II provisional qualifier in both the 5k (14:40) and 10k (31:18) in outdoor track at USI. He ran the Chicago marathon in a time of 2:42 qualifying him for Boston. Will has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Will comes from a very talented family, oldest brother Art is a 3:59 miler and a 2:18 marathoner and also is the head Cross Country and track coach at the Colorado School of Mines. Brother Chris qualified for the USA Olympic marathon trials in a time of 2:21 and was a three time NCAA II All-American and help lead his team to two National Championships at Western State of Colorado.

JULIE TRAVERS
Julie Travers started running at age 18 with her Dad, just for fun. She has now been running for 30 years...you do the math! She loves all distances but the Half Marathon is her favorite. She has completed 4 Marathons including one Boston. She also enjoys Sprint Triathlons. Julie is a mom of 3 and happily married to Chris for 20 years. Julie has a B.S. in Marketing from Illinois State where she also minored in French, International Business and Economics. She has been working at The Runner's Soul for 4 years and loves it. She loves Marketing for the store, helping customers and most of all being involved in the many training programs the store has had. There is no better feeling in the world than helping someone achieve a goal!

back to top