FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Julie Armstrong, Marketing Communications Director
831-625-6226 / Julie@bsim.org
Runner Stories
A sampling of runner stories for the 2014 Big Sur Marathon and other distance events. Media may
contact Julie Armstrong, julie@bsim.org, to obtain contact information, photos and original submissions
for these entries.
21-Miler Grizzled Vets
“Grizzled Vets,” a term coined for runners who have finished all 29 marathons, now have a sister group
in the 21-Miler event. In this 20th year celebration of the 21-Miler, three special women are again
gathering to take on the 21-Mile challenge. Two members of the extended Rice family – Pinkie Rice
(Long Beach, CA) and niece Claudia McCord (Pacific Grove), will be participating for the 20th time in this
third-longest running BSIM event (the 5K was begun in 1989). Chris Banks, a retired school principal
from Salinas, is also returning for her 20th 21-Miler. Twenty-three members of the extended Rice family,
which now includes Banks (as well as BSIM’s the oldest participant, Ray Rice at 89) will gather at
Claudia’s Pacific Grove home for the annual pre-race dinner.
Claudia McCord, 60. Bib#5352
Pacific Grove, CA
Pinkie Rice, 77, Bib #5353
Long Beach, CA
Chris Banks, 61, Bib#5561
Salinas, CA
A New Found Freedom
Sanaz Tofighrad grew up in post-revolution Iran under the current Islamic regime. As a female, she
faced many limitations including being forced to wear the hijab (covering) and limited access to sports
venues and activities. While one of her favorite sports had always been running, it was unthinkable for a
female to run around in the streets of Iran without being subject to constant harassment by men and
women alike, even with “proper” Islamic dress code. For several years during middle and high school
she ran dressed as a boy (see photo) as there was always the danger of running into the “morality
police,” who will arrest women for violating the dress code. She says, “One of the things I daydreamed
about was running freely along the beach wearing whatever I wanted: shorts, a tank top or a t-shirt.”
Today she considers herself lucky to live along “one of the most beautiful coasts in the world” in
Monterey Bay and will be running her second Big Sur Marathon.
Sanaz Tofighrad, 33, Bib#2359 – Marathon
Pacific Grove, CA
Miles and Miracles
Jen Thies ran her first-ever 5K in April 2008. Three months later, she fell off her husband’s motorcycle
and suffered severe head trauma which necessitated the left side of her skull to be removed. Jen was in
a coma for seven days and when she awoke, she had to learn how to talk, read, write and even eat
again. However she had no problem walking and within just a few months took on another 5K wearing a
helmet. In September of that year, she underwent surgery to reattach her skull which her body
successfully accepted. Within six months she was back to running and has since completed 13 half
marathons and five full marathons. She hopes to inspire and encourage others through her story.
Jen Thies, 40, Bib # 1039 – Marathon
Union, KY
“First Person” Account of Boston Bombing
When Corey Farina finished last year’s Boston Marathon, she had no idea that she would soon become a
catalyst in saving the lives of others. Her training as a police officer kicked in and when she heard the
bombs she jumped in to help, still wearing her mylar blanket and the medal she had just acquired. She
soon found herself climbing into an ambulance with an injured boy, then by necessity got behind the
wheel of the ambulance and drove into the marathon route, becoming the first EMS until on the scene.
Corey’s first-person account was run in Boston Magazine last year and she was selected to receive a
special bib from the BAA. The Big Sur Marathon is proud to have her as a B2B runner.
Corey Farina, 38, Bib#376 – B2B
Weymouth, MA
A Run Down Memory Lane
The offspring of two “hippies at heart” who were drawn to Big Sur in the 70’s, Lisa Nau is returning to
her birthplace to run her first Big Sur Marathon. She grew up without electricity or indoor plumbing on
Long Ridge, a dirt road high above Palo Colorado. She remembers a 50-mile round trip bus ride to
attend Big Sur’s Captain Cooper school. Dining at Rocky Point restaurant was an occasional special treat.
Having turned 40 this year, Lisa is excited to be running the course that holds so many memories. Her
mother, who hasn’t been back in more than 30 years, will also be reliving memories when she travels to
Big Sur to watch Lisa cross the finish line.
Lisa Nau, 41, Bib #681 - Marathon
White, GA
Knit 1, Pearl 2, Run 26.2
An avid knitter and yarn rep, Mona Gutierrez is combining several passions at this year’s Big Sur
Marathon. The 52-year-old from Idyllwild, CA will be running 26.2 miles while knitting 3-4 pairs of baby
slippers to be donated to patients receiving chemotherapy. (A local yarn shop in Aptos is challenging
their customers to knot 2014 slippers to donate to adults and children with cancer.) Sound crazy? She
says, “I know I can run a marathon. And I know I can knit all day, so why not do both for a good cause?”
Mona Gutierrez, 52, Bib #3555 – Marathon
Idyllwild, CA
A Surprise Olympian
In 2012 as a college freshman, Sarah Attar ran her first marathon, the Big Sur International Marathon.
She was the youngest female that year and her 3:30 time qualified her for the Boston Marathon.
Perhaps a bigger surprise was hearing from her home country of Saudi Arabia that they would be
sending women to the Olympics. Sarah was one of only of two women chosen. Though she ran in the
800 meter competition, Sarah kept coming back to endurance races. She competed in last year’s Boston
Marathon, finishing before the tragedy struck, and returned to Big Sur for the B2B Challenge. She will be
doing B2B again this year. Sarah will be one of the featured runners in a new documentary film, “What
Moves You,” which explores the deep motivation and connection that runners share. The film is due out
in 2015 – check out whatmovesrunners.com.
Sarah Attar, 21, Bib # 240 - Marathon
Escondido, CA
Runner to Pageant Queen
Nicole Robinson has gone from runner to pageant queen and back again. After a 20 year absence taking
care of family and career, Nicole began running again and will be participating in the 5K. One of Nicole’s
many accomplishments is winning the “Women of Achievement” pageant for women over 24 (she took
top honors to represent the US in the Over 40 category). Nicole’s goal is to use her love of running to
bring awareness of anti-bullying and teen suicide prevention, as well as a mission to start a foundation
for individuals with special needs.
Nicole Robinson, 45, Bib# 9131 – 5K
Gilroy, CA
A Run to Remember
Chuck Carpenter and his son Mike both passed away within three weeks of the 2013 race. Chuck, who
had run the marathon on both his 55th and 65th birthdays, was returning to run on his 75th when he
passed away of a heart attack race morning. His son Mike was unaware of his father’s situation and
completed the marathon. Then Mike died unexpectedly three weeks later. This year, two relay teams of
family and friends are coming together to aid in the healing process in honor of these two men.
Camp Carpenter 1 & 2. Main contact: Lisa Carpenter Macht, 52, Relay Bib # 8086
Poulsbo, WA
Marathon Goddess
Last year Julie Weiss, “Marathon Goddess” completed 52 marathons in 52 weeks in memory of her
father, Maurice Weiss, who died shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She has raised
over $200k for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and has been featured on national television
including “The Today Show” and CNN and in publications such as “O” magazine. Running as a Boston 2
Big Sur runner, at the Big Sur Marathon she will be supporting the Lazarex Cancer Foundation which
supports all end stage cancer patients and the cancer community by providing assistance with costs for
clinical trial participation, navigation through clinical trial options, and community outreach and
education. (Lazarex has 30 runners participating as charity runners.) Julie is a featured running in the
documentary feature film, “Spirit of the Marathon II.” A special screening is planned for Saturday night
of marathon weekend as a fund raiser for Lazarex.
Julie Weiss, 44, Bib# 66 – B2B
Santa Monica, CA
Running Through the Golden Years
Lyle Langlois is 83 (our third oldest runner); his wife Kay is 77. Together they are a combined 160 years.
Lyle has run a marathon in all 50 states and Kay qualified and ran Boston at age 72. This year, they’ll
both be competing in the 10.6-Miler.
Lyle Langlois, 83, Bib@7306 and Kay Martin, 77, Bib@# 7309
Phoenix, AZ
Out and Back - 11,000 miles
Perhaps our longest-travelled runner, Addam Andrews will be flying in from Afhganistan just for the Big
Sur Marathon and estimates the 7,400-mile trip will increase to 11,000 with all the stops required.
Addam is a civilian contractor currently supporting the US Special Operations Command and will be
returning to work just after finishing his second Big Sur Marathon this weekend.
Addam Andrews, 30, Bib# 8854 – Marathon (Runner’s World Challenge)
Piscataway, NJ
Snow Shoe-er In Training
Nancy Brome’s ‘sport of choice’ is show shoe racing. She’s captain of a competitive show shoe team
named “The Sweetie Pies” in her home state of New Hampshire and currently ranks second in the Senior
Women’s Class. While most runners come to Big Sur as an end goal, Nancy is running to stay fit and
train for her first love, the winter snow shoe series.
Nancy Brome, 51, Bib # 5104
Manchester, NH
Political “Comeback”
Robert Regan is running for political office for the Michigan State House of Representatives. But, he has
also run to deal with a business failure, bankruptcy and divorce. Running was the one think that has
remained consistent and acted as a steadying force in his life. While it’s been said that running is
cheaper than therapy, Regan says it’s not only cheaper, “I think it’s much more effective as well!” A sixtime marathoner, Regan runs in barefoot shoes.
Robert Regan, 46, Bib# 2976
Grand Rapids, MI
Turning Adversity into Purpose
In September 2013 Rachel Layer’s life took a change of course after a man broke into her home and
attacked her as she was reading on her couch. Fortunately, she was able to fight off her attacker.
Several days later, she learned that the suspected man attacked and raped two women in the area and
recently discovered that the rapist was HIV positive. Though she had a hard time dealing with this
experience, she has since found purpose in it and now visits schools and universities to tell her story to
raise awareness and promote self defense classes.
Rachel Layer, 27, Bib# 5802 – 21-Miler
Johnson City, TN
The Support of Friends
The power of friendship is strong in a group of seven runners traveling to Big Sur from Florida. Merry
Lee Worrell writes that her running group “has given us strong soles and a stronger soul.” Admitting
that they all have stories, she shares about one member, Jil Ware, who almost lost her life in a
motorcycle accident two years ago. Her friends received the news that she may not survive, but Jil
fought to stay alive. The doctors then said she would lose her leg, but she didn’t; they said she wouldn’t
run again, but she did. Now, with the support of her running friends, Jil will be competing in the 21Miler, her first long race since the accident.
Merry Lee Worrell, 48, Bib# 5109
Eustis, FL
Journey to Lose Weight
In 2003, Leigh Ann Guveiyian carried 238 pounds on her 5’7” frame…and was miserable. Though she
began to lose weight it, went up and down as she started a family and had a major lifestyle change as
she moved across the country. In 2011, Leigh Ann decided it was time to take care of herself. Through
running and cross training, she lost over 100 pounds and is pursuing her dream of being an ultra
marathoner. She’s already completed eight ultras, five of them being 100+ milers.
Leigh Ann Guveiyian, 37, Bib@ 759
Danville, CA
Beating Kidney Cancer
Just 12 months ago, Doris Reilly was diagnosed with kidney cancer; she had multiple tumors in both
kidneys and discovered her condition is the result of a very rare genetic mutation. In June, Doris had
two tumors removed and the surgeon was able to save 90% of her right kidney. In August, he removed
five tumors from her left kidney and saved 80%. To show her appreciation for the hospital staff and the
surgeon who “literally saved my life,” Doris is raising money for his research to cure kidney cancer. Thus
far she’s raised $10,000!
Doris Reilly, 51, Bib#3073 – Marathon
Marietta, GA
Running Through Grief
Tiffany Lucero suffered the nightmare of losing a child in a car accident in the summer of 2011.
Nineteen year old Keenan had been an honor roll student and stellar athlete at Carmel High School
before he lost his life. After his death Tiffany took a hiatus from running for two years and during that
time set up a scholarship fund in her son’s name. They have already awarded three $1,000 scholarships
to three football players since 2012 and are “proud and honored to help students achieve their dreams
and goals and keep Keenan’s memory alive.” Tiffany became motivated to start running again and
entered the 10.6 miler. She is raising money for Keenan’s scholarship fund by asking sponsors to pay a
$25 donation. “Training has helped me in the healing and grieving process,” she says.
Tiffany Lucero, 47, Bib#6096 – 10.6 Miler
Pebble Beach, CA
Life change
Lily Ruelas of Seaside, CA weighed nearly 300 pounds just three years ago and “had no sense of where
my life was headed.” She decided to change her entire lifestyle and has rebuilt her entire self, losing
100+ pounds in the process professing, “Every day is a chance to become the absolute best version of
yourself. Always strive for greatness!”
Lily Ruelas, 21, Bib# 7274 – 10.6 Miler
Seaside, CA
It’s a Boy!
Samuel Thomas Conat is due to be born on marathon weekend. So, his extended family-to-be of 11
aunts, uncles, cousins and more are descending on the Monterey Peninsula for the birth AND the
marathon. Five members of the “It’s a Boy” team will be running the relay on Sunday. Grandmother
Suzanne Weber, who is also the current mayor of Tillamook, OR, speaks of “the bonds of family that
brings us all together through good times, difficult times and the maze that is life.”
It’s A Boy – Marathon Relay