Meet the Team
Back To Page
Steph Bruce (Team Director)
Flagstaff, AZ
PR: 2:27, Chicago 2019
Steph leads the Stamata program, providing mentorship and guidance to the athletes, and is also building towards 2028, locking her spot on the starting line for her 6th Olympic Trials with a 2:33:26 and a 13th place finish at the 2025 NYC Marathon. At 41, this mother of three continues to redefine performance and longevity in the sport, having competed professionally for more than a decade, including three national titles.
“I used to believe making an Olympic Team was going to define my running career, until I didn't make one, 4 times. I wondered what more is there in running than simply success measured by a number or a place? It's who we become striving to be our best.”
Instagram Strava
Jane Bareikis
Chicago, IL & Iten, Kenya
PR: 2:29, Berlin 2023
Jane grew up in Iten, Kenya, just 200 meters from the dirt track where so many legendary professionals train. But she did not become a runner until she met her husband, an American athlete training in Iten. A local, fun-run 5K gave her the bug, and she’s run ten marathons since, starting with a 2:42 in 2018 and working her way down to 2:29:00 in 2023.
“Slowly, running became something I loved. It gave me a sense of focus and community I didn’t know I was missing. Every runner has their own story, and I think mine shows that it doesn’t matter where you start — what matters is consistency and belief.”
Instagram Strava
Amanda Beach-Theodore
Littleton, Colorado.
PR: 2:34
Amanda’s journey with running begins with her mother, who was training for the 2000 Olympic Trials when she found out she was pregnant. Amanda ran collegiately at Duke and Florida State and began chasing her own marathon dreams in 2023. Now training in Colorado with Stephen First, she ran 2:44:54 at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon, followed by 2:34:51 at the 2025 Boston Marathon and 2:36:36 to snag her 2028 qualifying time at CIM 2025.
“When you surround yourself with women who share your drive, it brings a new kind of energy — one built on vulnerability, motivation, and joy.“
Instagram Strava
Christie-Ann Beatie
Salem, OR
PR: 2:47, Columbus 2024
After navigating a challenging childhood, Christie-Ann found solace – and confidence – in running during law school. She ran 2:47:30 in her marathon debut, earning her a spot on The List, the Ted Corbitt Archive for Black American Women Marathoners under three hours. A full-time public defender and part-time coach, she focuses on those who have been counted out or are newer to the sport.
“Running has become a way to reclaim wellness, prove our worth, and show that Black women deserve more than survival—they deserve thriving health and support.”
Instagram Strava
Libby Benzer
Buffalo, NY
Debut Marathon
Libby began running in high school, but it was far from a love story. In college, she ran at Canisius University and fought to break 20 minutes in the 5K. After accomplishing that goal in her junior year, she was all in, dropping another three minutes from her 5K time in the next two years, and joining the team at Penn State. With room to continue to improve post-collegiately, her goals include breaking 1:11 in the half-marathon and qualifying for the Olympic Trials with a sub-2:30 marathon.
“The races I’ve run as part of a team have been my best — not just in times, but in the confidence and sense of belonging. At Penn State, cross country races felt unstoppable because we had each other’s backs. I know that having a team — even when we’re not physically together — will fuel the fire inside me.”
Instagram Strava
Melissa Berry
Flagstaff, AZ
PR: 2:35, CIM 2025
Melissa fell in love with running at age seven, inspired by her father, who ran the inaugural Eugene Marathon in 2007. Her love for the sport brought her to the University of Oregon, where she competed for the Ducks and graduated in 2024. Post-collegiately, her goals include breaking 16 minutes in the 5K, 34 minutes in the 10K, and 1:16 in the half. In December 2025, she ran 2:35:58 in her debut at CIM, qualifying for the 2028 Trials.
“There’s something special about having a group of strong, driven women pushing each other toward their goals and celebrating every win — big or small — together.”
Instagram Strava
Teal Burrell
Richmond, Virginia
PR: 2:39, CIM 2018
A master’s athlete and mother of two, Teal is chasing big goals on the roads. Having taken her marathon time from 4:07 to 2:39, she’s raced at the 2016 and 2020 Trials and is looking to add 2028 to her resume. A neuroscientist and writer, she struggled with injuries and doubts after the birth of her second child, but remains determined to continue to progress and find new speed in her forties.
“Some say you can’t run fast after 40. I’d like to prove them wrong again. I’m healthy, feeling like my old self, and excited to continue dreaming big, no matter my age or family situation.”
Instagram Strava
Elizabeth Chikotas
Salt Lake City, UT
PR: 2:33, CIM 2025
Elizabeth competed at Penn State, where she studied Chemical Engineering, helped her team win the 2015 Big Ten Cross Country Championship, earned All-American honors in 2016, and served as a team captain. After stepping away from the sport after college, she rediscovered the joy of running first on trails, then on the roads. In 2023, working 12-hour shifts as an engineer, she ran a 2:35:14 debut at the Philadelphia Marathon. Then in 2025, she earned her spot at the 2028 Trials, running a 2:33:55 at CIM.
“Running the Trials in Orlando was emotional and humbling. Standing on that start line, surrounded by women who had all overcome their own challenges, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. Since then, I’ve known I want to keep chasing big goals — not just for myself, but alongside others who share that same drive.”
Instagram Strava
Sally Crowther
Seattle, WA
PR: 2:38, McKirdy Micro 2023
Inspired by her older sister, Sally began running at 13 and competed at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. After college, she turned to the roads, debuting in the marathon at 2:39 before just missing the 2024 Trials with a 2:38:12 at the McKirdy Micro Marathon. Owner of The Paper Way, a letterpress stationery, Sally is a graphic designer and also working towards a master’s in writing, all while raising two sons, one of whom has special needs.
“I do think a unique aspect of my daily life as a competitive athlete is wearing the multiple hats of parent / care-giver / creative / athlete. My husband and I work together as a team to support each other as we both find our sports (mine - running, his - cycling) incredibly life-giving and formative for how we show up in all other areas of our lives.”
Instagram Strava
Maggie Graham
Chicago, Illinois
PR: 2:41, CIM 2025
Maggie played D1 soccer in college, but two ACL tears left her feeling like she had unfinished business as an athlete. A midfielder, she was used to running hard for 90 minutes at a time and made the transition to long-distance running. In 2024, she became a mother, but returned to serious training in 2025, running a 2:41 marathon at CIM, 1:16 half-marathon, and 17:09 5K among other personal bests.
“My pregnancy and postpartum period were difficult, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure I’d ever race at the elite level again. But I wanted to prove—to myself and to other women—that it’s possible to chase big, scary goals while having a family, a career, and a rich life.”
Instagram Strava
Sydney Leiher
Washington, D.C.
PR: 2:41, Indy 2023
A middle-distance and steeplechase athlete in college, Sydney stopped training after graduation and joined the Peace Corps. While serving in Morocco, a group of girls asked her to help them start a running club, and the process reignited her passion for the sport. Since then, she’s become a marathoner, debuting in 2:41:32. Having recently lost her job at the Department of Education, running with Georgetown Running Club has been her constant.
“I’ve chased big dreams on my own, and I know how powerful it is to train alongside women who get the grind, the sacrifice, and the obsession. Shared suffering, shared triumphs, shared breakthroughs — that’s where the magic happens.”
Instagram Strava
Alana Levy
New York City, NY
PR: 2:36, Chicago 2025
Coming from a family of runners, Alana competed as a middle-distance athlete at Cornell, but upon graduating figured her competitive days were over. Joining Brooklyn Track Club gave her the itch to train seriously again, and after running 3:02 in the marathon, she committed to chasing the dream of qualifying for Trials. Progress has come in waves — 2:59, then 2:48, then 2:40, and an OTQ time of 2:36:53 – all while working full-time for a healthcare startup.
“There’s something powerful about shared suffering and shared dreams — that collective energy where one person’s breakthrough lifts everyone else up.”
Instagram Strava
Maria Luevano-Salazar
Chicago, IL
PR: 2:50, Chicago 2023
Maria was born in Mexico, the eighth of nine siblings. Moving with her family to the United States at 13, Maria graduated with an advanced degree in Bilingual Education and is now Vice-President for Mission at a Jesuit Catholic high school. Married with four children, Maria found running as an adult, running her first sub-four marathon in 2017, and breaking three in 2023 with support from the community at 3Run2.
“I approach running with commitment and consistency, and I also hope to pass that passion along to the next generation. I coach cross country and work to help young athletes—especially girls—find their love for running and a sense of belonging in the sport.”
Instagram Strava
Maeve McCartin
Colorado Springs, CO
PR: 2:48, Indy 2021
Maeve began running in college, finishing the Chicago Marathon her senior year in 4:38. From chasing a four-hour marathon to going sub-three in 2019, she consistently chipped away at her marathon time over the years down to 2:48 before pausing her training for her pregnancy in 2023. Her daughter spent 70 days in the NICU after birth, inspiring Maeve with her resilience. A speech pathologist as well as a USATF Level 1 and RRCA coach, Maeve has returned to training with renewed passion.
“I’m ready to tackle a new marathon goal, inspired by the determination my daughter brings to life every day. This journey has been about growth, resilience, and perseverance, and it has reminded me that I didn’t start running with a goal of OTQ—I started with curiosity, joy, and a willingness to try something new.”
Hannah Moulton
Columbus, OH
PR: 2:37, CIM 2025
Hannah ran in high school, but enrolled at the University of Wisconsin without plans to compete. Missing the sport, she transferred to Ohio State, where she joined the track team for her final two years of college. A move to Ann Arbor brought her to the Very Nice Track Club, where coaching from Sierra Willis helped her drop her marathon time from 2:53 to 2:37:18 – just shy of the 2024 Trials. Now a second-year med student in Ohio, she’s balancing her Olympic dreams with her professional ambitions. With a 2:37:06 PR at CIM 2025, she’s knocking on the door of qualification.
“Balancing rigorous academics with full-time training has taught me resilience, discipline, and how to prioritize what matters most. Running continues to be my outlet, my challenge, and my passion, and I’m excited to keep pushing toward the next big goals while connecting with a community of like-minded runners who inspire me to be my best.”
Strava
Alex Orr
Washington, D.C.
PR: 2:42
A United Airlines pilot, Alex ran collegiately at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she dropped her 5K from 19:40 to 17:40. During her senior year, the tragic loss of her father and a close friend upended her mental health and training. Pouring herself into flying, she knew she had unfinished business with the sport. After joining GRC-Tracksmith, she found her stride again, running 2:42 in Berlin, a 1:17 half, and a 35:03 10K — proof that consistency and joy can go hand in hand.
“Surrounding yourself with good, hard-working people makes you better — and I’m grateful to have found that through this team and this sport.”
Instagram Strava
Katy Presley
Cincinnati, OH
PR: 2:33, CIM 2022
Katy ran cross country and the steeplechase at the University of Kentucky, competing post-collegiately with NJNY Track Club as a sponsored athlete. After making the steeplechase finals at the 2021 Olympic Trials, she transitioned to the roads, running a 2:33 at CIM in 2022. A torn labrum required hip surgery and kept her from the 2024 Trials. Healthy once again and ready to race, she’s chasing a sub-2:30 marathon and the chance to toe the line in 2028.
“After being part of the Tracksmith Amateur Support Program for the Olympic Trials in 2021, I saw firsthand how meaningful it is to have the backing of a supportive company and feel part of a team at the trials.”
Instagram Strava
Sarah Reiter
Hood River, OR
PR: 2:31, Grandmas 2023
A runner since high school, Sarah fell in love with the sport for its community. But her job in software sales is demanding, and traveling for work means she often has to run solo. Still, she committed to the chase, logging her qualifier in 2:32:26 at CIM in 2025. The dream doesn’t stop their, she hopes to break 2:30 on the way to 2028.
“Running has been a constant source of calm, happiness, and a way to push myself to accomplish big goals. It has also been a source of empowerment and confidence through some really tough seasons in life.”
Instagram Strava
Allie Schellhammer
Grand Rapids, MI
PR: 2:42
Allie, a master’s athlete and a mother of five children, has run since middle school. Walking on to her college team started her distance running journey, but a toxic environment pushed her away from training for nearly two years. Post-collegiately, she ran her first marathon with her twin sister through Team in Training and became addicted, even running 2:57 while 21 weeks pregnant with her fourth daughter. With a 2:42 PR, she’s got 2:37 in her sights.
“My dream is simple: to keep showing up — for my running community and especially my daughters. I want them to see that hard work matters, joy and excellence can coexist, and strong women lift each other up.”
Instagram Strava
Alyssa Ondash
Cleveland, Ohio
PR: 2:43
Running helped Alyssa process her emotions after the loss of her father. She ran through high school and college, but was told she was “too big” to reach her potential. She believed it — and battled stress fractures and low confidence as a result. With a new coach and a new mindset, she dropped 45 seconds off her 5K, 90 seconds off her 10K, and decided to chase new goals on the roads. In just her second marathon, she ran 2:43:44.
“In running, the real fight isn’t against the person next to you — it’s against the voice telling you to stop. When you’re surrounded by people who are pushing through the same pain, that fight becomes something you take on together.”
Instagram Strava