Our Team

Here’s a snapshot of the FR&W team, how we work together and why we love what we do.

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Steve & Genevie

Store Owners

Steve:

Favorite places to run: Cascades and Chuckanuts for sure, but also running to explore a new place, big view or special wildness. I’m preparing for: Summer hiking and camping in the Cascades. Favorite workout: Long repeats on the Interurban (the Urb) Trail. Favorite shoe and sock: Nike Pegasus Trail and Feetures socks. Great running memory: Chain Lakes Trail near Mt. Baker with Genevie and her dad, Gale.

Genevie:

Current shoe: I’m returning to an old favorite – the Nike Pegasus! I’m also loving my Brooks Ghost.  Favorite sport drink or fuel: Any fruit flavored Gu right before a late afternoon run and Nuun hydration anytime. Typical workout routine: I’m walking 3-5 miles most days. Favorite person (s) to run with: Steve or my dad or myself. 😉 Favorite place to run: My favorite routes currently are around the marina and Pete Zuanich Park….and Lake Padden…and around the super cool neighborhood of Fairhaven.

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Craig

Store Manager

What I care about most when I go for a run: The “energy” of the run. To me a run usually produces exhilaration in some way. Maybe it’s the endorphins… but running has always been a fun, inspiring and invigorating experience for me.

Favorite Workout: 10 x 400 on the track

If I could only do only one run each month, it would be: Galbraith Mtn. loop w/ Rock n Roll trail

Typical run distance: 5 miles

What makes a run great: A nice easy pace to warm-up, then pushing the hills in the middle, and getting to a great view; finishing feeling elated and hungry and more energized than at the start of the run!

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Sierra

About me:
I started running at Acme Elementary School through Girls on the Run, and continued running in high school and college for Mount Baker and Western Washington University. Aside from running, I’m obsessed with cats and sweets, have caught the travel bug, and enjoy attempting new baking and cooking recipes.

Tips for being consistent: 

Make it a routine! I like to run at the same time almost every day. I’m typically out the door within 20 minutes of getting out of bed. It’s automatic, and my brain is still sleeping, so there’s no time to protest.

Accountability Buddy(s) I meet my friend Haida a few times a week, and that accountability helps us both get out there on the cold, rainy “Can’t I just sleep in” days.

Challenge Yourself. Signing up for a race, setting a goal time, or scheduling a day of the week to run a tempo or interval workout switches things up and keeps me motivated.

Fuel: I’m fueled on super moist cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Sour Patch Kids, and extra saucy thin crust pizza with crispy pepperonis and pineapple. During races I like the Strawberry Honey Stinger Chews, Mountain Berry Shot Blocks from Cliff, and Salted Caramel Gu.

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Conner

About Me:
I was born and raised here in Bellingham! I grew up playing soccer, basketball, and started running when I was in the 8th grade at Fairhaven Middle School. I ran at Sehome High School for cross country and track and got lucky enough to continue my competitive career at Washington State University. Now I’m back home and looking forward to getting back out on the Bellingham trails and reconnecting with the running community that I grew up around!

Favorite Shoe:
I love the Asics GT-2000 for my easy days on the interurban and around Lake Padden and the Brooks Caldera for when I head up into the Chuckanuts or Galbraith.

Favorite Run/Running Buddy: It’s so hard to have a favorite run in town with so many amazing trails, but I love running to Raptor Ridge as I have been doing that route since I was a freshman in High School and it’s still the same quad burning experience every time. I also really enjoy running from Fairhaven towards Boulevard Park on the boardwalk with fellow staffer Dillon. If you see us out in the evenings, say “hi”.

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Drew

About Me:
Born in Portland, OR and raised in the suburbs of Vancouver, WA. Alumni of Fort Vancouver High School and enthusiastic shoe-nerd. Been running track since 4th grade, and the rest is history. Lucky enough to get the opportunity to continue my XC / TF career here in town at WWU, where I am currently studying urban planning! I quickly fell in love with our trails, and continue to find new appreciation for the NW corner of Washington state with each passing day.

Favorite Shoe:
For a daily trainer, the Asics GT-2000 has never failed me. I’ve also found past success with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS.

Favorite Race:
The mile, without a doubt. It’s fast but still allows for some tactics, and it’s not over in the blink of an eye like the 800. As a middle-distance guy, I prefer quicker stuff that is truly down to the wire.

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Brian

About Me:

I grew up in Kent, Washington, where I found my calling for the sport during my first mile run in a middle school gym class fitness test. I was fortunate enough to compete for three years in high school after that, before having to pave my own little path in the sport, traveling to local track meets around the region with my girlfriend. Now, we’re bringing ourselves back to the root of why we loved the sport, which was to have fun and run fast(er), together!

Favorite Shoe:
Would have to be the Nike Pegasus line — it’s what I started with back in 2015, and it’s still my perfect shoe.

Favorite Place:
The Interurban Trail is my pick! Being closely surrounded in nature, but on a relatively flat and fast trail, makes for some fun and immersive workouts when the track or roads become stale.

Favorite Race:
I generally enjoy anything middle distance (400 meters to 5K), but I always gravitate back to anything from the 1500 meters to the Mile — it’s what got me into this sport and it’s what’s kept me in it since.

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Alex

About Me:
I was born a couple hours south of Bellingham, in Kirkland, WA. I transferred to WWU into the Kinesiology program after graduating from Bellevue College. Running through forest and mountain trails is truly an exhilarating experience. I’ve ran, climbed, hiked, and ski toured numerous times around Snoqualmie Pass. Silver Peak is definitely my favorite spot.

Favorite Shoe:
My favorite shoe has to be the Saucony Kinvara. The weight, shape and feeling of the shoe is second to none. It fits like a glove and feels like clouds under my feet.

Favorite Place to Run:
Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland holds a special place in my heart. Just under 500 acres of forested trails and a quick walk from my family home. I’ve spent hours there running, exploring, and foraging for mushrooms.

Favorite Race:
I love running the 400. Fighting your body for the last 100 meters to finish strong while trying to get that last kick and outrun the person right in front of you is electrifying.

 

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Laura

About Me:
I’ve lived in Bellingham my whole life. I grew up running many of the trails in and around town. I ran at Squalicum high school and now I’m on the cross country and track team at WWU. At Western I am currently studying Kinesiology. Aside from running I love hiking and backpacking. In the winter I try to get up to Baker a couple times for snowboarding and snowshoeing.

Favorite Place to Run:
I love running through the trails on Galbraith Mtn. All the different terrain and great views make Galbraith so much fun!
Dream Run:
The Enchantments
Favorite Race:
XC 6K or Steeplechase
Favorite Shoes:
For the road I love the Hoka Clifton on easy days and Saucony Endorphin Speed for workouts. On the trails I love the Brooks Caldera.
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Emily

About me:
I grew up here in Bellingham and recently moved back after attending college and living in Missoula MT. Growing up, I loved playing soccer and doing local races with my family, which led me to run in middle school, high school, and college. I have an immense love of trails, especially if they take me to a patch of blueberries, an alpine lake, or a new place! Apart from running and dreaming about trail routes, I spend a lot of my time farming veggies and flowers.

Favorite shoe:
I have run in Brooks forever, so it’s currently the Brooks Caldera.

Favorite places to run:
I will always love running in the Chuckanuts (Raptor, Ridge Trail, Pine and Cedar) and up at Mt Baker (the High Divide). And if you are ever in Missoula, I would definitely recommend checking out the Rattlesnake, Pattee Canyon, and any trails in the Bitterroot.

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Moise

About Me:
I grew up a solid day trip away in Yakima. Running became a big part of my life once high school began. I was fortunate enough to find success in both track and cross country running at Eisenhower. Following graduation I continued my running career at Lynn University in South Florida. Throughout my running career I’ve always enjoyed the sense of community with fellow my runners which has lead me to where I am now. While the weather was better in Florida, all of the trails and natural beauty in the northwest make running here by far the better experience.

Favorite Shoe:
The Saucony brand has never let me down in all my years of running.
Favorite Race:
I alternate between the 400 and the 800, but overall I’m going to lean towards the 400. Both events are the perfect mix of speed and strength. There’s no better feeling than ripping around the track and holding on over the final 50 meters.
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Eric

About Me:
I was born and raised in Eastern Iowa, growing up on a farm that grew everything from corn to pumpkins. Growing up I took inspiration from my dad, who raced XC at the collegiate level & ran both XC & track, but over time my passion for racing mountain bikes grew. Despite this, running is a regular part of my training routine and my favorite cross-training tool. After moving here, I have loved exploring all the different running trails that are easy access to all of Bellingham!

Favorite Trail:
So far I have loved running through Whatcom Falls! It’s within running distance to my apartment so I can easily link together a 3-5 mile run throughout the park!  I have also loved exploring the trails on Galbraith, both running and on my bike!

Favorite Shoe:
I have always loved the Hoka Clifton! It has never let me down regardless of terrain, from training for races to everyday wear it has always worked well for me!

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Kyle

About me:
I’m from a suburb west of Chicago called Oak Park. I moved out to Washington in 2021 for work and school. I love hiking and biking on the local trails, as well as lifting weights at the gym. I am currently going to school at WWU for computer science.

Favorite Trail:
I’ve really been enjoying Fragrance Lake and the South Bay Trail.

Favorite Shoe:

Asics Gel-Kayano

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Chase

About me:
Born and raised here in Bellingham, I’m now finishing out high school at Squalicum. I started running in 5th grade in order to hopefully be faster than my older brother and kept with it through middle school and eventually now up to my high school years.

Favorite shoe: 
I’ve run in the Nike Pegasus for the past 7 years and have always loved it, but now as I’ve been able to explore other options. The ON CloudMonster is quickly becoming one of my go to’s.
Favorite race:
The 800m, short quick pain but filled with all sorts of tactics and strategies. But the 1600m also holds a special place in my heart.
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Evelyn

About me:

I grew up in Port Orchard, about 2 hours south of Bellingham in the Kitsap Peninsula. I grew up playing basketball and soccer and started to run in middle school to stay busy during the off season of my other sports. However, I loved the feeling of freedom and the rush that running brings, and it soon became my main sport. After graduating, I ran for the University of Portland for a year before coming to Bellingham to run for Western Washington’s track and cross country program. I quickly fell in love with the trails and community that this city has to offer.

Favorite place to run:

I enjoy the Chuckanuts, specifically the Ridge Trail! I also love Galbraith, as I am largely drawn to trail running.

Favorite shoe:

For my everyday trainers I opt for the Asics Cumulus, as they are versatile and work well for my foot. My favorite trail runners are the Brooks Speedgoats, I always feel very secure in them when I’m bombing down a steep technical trail.

Favorite race:

The steeplechase! I enjoy the challenge of hopping over obstacles and the water barrier and in my opinion 3000m is the perfect distance!

Word Has It, We’re Pretty Great!

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