An avid outdoors-person since childhood, I came to trail running through alpine climbing, when I decided I wanted to be less slow on approaches to big mountain objectives. Let's just say things escalated very quickly once the trail bug bit, and I've since discovered a love of ultrarunning, 100k and 100 mile distances in particular, and the solitude and exploration that long days on fire roads and single tracks offer. 

I discovered Quicksilver Running Club in 2020 while searching online for opportunities to volunteer and connect with other trail runners, and have since spent many great days with the club maintaining trails, volunteering at aid stations, and sweeping at the Quicksilver races. I'm thrilled to step into a new role with the club as President, and look forward to continuing to work with the Board of Directors and the club members in general.

I am excited to introduce myself as the newly voted-in Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Quicksilver Running Club. I have been a local ultrarunner and a member of the Quicksilver MUT Team since 2023. As a five-time finisher of the Quicksilver 100K, I have a deep appreciation for Almaden Quicksilver County Park and our club.

Since 2018, I have completed eight 100-mile races, finished the Badwater 135 in 2026, and am currently training with my coach, Aleksandra Gradinarova, for my tenth Boston Marathon in 2027. I look forward to bringing my experience and enthusiasm to all of our upcoming events.

Outside of running, I own and operate Cinnamon Girl Hair and Makeup Studio in San Jose, and I live locally with my supportive Husband and English Bulldog.

I have been with the club since 2012.  Started with the Board as Race Team Captain for a handful of years before moving to Director of Races -- serving as co-rd since 2020.  I have also been co-captain at Duncan Canyon since 2021.  Quicksilver introduced me to trail running, and unlocked countless unforgettable experiences -- like finishing Western States three times.  I am proud of our club -- particularly our work on the trails and with youth running.  I also serve on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, having been elected chair for multiple terms -- giving me another forum to advocate for the trails.  Inside, I have three cats and am trying to get my dog trail-ready.

Running has always been a part of who I am. My first ever race was a 5K Turkey Trot when I was around 10 years old and I've been racing ever since. I ran track and cross country and have always been passionate about the sport. It wasn't until recently though that I got into trail running. After reading "Born to Run" and learning about Western States I discovered the Quicksilver Running Club while searching for Western States Qualifiers. I've made a number of friends in the club and have really enjoyed volunteering at the Quicksilver races.

My family and I have called the Bay Area home for the past seven years and love living here. We were originally brought here for work, but as lovers of all things outdoors have fallen in love with the year round beauty of the area.

When I'm not running I'm kept pretty busy by my three young boys. They are great helpers and you'll often see them either helping volunteer with me at aid stations or cheering me on at a race.

Keith has been trail running at Quicksilver since about 2001, and got sucked into the ultra-world at Quicksilver in 2007 (by Jim, the patient zero/typhoid Mary of trail running). Somewhere around 2015 he joined the board to help perpetuate the trail running disease. Most weekends Keith can be found dodging wasps, poison oak and mountain lions in the hills around San Jose; during the week, supporting his running habit as a scientist and engineer in one of our many Silicon Valley technology companies.

Richard is mostly retired so he can spend more time running and walking hills in the area and beyond. If comparing ultra trail runners, Richard is between Kilian Jornet and Jim Walmsley, in height.

He's been fortunate enough to have run multi-day and stage races such as Dragon's Back,  Marathon des Sables, The Spine, and Vol State so far, plus some really cool 100 milers around the world, steadily getting slower.

A good excuse for moving even more slowly is to carry clippers and a saw on the trails, so organizing trail work in collaboration with the local park rangers seems a great fit.

While the Quicksilver club are stewards of the New Almaden Trail, feel free to ping me about any trail issues in the Quicksilver County Park and we'll look into it with the park rangers, and if you'd enjoy a hike with some trail maintenance included, join us for some satisfying volunteer work helping our community areas.

Kristina grew up the child of a Yosemite big wall climber and international mountaineer. To keep up with her father she had to run on the trails as a child. She loved it so much that she continued it for fitness through college. Kristina first heard about the Western States 100 mile run in the late 1970s because her high school teacher ran it. She announced she would run that race someday because it sounded great that you didn’t have to carry a pack and wear boots.

Going to school to become a chiropractor delayed her running dreams. After she graduated she met up with runners from the Quicksilver Running Club that had done ultra distances. She ran her first ultra marathon in 1989 and her first 100 mile run in 1992, which was Western States. It’s nothing short of a miracle that 29 years later she can still run without any major degenerative injuries. Definitely not the runner she used to be but still enjoys the trails and longer distances.

As a way to give back to ultra running community she became the aid station coordinator for the Quicksilver races. And to give back to the Western States 100 Run she became the captain of the Duncan Canyon aid station.

With over 30 years of running and racing experience, Gary has conquered distances from 1 mile to 100 kilometers, completing hundreds of races. A true mountain lover, he finds peace and joy on the trails. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2021, he and his wife, Kellen, have found a home with the Quicksilver Running Club.

Beyond his passion for the outdoors, Gary is a highly competitive spirit. When he's not crushing trails, racing, talking about shoes, gear, running in general, or cheering on the Quicksilver team, you can find him at sporting events (especially if the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!). He's excited to help promote a great club and team. Come join him for a run, a race, and some mountain adventures!

My family and I relocated to the Bay Area from Houston in 2024. I have a deep passion for endurance sports, having completed over 10 marathons and several ultramarathons on both roads and trails, including the Boston Marathon. I occasionally cross-train with a variety of related sports, like skiing and cycling. Professionally, I am an AI Scientist here in the Bay Area. I also co-founded a sports biomechanics startup, so I have a particular love for the science behind healthy running form. I look forward to applying that knowledge to help the kids build consistency in their training and find joy in the sport.

Mandie has been running at Quicksilver since 2016 when she started training for her first Quicksilver 100k. Although a dual member of the Stevens Creek Striders and Quicksilver, it is Quicksilver she goes to when the soul is in need of a refresh. 

Mandie has traveled the world to participate in races across Taiwan, Greece, Switzerland, in addition to all around the country. She has represented the United States as a member of Team USA at the 24 Hour World Championships, and volunteers regularly with Quicksilver, the Western States Trail Crew, and at too many races to count. Most weekends you can find her pacing, crewing, or doing trail work. 

Now that Quicksilver is basically her backyard, she thought it was time to get involved with the Board, if only to make sure that the Summer BBQ was on a date that she would actually be in town for.