Voices Of M3S Sports

Lisa Amstutz

When Lisa was 30, a friend asked if she wanted to join her in training for a half marathon. Lisa said the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as she was on a journey to live a healthier lifestyle. In 2013, Lisa began running and The Cap City Half Marathon was one of her first races. She has continued running Cap City almost every year since. Lisa and her husband currently reside in Northwest Ohio with their two children. Although she is originally from NW Ohio, she lived in Columbus for almost 5 years and frequently comes back to run races with her family and friends. Over the course of almost 10 years, Lisa has lost almost 60 lbs, improved her lifestyle dramatically, ran through both of her pregnancies, and now enjoys running with her kids. She has completed 19 half marathons, and in 2022 completed her first marathon at the Chicago Marathon. She says that she is inspired by the running community and looks forward to sharing her passion for running, living healthy, and the awesome atmosphere at M3S races with others!

Laurie Bilovesky

Laurie has been actively involved in the running (and walking) community since 2009 after she realized it was time to get in shape and take back her life. She joined Marathoners in Training through Fleet Feet Sports and has been coaching with them since 2011. Laurie loves watching new (and experienced) runners/walkers crushing their goals every season. You may have even seen her at a past race, as she frequently is a pacer for M3S. Over the years, Laurie has completed 57 halves, 10 fulls, and 3 ultras.

Heather Carpenter

Heather is originally from the Hocking Hills, lived in the Columbus area before moving to Cincinnati. She spends her days working in medical imaging and growing her run coaching business @joyfulpurposerunning. Heather found her passion for running back in 2012. Since then she has been blessed to run NYC, Chicago, and Big Sur Marathons. Her border collie mix rescue is her running buddy and loves to run fast! Heather has been active in the Cincinnati running community where she has been a pace coach for a few running clubs and a guide for a visually impaired man. She is also a certified run coach and loves to personalize run plans and assist her athletes in obtaining their goals. She loves to remind everyone to “Be the best you.”  This pertains to your running and everyday life.

Laura Czuba

Laura started running in 2008 when she moved from North Carolina to Ohio for Graduate School at The Ohio State University. Laura’s first race was the Cap City 5K.  She became an avid runner for the mental escape and the pursuit of a healthy, active lifestyle. She’s since completed over 30 Half Marathons and 3 Triathlons. Her favorite things while running include:  1. Smelling fresh laundry from dryer vents. 2. Giving other people a compliment. And 3. Taking pictures of something beautiful.  When Laura was 7, her mother suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed. For Laura, running is a reminder to be thankful for and celebrate what her mind and body can do.  Laura’s other hobbies include traveling and running in new cities, woodworking and volunteering with her therapy dog, Gracie Bird.

Teresa Gellenbeck

Teresa first started running as a soccer player, and post-college, the half marathon became her favorite distance.  Although she is learning to enjoy the occasional solo run with an audio book, she much prefers running with friends and often joins group runs with her Shred415 Sawmill or Columbus Running Co run buddies. In addition to running, she enjoys hiking, walking, and exploring the Dublin/Columbus running trails, capturing it all for @LivingFitColumbus. Teresa is a teacher, photographer, wife, and busy soccer/hockey mom... but continues to make her fitness & mental health a priority mile after mile. 

Alissa Henry

Alissa is a Columbus native and host of the Cash Explosion lottery show. She started her long-distance running journey about 8 years ago, with the 2012 Capital City Quarter Marathon as her first official long-distance race. She had such an amazing experience and was hooked! Since then, Alissa has run 5Ks, 4-milers, half marathons, and her first full marathon. If it involves a medal and supports a good cause, she’s in! Alissa’s favorite training runs happen before 6AM and involve running with a group of friends from Moms Run This Town or Black Girls Run. She is a running-with-headphones enthusiast, always listening to an upbeat playlist, posts every run on Instagram stories, and loves cute workout gear. Alissa’s goal in 2020 is to encourage people who want to run that they can do it - find what you love about running, focus on that, and be your own #goals.

Dom Hoecherl

Dominique moved to Dublin, Ohio 7 years ago from Denver, Colorado and is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah.  She played soccer at the University of Utah for four years and graduated with a degree in Sociology and Psychology.  She currently serves as a Coach Liaison at the Dublin Soccer League and is the Tournament Director for the Dublin Charity Cup. Dominique loves things all coaching and currently holds a USSF National “A” soccer license and has served on the Region IV staff for the Olympic Developmental Program.  She coached for Colorado Rush Soccer Club for 12 years as a Director of Coaching for Youth Girls and many other roles within the club including running the Recreational League and as the General Manager for the clubs W-League semi-professional women's team.   Dom has over 23 years coaching experience from ages three-adult. She is also currently the head coach of her daughter’s competitive soccer team.  In addition, Dom teaches group fitness classes at Lifetime and has her ACE Certification.  Dom loves all things fitness, running races, trail running and spending time with her daughters Sophia and Bella.

JJ Johnson

JJ has been a runner for 15+ years, completed 10 half marathons, and many other races over the years. You can find JJ running with his friends of the Rocky Fork Running Club downtown once or twice on the weekends. JJ loves the Columbus running community and all the friendships and memories it continues to give him. He even met his (future) wife through his running club!

JJ is originally from Northwest Ohio and currently resides in Columbus. JJ has a BFA from Columbus College of Art & Design, and has been a graphic designer for 13 years.

When JJ isn’t running or working, he enjoys exploring Columbus’ restaurants and breweries, biking, golfing, and traveling. He is a big fan of Columbus sporting events; Clippers, Crew, Blue Jackets and of course Ohio State football -Go Bucks!

M3S Sports races are by far his favorite races for obvious reasons- the organization, atmosphere, and after party are second to none!

Kathy Kapes

Kathy started running in 2012 and crossed over into the triathlon scene in 2017. Over the years has completed 22 half marathons, seven full marathons, and four 70.3 events. In 2019, she became an Ironman in Maryland and says it was an experience like no other. She works with a coach year-round and looks forward to crossing the finish line at her next Ironman. Kathy describes herself as a ‘back of the pack’ athlete and she gets her money’s worth out on the course. She loves helping others achieve their goals and has done that by being a pacer at events. She races with positivity and gratitude, sets big goals, and works towards achieving them. Of course, we can’t forget that she is an avid Buckeye fan. Go Bucks!

Chris Manz

Born and raised in Columbus. Started running in 2011 when he completed his first quarter marathon at Cap City. Has been hooked ever since. Father of 3 boys. Marathon runner. Cross-country and track coach. Loves running.

Akeem Needum

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Former Collegiate Football player at Tiffin University. Started running for discipline and relaxation. Great family workout as my mom and dad join me in running anything from 5Ks to Marathons. I also Enjoy Weightlifting, Hiking, Yoga, and anything that makes me active! Current Operations Manager at the Columbus Lululemon Distribution Center. HUGE Buckeye enthusiast

Ashley Odenweller

Ashley is a wife, mom, and business owner who tries to make fitness a priority in her life. She started running in 2014 and completed her first half marathon in 2018. Running has become a place for her to get away from the chaos and numerous to-do's in her daily life and she’s grown to love the feeling of crossing the finish line! Plus, she’s a self-admitted medal junkie. Over the years, Ashley has completed numerous 4 mile, 5k, and 10k races, plus 2 half marathons. Her favorite distance to run is a 10k and she tries to do as many as she can.

Dave Parsons

Dave started running in 2010 with a desire to lose weight. Since that time, he’s lost 35 pounds, logged more than 29,000 miles, run over 150 races (including 28 marathons and several ultras), and become an RRCA certified running coach. He's also a member of the Rogue Racers team, and in addition to racing, he loves pacing others in races. Outside of running, Dave is the PR and Communications Manager for Donato’s and enjoys cheering on his daughters in all their endeavors. Fun fact: nearly one-third of Dave’s races have been M3S Sports events as he has raced in more than 50 of them!

Andrew Queler

Andrew started running in 2011 after deciding he didn’t want to be 225 pounds anymore. Over the years he’s worked his way down to 175 pounds and continues to enjoy running and racing whenever his schedule permits, as he’s a local small animal veterinarian. He appreciates the friendships that he’s made over the past 8 years in Columbus and the extraordinary running community. Andrew believes that M3S produces the greatest events with the greatest swag all year round, spanning January 1st with the First on the First 5k, all the way through December with the Jingle Bell Run. It’s the perfect motivation to keep his running on track all year long and he feels forever grateful. Andrew is also a member of the free Columbus Westside Running Club (CWRC) and loves running every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with a group of amazing people, from runners to walkers.

Drew Rankin

Drew is a dad of two, Buckeye, Wellness Consultant, runner, and Pelotonia rider. He’s run many half marathons and two full marathons, but 2020 will be his first Capital City Half Marathon! He’s trained with Fleet Feet’s MIT program before and is looking forward to rejoining the best pace group ever again!

Drew Riley

Drew is a married father of 4 and has been a Diesel Technician for COTA for the past 27 years. He started running when he turned 40-years-old because he couldn’t make it up a flight of stairs without losing his breath and has completed numerous races over the years since.

Jess Stanley

Jess is a half marathoner turned ultramarathoner who competed in her first 50k in early 2022 in Arizona and her second in Ohio later that same year. She loves staying active and has her sights set on competing in more ultras, including a 50 and 100 miler, across the U.S. She also enjoys yoga and traveling. Outside of fitness, Jess is an educator, a published poet and is currently working on her PhD in Public Policy and Administration. 

Torre Summers

Torre is a born, raised, and stayed Columbus girl. Her life is busy and wonderfully full between being a wife, a mom of two teenage student athletes, a coach for Hilliard Davidson Girls Tennis and nurturing her own Gift Box company, Chadwick Home-Cozy Living and Celebrations. Torre has been an athlete for the majority of her life, tennis being her main sport and great passion. She found the gift of running in her late-30s and has since completed many half marathons, the very first being the Capital City Half Marathon, and completed her first full marathon in 2019. She’s very active within the Columbus running community and as a Coach with Marathoners in Training (MIT). When she’s not running, Torre is oftentimes at Lifetime Upper Arlington lifting weights, on a yoga mat, in a cycle class or doing a workout with her personal trainer.

Allison Szedlock

Originally from Northern Virginia, Allison moved to Columbus in 2015. She began running in college, but had to take a few years off to focus on her health. Once things stabilized, she began increasing her mileage and ran her first half marathon in 2013 and in 2015, nearly a year after her daughter was born, Allison completed her first full marathon. The moment she stepped across the finish line, she swore that she would never run another 26.2, but that wasn’t true. Since then, she’s completed 10 full marathons, dozens of half marathons, countless shorter distance races, and has no plans of slowing down. Aside from running, Allison is an events and social media manager and enjoys spending time with her family, especially outdoors.

Shelby Watkins

Shelby is a dog mom recently promoted to a girl mom and the Assistant Manager at the newest Metro Park, Quarry Trails. She is admin for her local chapter of Moms Run this Town and loves strength training and running trails! Shelby stayed active in High School by playing soccer but didn’t really get into running till her junior year of college when her roommates asked her if she wanted to run a half marathon. She’s been hooked ever since completing several full marathons, countless half marathons, a duathalon, a few Ragnar relay races and a 50k!

Julia Wiseman

Julia’s running career began in high school when she ran on the cross country and track teams. She first fell in love with the social element of the sport and then developed an appreciation for the other benefits. After high school, Julia coached cross country and track at the middle school and high school levels for 8 years. In her mid-twenties, she had the desire to race again - she ran her first half marathon and then her first full marathon after her daughter was born and now can’t get enough. Through the journey of training for each of these races, Julia has become convinced that the benefits of running and fitness extend far beyond physical results and she is passionate about sharing these benefits and helping others achieve their goals. In April of 2019, Julia joined Rise Fitness Community as a trainer and run coach and loves feeling like she is part of a team again. Racing has a way of showing us to never place limits on ourselves and M3S provides such a spectacular experience!