AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
You only need to watch a few minutes of a marathon to learn, runners are a passionate group of people. Whatever their split-time, size or story, runners are the ones who’ve decided to get out of bed, get moving and get after it.
The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has put together a select team of runners to serve as ambassadors throughout 2018. We found go-getters who are skilled at bringing people together and motivating others towards a common goal. The majority of people who’ve run our races say that it was because a friend or family member encouraged them to try. That’s why our ambassadors are so important. Often all it takes is the right person to change someone’s thoughts from, “Never!” to “Why not me?” These lovely men and women are here to help you get across that finish line on 11/3!
Check back for updates on monthly training events hosted by our ambassadors starting in late May!
HERE’S YOUR 2018 AMBASSADORS
ALEJANDRO BURGOS
Fun Fact:
“One of my favorite hobbies growing up was cliff diving, all time bucket list item was diving off the cliffs in Acapulco. Nowadays my wife only let’s me dive off a diving board in a pool”
Connect:
AMANDA DONNELLY
Fun Fact:
“I went to six proms in high school. I just really love dressing up.”
Connect:
ASHLEY SHAPIRO
Fun Fact:
“I bought a horse when I was 13, and I still have her”
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CASEY CLINE
Fun Fact:
“I have a custom designed yoga mat that I painted myself.”
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CHRISTINA REID
Fun Fact:
“I marched in the Rose Bowl Parade when I was in college.”
Connect:
DANIELLE DOOLEN
Fun Fact:
“My mom got the inspiration for my name from a contestant on Jeopardy.”
Connect:
ERIC SMALLWOOD
Fun Fact:
“It doesn’t matter what time of the day or what I’m doing or where I’m at, I can always eat an entire pizza all by myself… I consider it more of a blessing than a curse to be honest.”
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ERIC SMITH
Fun Fact:
“I attend the Bonnaroo Music Festival every June for a week to enjoy live music and reunite with friends from all across the country.”
Connect:
HELEN TAYLOR
Fun Fact:
“I joined the knitting club in third grade to avoid the running club (now I do both!)”
Contact:
JEN DUFRESNE
Fun Fact:
“I was a Division 1 pole vaulter in college and I love a good craft beer.”
Connect:
JESSE SMITH
Fun Fact:
“I’m the pastor at a new church that meets in a pub (Crafty Beer Guys). We encourage people, when in doubt, to Uber to church.”
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KATIE GREGORY
Fun Fact:
“When I was 4 years old, my foot got sucked into the escalator at South Park Mall. My Keds tennis shoes and my outer layer of skin were torn up. They now have the brushes against the escalator stairs that prevent this from happening. Side note, we were given a free pair of shoes.”
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KATIE KINNAMON
Fun Fact:
“I won tickets to Super Bowl 50.”
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MARIA ABBE
Fun Fact:
“I studied theater performance in college and almost moved to NYC after graduating to become an actress.”
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MATT HAMMETT
Fun Fact:
“I am slightly obsessed with the Dave Matthews Band. I have seen them in concert 35 times and have been able to meet Dave twice (once in the Bahamas and the other in Asheville).”
Connect:
VANESSA GARCIA
Fun Fact:
“I graduated from a Performing Arts High School and performed for President Bill Clinton.”
Connect: