Albany Park Multicultural Academy - Karoline Towner

As a 7-8th grade science teacher at Albany Park Multicultural Academy, it is an honor to share my hobby of running with children. I have been a runner for several years now, with many 5k’s, half-marathons, and one marathon under by belt. I joined Chicago Run at APMA to keep me going as I train for a few 5k’s and a half-marathon.I also just enjoy running and it was a great way to get more in. Running is a great way to start the day, relieve stress and stay healthy.

CICS Bucktown - Marisol Duerr

My name is Marisol Duerr and I coach at CICS Bucktown. This is my second year coaching Running Mates. I think it is a great club, but it’s so much more than that. I was a runner at a young age, more of a sprint racer than a long distance racer but did love to run. It was freeing and helped me think. I’d like to instill the importance of what running can help them do, show them the importance of a team player, the importance of endurance, the importance of understanding the heat levels of a run (something from my childhood). Hard work can be fun! Just like life. I have two children of my own that I have taught the importance of a team and still how to take care of themselves. I’d like to share this with my runners and be there for those who need me.

Chopin Elementary - Nicole Preucil

I am Chopin’s School Social Worker and running enthusiast. I love to run and have made a goal of running around the world. I have ran a combination of half and full marathons, here in Chicago and in different countries. I am motivated to educate and expand student’s knowledge of fitness and exercise while creating a safe place for students to take risks and get moving.

Emerson Elementary - Dennis Puhr

Dennis is a fourth grade teacher at Emerson Elementary in Berwyn. Dennis lives on the northwest side of Chicago. He was impressed by the Chicago Run programs he heard about at John B. Murphy Elementary. He had already started a running club at Emerson, so he reached out to Chicago Run to see if Emerson could join, and the rest is history. Dennis enjoys running on Chicago’s lakefront as well as participating in 5Ks around the city. He has run the San Diego marathon and several half marathons. In his spare time he is the President of the Athletic Field Park; coordinates the Emerson Commander Gardening; enjoys spending time reading with his family. 

CICS Irving Park - Pat Sheetz

Pat Sheetz is a teacher at CICS Irving Park and became a Running Mates coach because of the opportunity to work with the 7th/8th grade youth at the school.

"I'm excited to view their development as runners throughout the school year. In my free time, I love to participate in running, soccer, and basketball."

Lewis Elementary - Mallory Dignin

Mallory Dignin is the 4th grade math teacher at Lewis and just completed her 3rd year as a Running Mates coach at Lewis. She started running in middle school and took up long distance running when she moved to Chicago, almost 10 years ago.

"I love the Running Mates program because it give students in our community, a sense of accomplishment and pride, and, of course, the start of life-long healthy habits. It's also a great chance to reconnect with my former students."

Lewis Elementary - Katherine Bast

Katherine Bast is a first-time coach for Chicago Run. She has been a long-time runner and loved participating in the running programs her schools had growing up. She is excited to join the Chicago Run community!

Lewis Elementary - Erica Tully

Erica Tully is the 4th grade ELA teacher at Lewis, and this is her third year as a Running Mates coach. She started running in middle school as a sprinter, and then took up long distance running as an adult (with varying degrees of success). “I love being a Running Mates coach because I really think it is a great opportunity to start teaching life-long healthy habits. I also think it is fantastic to see the growth of our runners in short periods of time.”

McCormick Elementary - Carli Alvarado

My name is Carli Alvarado (or Coach C), and I teach 5th grade at McCormick Elementary School, in Little Village. It has been such a gift to coach the Running Mates program for over a year now because it has allowed me to form meaningful relationships with students and families outside of my own classroom. Every student really does need a champion, and my role as a coach really lets me encourage and support students from all grade levels. I believe relationships build resilience, and this is crucial when supporting students to persevere and grow as leaders and mentors for others. The kids make every single practice so fun, and it has been great watching them take the lead during practice and step outside of their comfort zones, all the while creating healthy daily habits and strong relationships with their teammates!

Murphy School - Eli Hetland

Eli Hetland is a Special Education Classroom Assistant at Murphy School and has been the Running Mates coach for the past three years.

Sawyer Elementary - Marlene Avila

Marlene Avila has been coaching Running Mates for the past four years. She currently teaches writing and reading at Sawyer Elementary School to sixth graders and found that running has been an outlet for a lot of her students. She became involved with Running Mates after being the Chicago Runners program site coordinator for several years.

"I feel that running has added so much to my life and the lives of my students that now I see running as a necessity. I look forward to what Running Mates has to offer to my kids and can't wait to see my runners grow as individuals."

South Side YMCA - Agneis Schultz

Agneis (Nacy) is the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Senior Director of Association Operations. She was introduced to the Chicago Run program in fall of 2020 and quickly volunteered to be a coach. Nacy has not been a runner her whole life but when she completed her first 5K at the age of 24, she was hooked. Her goal is to run a half marathon in every state (she has completed 15 so far!). Nacy loves the sense of community and support that running provides and cannot wait to help provide that for YMCA youth.

James Ward Elementary - Lisa Galarza

Lisa Galarza has been a Chicago Run coach for 9 years since the program first started at James Ward. 

"I love the program! Not only do the kids stay fit but they grow bonds with each other and are good friends. For some of my kids this is the only place they feel they fit in and that to me is awesome. I myself love running and the way it makes me feel. For these kids it has become very important. They can't wait for practice to start again this Fall!"

Eli Whitney Elementary (8th Grade) and Little Village Lawndale High School - Liz Hedden

This is my third year coaching with Chicago Run and my sixth year teaching at Eli Whitney. I teach 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies, so I know first-hand how this age group goes through significant changes both physically and socially/emotionally. Running provides a healthy outlet for my students to help work through these changes, make friends, and learn lifelong health skills. For these several reasons I joined and have stayed with Chicago Run as a running coach.

Eli Whitney Elementary - Alicia Pena-Medina (5th-6th Grade)

My name is Alicia-Pena-Medina, I am a mother, wife, teacher and coach. This is my 18th year teaching and 15th year at Whitney. I am a mother of two boys, 15 and 11. Both are very active and involved in sports. I started my own fitness journey four years ago and it is a very import part of my life. I wake up at 4:00 am to work out before work. Last year was my first year as a coach. I wanted to be a part of a program that I believed in and that would benefit my students. It was such a great experience to have had an opportunity to coach my own grade level and get to know my students on a different level. My students loved Chicago Run and that is what made me coach again. They improved in their fitness and realized the importance of being active. I am excited for another year of coaching