Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors

Ambassador Program Manager

Ambassador Adam Gockowski

Adam Gockowski

Ambassador since 2021

Adam is the newly active Ambassador Program Manager for the Cleveland Marathon. He has been running consistently since January 2017 as a way to stay in shape, both physically and mentally. He is a regular attendee of local running (and brew) clubs and loves the social aspect of the sport. To stay accountable and competitive with himself, he registers for at least one race, every month, with distances ranging anywhere from 5K to half marathon. To encourage others to get into running, he created “Acey McGlockstar Runnin Club” on Instagram. Outside of running, Adam is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan, especially the Guardians (Formerly the Indians). You may remember him as the 2014 Tribe’s “Governor of Brohio.” Yep, he was that guy.

Ambassador Stephanie Teppner

Stephanie Teppner

Ambassador since 2012

Stephanie is wife, mom of 4, stepmom of 3, and soon-to-be grandma who took up running in 2009 as a way to become mentally and physically healthy after the birth of her twins. This is her 11th year as a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador, and after taking 2023 off, she is beyond excited to be back representing the race and city she loves!

A 20-year veteran in the field of public health, Stephanie recognizes the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle and enjoys making races and running a family affair. When she isn't working or running, you will find her spending time with her husband and family, attending her kids' sporting events and activities, and spoiling her dog, Loki.

Ambassador Melissa Carney

Melissa Carney

Ambassador since 2015

Melissa Koski Carney is 30-something year old Cleveland transplant originally from New York. If you had told her 20 years ago that she would be a marathon race ambassador, she would've laughed. Melissa didn't start running long distances regularly until after college. She ran her first half marathon 14 years ago and caught the running bug, running Cleveland's half marathon several years in a row. When she ran her first Cleveland half marathon, she was a newlywed, living in Downtown Cleveland and walking to the starting line. Now, she’s a mom of three kids, ages 2, 5 and 7, who lives in the suburbs and uses running as her much-needed solo time.

When she’s not running, Melissa works full-time as a healthcare communications professional and spends her free time reading, baking, and driving her kids to their own activities. Cleveland Marathon Weekend is her favorite weekend of the year and she is excited to be a returning ambassador. She blogs regularly at I Crashed The Web (www.icrashedtheweb.com), contributes to Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine and is known as @koskim on social media, including Instagram.

Ambassador Melissa Chamberlain

Melissa Chamberlain

Ambassador since 2015

Melissa is a regular mom who enjoys running in her free time. She has completed a full marathon, over a dozen half marathons and lots of other races. Outside of running, she is a proud mom and stepmom of 4 busy boys. She enjoys spending time with her husband and boys. Since 2010, the Cleveland Marathon has meant so much to Melissa. She has run it next to family and friends, had her sons at the finish line, and even got engaged at the VIP reception dinner. She is honored to be asked back to be an ambassador for the 10th year in a row and loves the people she has met through the organization.

Mary Sutter

Ambassador since 2015

Mary began running as a part of a major weight loss journey, but it has become so much more than that! It is therapy, a way to stay healthy, and has also become a way to see different parts of the country. What better way to see a city than run 13.1 miles through it? Ok… maybe running 26.2 miles through it! This year Mary is coming back after spending the past few years facing several injuries and health issues. She is looking forward to running the streets of Cleveland once again - follow her for info on getting back on course after taking a few detours.

Emily Lee New

Emily Lee

Ambassador since 2019

Emily has been a runner for 20 years and has been loving the new season of life as a Mother Runner! Her first Half Marathon was Cleveland in 2014, the race day joy was contagious and it quickly became a favorite! Emily loves the thrill of 13.1 & is looking forward to running it again through the streets of the C-L-E in May. She loves the excitement of race day, the familiar faces in the crowd and the inspiration that lifts the city as it wakes up on race day.

Chris Thaxton New

Christopher Thaxton

Ambassador since 2020

Christopher is the training instructor for Plumbers Local 55 who takes pride educating the tradespersons responsible for building The Land.

In 2017, he made a lifestyle change and incorporated running into his fitness journey. Down 100 lbs., he ran his first Cleveland Half Marathon in 2018 and even before he crossed the finish line, he knew his next goal was to tackle a marathon. He has since run multiple marathons, half marathons, 5ks and relays.

Christopher has earned Abbott World Major Marathon Stars in Chicago and NYC in ‘19, ‘22, Boston in ‘21, ‘22, ‘23 and Berlin in ‘23 where he PR-ed with a 2:51:43. He started training as a multi-sport athlete and completed his first sprint triathlon in ‘21 and quickly followed it up with an Olympic distance triathlon. He competed in triathlons in ‘22 including Cleveland, USAT Age Group Nationals in Milwaukee and his first 70.3 Ironman in NY.

Christopher is excited to be returning as an ambassador for Cleveland Marathon weekend this year. Cleveland is home and this race holds many memories. He can’t wait to make more! He enjoys training runs in the Cleveland Metroparks both solo and with SoleTrain. He can also be found celebrating Merwins Monday, bridge crossings and trips to Mordor with the Cleveland Distance Collective. He resides in Fairview Park with his wife Jaclyn and their rescue dogs Koda & Theo.

Spencer Baker New

Spencer Baker

Ambassador since 2021

Spencer ran his first marathon, the Cleveland Marathon, in 2018 and hasn't looked back. This year he looks forward to completing his sixth Cleveland Marathon. Spencer started as a five hour plus marathoner and has achieved a PR of three hours and thirty-five minutes. He loves running for the world of possibilities for self-improvement that it opens up for anyone who chooses to take on a new distance, a new time, or simply to be the best version of themselves on any given day. He has goals of running all six of the marathon majors and running a marathon in all fifty states. Spencer runs to help himself stay healthy, both mentally and physically, and to challenge himself to push beyond his perceived limits. Spencer looks forward to running The Land with everyone this spring!

Leah Kilbane New

Leah Kilbane

Ambassador since 2021

Running has always been an activity that Leah has enjoyed and incorporated several times a week in her fitness routine, but her true passion for the sport did not develop until she experienced the “runners high” after running her first race in 2015. Leah’s love for the Cleveland Marathon began in 2016 after completing the half marathon. In the summer of 2016, she sustained a hip fracture training for her first full marathon. After a long 6 months of recovery, the 2017 Cleveland half marathon was her comeback race.

Since the injury, Leah has completed numerous half marathons and 4 full marathons. Leah has continued to run for many reasons, mainly for fitness and health, but also for the physical and mental challenge of setting and attaining personal goals. You will see Leah running with her best runner girl gang friends and the Days Dam crew.

The 2024 Cleveland Marathon will be Leah’s 9th year participating in the race and her fourth year as an ambassador representing Cleveland. Outside of running, Leah is married, a mom to 4 amazing children, and works full-time as a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner for University Hospitals Saint John Medical Center in the Intensive Care Unit. Leah is also a barre instructor at Westside Barre, a local studio located in Avon and leads the "Run to the Barre" classes at the studio and at Crocker Park.

Ambassador Melissa Mantkowski

Melissa Mantkowski

Ambassador since 2021

Melissa is a Northeast Ohio native whose running adventures began with track and field and continued through the years as a hobby. Melissa decided to challenge herself and take on her first half marathon in 2013. A few years and a few half marathons later, she completed her first full marathon in 2018. When Melissa isn’t running with her training group Northeast Ohio Fit, she enjoys reading, traveling, and playing with her Chocolate Lab Sheldon. Melissa is excited and honored to be running another Cleveland Marathon race as an ambassador!

Shauna Aylward New

Shauna Aylward

Ambassador since 2022

Shauna was born and raised in Cleveland and has been a runner for 20 years. She mostly ran 5ks and some miles for fun, but her friend convinced her to sign up for the Cleveland Half Marathon in 2014 and she immediately fell in love with distance running. (She may have also been convinced to sign up for her first marathon immediately after this race...). Since then, she has completed over 30 half marathons, 3 marathons, and even dabbled in the ultramarathon territory with a 50k! However, the half marathon will always be her favorite distance. Not only does she enjoy running for the countless mental and physical benefits, but she loves all the friends she has made throughout Cleveland's running community. Shauna participates in the Cleveland Marathon events every year, and is excited to be returning as an ambassador and representing her hometown marathon!

Ambassador Laraun Clayton

LaRaun Clayton

Ambassador since 2022

LaRaun Clayton is a U.S. Army veteran, nonprofit professional, Certified Yoga Instructor, and Lululemon Ambassador. He’s passionate about Cleveland, yoga, CrossFit, running, and traveling with his husband, all while savoring his love for pizza. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Cleveland holds a special place in his heart. Currently, LaRaun serves as the Vice President of Veterans & Housing Programs for Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana.

LaRaun has been an active participant in local 5ks and 10ks for years. He conquered his first Cleveland half-marathon in 2019, where he faced a minor injury but shifted his focus to “Just getting across the finish line.” In 2021, he redeemed himself with a great run and decided that Half-Marathons would become his “thing.” While the Cleveland Full Marathon is on his bucket list, the year of completion remains to be determined – stay tuned for updates.

LaRaun thrives on embracing challenges, driven by the belief that “we can do hard things.” He’s thrilled to return as an ambassador for the 2024 Cleveland Marathon weekend and eager to create more lasting memories with the vibrant community.

Ambassador Matt Drol

Matt Drol

Ambassador since 2022

Matt Drol a.k.a. THE running banana has always been a runner off and on, but in 2016 he started running again to get back in shape. In 2018 to keep the running fun, he started taking to the streets in an aPEELing outfit choice, a banana costume. The Cleveland half marathon was the first race he ran as the banana, since then he has taken on obstacle courses, marathons, countless 5ks and dozens of half marathons. Cleveland always holds a special place to him since it was his first race as the banana, and it always peels good to come back home.

Ambassador Ryan Green

Ryan Green

Ambassador since 2022

Ryan has been running and heavily involved in all sports, since a very young age. Now, a father of three, he is still running around, coaching, and playing sports with them. Ryan has competed in ultramarathons, crossfit competitions, obstacle course racing, collegiate basketball, MMA, and many other athletics. Each year, he competes in his favorite annual race, The Cleveland Marathon.

On the weekends, you can find Ryan running through the streets of Cleveland with the Run With The Winners run group. When not participating in a sport, Ryan is probably watching sports and rooting for the Browns, Guardians or Cavs. If there is any time left in the day, between playing and watching sports, you can find him playing with his dog at the beach because dogs need loving too.

Ambassador Jennifer Boerwinkle

Jennifer Boerwinkle

Ambassador since 2023

Jen has lived in northern Ohio her entire life but didn't start running until 2019, while on a weight loss journey. This ultimately led her to falling in love with the sport and helping her maintain a weight loss of 130 lbs! Jen and her family live south of Cleveland, in Ashland, Ohio, and she spends most of her training runs on gravel roads in the country! Jen loves being a running mom and showing her children what reaching goals can look like, overall health and hard work but also community and friendship. Her family loves to hike and travel, especially to races, and you'll find the kids at finish lines with fresh new signs to cheer on their mom and other runners! Jen has run 5 marathons, many half marathons and 5k races but the full marathon is where her heart remains! She continues running for her physical and mental health but also for just the love of running. Jen would love to see everyone run a race, of any distance, (even just once) to feel the triumph of finishing something so big! Jen believes it is an honor to represent the Cleveland Marathon and is looking forward to being an ambassador for year #2 and running 26.2 miles in May- during the best weekend of the year in CLE!!!!!! Let's Gooooo, Cleveland!

Joanna Consiglio

Ambassador since 2023

Joanna's first marathon was the Cleveland Marathon in 2016. She has currently completed 7 marathons, including the Boston Marathon. She has a marathon PR of 3:00:08 and is actively chasing the coveted sub-3-hour marathon. Joanna believes running has improved every aspect of her life. She has quickly become that person who convinces all her friends and family to sign up for a marathon. She is excited to have several of those people joining her on the streets of Cleveland this May!

Outside of running, Joanna works as a Chiropractor. You can also find her hiking the Metroparks with her husband, Matt, and their dog, Pancake.

Bob Holub

Ambassador since 2023

Bob has been running for about 22 years and super excited to be serving in his second year as a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador! He is a father of two and the proud husband of his marathon running wife, Sarah! Professionally, his work revolves around health & wellness while he serves as the Director of Recreation for the City of Rocky River. Bob has participated in races across the country while living in states from Alabama to Kentucky and some in between. When he's not training for Cleveland, he is on his bike putting in some road miles or preparing for the 200-mile Bourbon Chase in Kentucky!

Gab Kreuz

Ambassador since 2023

Gabriella Kreuz is a freelance sports reporter and host based in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to her on-air roles for the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland 19 News, she is the founder and lead speaker at Love Doesn't Shove. Kreuz makes it a point to use her outgoing personality and passion for teaching to engage with students in meaningful discussion about the dynamics of healthy relationships as a means of dating violence prevention. Kreuz draws from her own experience of violence to help illustrate the importance of recognizing early signs of verbal and physical abuse in relationship contexts.

Kreuz is a graduate of John Carroll University. She ran cross country and track and graduated with a major in communications and minor in sociology. She finished her undergraduate career a 9-time OAC Champion in track and NCAA Division III Cross Country All-American. She earned her master's degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University where she also ran track.

Ambassador Jillian Reyna

Jillian Reyna

Ambassador since 2023

Jillian has been involved in sports since she could walk, and in high school, she found her passion for running and never looked back! In college, Jillian proudly ran as a Zip for The University of Akron. Since college, Jillian has gotten into the road-racing world, running half and full marathons. She also loves to cycle on her Peloton and strength train at CrossFit. Jillian has run four marathons - she has run the Boston Marathon twice, and is planning to run it again this Spring in 2024! She loves all distances, but the half marathon is her favorite! She loves running in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Summit & Cleveland Metroparks for her training. Jillian is a V.O2 Certified Distance Running Coach and owns her own coaching business - Rise & Reign Training and Nutrition! She loves making connections in the running community, bringing people together, and helping them achieve their goals. Jillian is a new girl mom and is so excited to show her daughter how powerful and strong women can be! She looks forward to seeing her daughter along the streets of Cleveland while running this spring. She and her husband, Luis, also have two corgis, Ginger & Zippy, and black cat Tao. She works at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as a Senior Project Specialist.

Ashton Swinford

Ashton Swinford is a 2-time Cleveland Marathon winner (2022, 2023). She enjoys racing all distances, but the marathon is her favorite and her specialty. Ashton loves to support the local running community and prefers racing locally over traveling long distances for running events. She is also a co-captain of the elite female racing team CLE Racing with fellow Cleveland Ambassador Lindsey Fascione. Ashton is a physical therapist but is taking time off from working to primarily be a stay-at-home mom to 5-year-old twins.

LaRoy Arnwine

LaRoy has been a part of the YMCA program “We Run This City” since 2012. He graduated from Glenville High School and has returned, every year, to help train and motivate the youth. In 2022, he became the very first WRTC runner to do a Cleveland Marathon challenge series, with recorded miles of 29.3! LaRoy also enjoys running, biking, swimming, and marching band. When he’s not running, he gives back to his Glenville community by mentoring the Glenville Tarblooders marching band and donating plasma when able to!

Ambassador Corey Turner

Corey Turner Jr.

Corey began his running journey briefly in 2019 with a few fun runs. In 2020, the shutdown put an early closure to his future plans, but this was when he discovered Run with the Winners run club, which set the tone for his running future as he became comfortable with his journey.

Later in 2021, Cory lost 40 pounds and decided to challenge himself with a 10k, and after successfully accomplishing his goal, signed up for another and set a PR. Fresh off the runner's high, he really wanted to put all the hard work to the test and signed up for his first half marathon through the Cleveland Marathon.

He spent 3 months training and in May of 2022, he set out to take on his biggest challenge. It was one of the best moments of his life and really put him in a position to continue growing on this journey. That said, he ran one more half marathon to close out 2022 and wanted to carry the momentum heading into 2023.

Corey signed up for his first full marathon. He was unsure about how he was going to be able to train and prep himself, but he knew that he wasn’t going to back down. He planned out his next 5 months and the big day came. He did better than expected and his mindset wasn’t set on time, but to finish. It was one of his life’s biggest accomplishments. Inspired by such a big feat, Corey wanted to show others this can be done and he’s happy to be representing the Cleveland Marathon in 2024.

He’s a father of three children (Ages 12, 11, and 8) and works retail full-time. During his spare time, he’s actively involved with his children in sports activities and remains active in the gym to maintain his fitness.

Ambassador Kayla Prokop

Kayla Prokop

Just your typical Ohioan? Sure, sure. Running for her is an escape, her therapy, her time to reflect, brainstorm, and just be herself. Kayla loves her Sunday Rundays and she’s a BIG fan of post run donuts and pancakes. Her biggest tip to any runner, new or old, it’s you against you, and just have fun!

Kayla’s a fur mom to cats and a dog. Her pup, Ollie, is finally able to be her running partner (short runs only!)

While Kayla usually runs the Metroparks, she’s looking forward to being an ambassador for the Cleveland Marathon to hopefully explore more areas and branch out!

In 2017, her life was flipped around, and she was diagnosed with several rare autoimmune disorders. She thought her running escape was over. However, she decided “heck no am I going to let this diagnosis stop me”. So here we are several years later, many MANY miles ran, 4 full marathons, countless half’s, 10ks, 5ks, and a family & community she absolutely loves.

The Cleveland Marathon holds a special place in her heart and journey. 2022 it was her comeback run after double pneumonia. 2023, it was he comeback from an unfortunate DNF. And now, 2024 will be yet again her comeback marathon post hip surgery (now entering my bionic women era).

Lindsey Fascione

Lindsey has been a runner for 23 years. In middle school, her father used to take her for runs in the Metroparks and that's where her love for running began. Her passion for running really took off in her late 20's, when she began running for a competitive team called CLE Racing. She has run every distance from the mile to the marathon and achieved her first sub-3-hour marathon in 2021.

Lindsey currently works full-time as a nurse practitioner and coaches some friends on the side part-time. One of her greatest joys in running is seeing her friends succeed. Her first Cleveland Marathon was in 2015 and she plans to return to the full marathon in 2024!

Running is such a metaphor for life, if you can get through a marathon you can get through anything. Lindsey loves this community so much and she cannot imagine her life without it. She hopes to see you all out at the Cleveland Marathon events this year!

Ambassador Tyler Vitullo

Tyler Vitullo

Tyler Vitullo is a dedicated and friendly member of the running community, having discovered his love for running in 2013. Since then, he has completed 12 full marathons, numerous half-marathons, and countless races at other distances. Tyler made his first mark in the Cleveland running scene by running his first half-marathon in 2015 and first full marathon in 2016, both at the Cleveland Marathon. Having recently moved from Youngstown to Cleveland in 2021, Tyler has enjoyed participating in the various local run groups several days a week on a weekly basis where he has not only improved his running skills but also formed lasting friendships.

For Tyler, running isn't just about the competitive aspect; it's about the joy of running with friends regardless of pace or distance, plus enjoying the post-group-run meetups at the local brewery. While he enjoys the thrill of competition in races and aiming for top finishes, Tyler equally finds fulfillment in supporting others to achieve their personal running goals whether it's through training advice, past experiences, or even officially pacing several half marathons.

Tyler has set his sights on completing the 6 Abbott World Marathon Majors already completing the Chicago, New York, Boston, and Berlin Marathons, with London planned for 2024. Although he would love to improve on his new marathon personal best time of 2:38:05 at the 2023 Boston Marathon, Tyler is more excited to help inspire and motivate others to push themselves to their goals in the spring at the 2024 Cleveland Marathon.

Ambassador Ramon Claudio

Ramon Claudio

Ramon is a proud father, devoted husband, and passionate barber and barber instructor. Owning and operating Top of the Line Barbershop in Old Brooklyn, OH, has allowed him to connect with the community and share his expertise.

Running has become an integral part of his life, especially in the early hours of the morning when the world is still asleep. It serves as more than just physical exercise; it has become a crucial component of his mental health routine. After the loss of his best friend, running provided solace and healing.

The Cleveland Marathon holds a special place in his heart as it was the first marathon he ever participated in. At the age of 20, he completed the half marathon, igniting his passion for long-distance running. Now, in his 40s, he is challenging himself to conquer full marathons, striving for personal growth and improvement, but above all, cherishing the incredible feeling of crossing that finish line.

Ramon is excited to represent the Cleveland Marathon as an ambassador, sharing his love for running and inspiring others to embrace the transformative power of this sport. Let's chase our goals together and celebrate the joy of accomplishment!

Top