Rich Eckhart, Coordinator

Rich joined DC Front Runners shortly after moving to the DC Metro Area. Rich was so eager to join DCFR that he became a member before he even tried his first run with the club. Hailing from Colorado, most of Rich’s family does not live on the East Coast and he considers the DC Front Runners his second family. As Coordinator, Rich’s goal is to make everyone feel welcome, increase the DC Front Runner swag, promote our visibility in our community, and make our Spring Fling a more popular event again.

David Thews, Walking Coordinator

David has been walking with the DC Front Walkers since finding the group via a Google search in December 2007. As the Walking Coordinator, he leads the walkers--both new and veteran--on the Saturday morning and Tuesday evening walks and advocates for the interests of the walkers at board meetings. He has enjoyed the many conversations with fellow walkers out on the trail over the past several years and appreciates the many friendships that have developed with the walkers and runners in the DC Front Runners!

Susanna McDonald, Treasurer

Susanna joined the DC Front Runners in 2009 as part of a larger plan to keep up the motivation for running and get in better shape. Happily, she can report that she accomplished both and made deep and life-long friendships along the way. Her running has improved dramatically and her current goals include finishing her first half-marathon in 2012 – as long as she can avoid falling down stairs and getting hit by minivans. Thankfully, the club offers wonderful social activities to help the injured runner recoup. Susanna’s favorite injured list activity is to support her fellow DC Front Runners on their marathon runs in exotic locations like Reykjavik, Iceland and Cologne, Germany. As the club treasurer, her duties include preparing the budget, overseeing club expenses and assisting the other board members in in moving this wonderful organization to greater heights.

Murray Scheel, Secretary/Archivist

Murray is a long-time member of the club, happy to be serving now on the board as secretary. He lives in Foggy Bottom with his partner Brian Crane, and works as an attorney in a medium-sized civil litigation firm in Rockville, Maryland. Murray first started running for health reasons, then came to really enjoy running for its own sake. Some of his best club memories are long distance training runs with various club members over the years. He also enjoy theater and going out dancing, especially with other DC Front Runners! 

Brian Beary, Race Co-Director

Brian joined the club in August 2006 after moving to Washington from Brussels. Brian enjoys the social and athletic parts of the club in equal measure and is happiest when dashing through Rock Creek Park on a crisp, sunny winter's morning. A journalist by trade, Brian writes monthly profiles of members and recently co-produced a documentary film, Fast Forward, for the club's 30th anniversary, with webmaster Marcel Acosta. An avid participant in the race circuit, Brian looks forward to fulfilling his race directorship duties for the coming year.

Seth Kalish, Race Co-Director

Seth joined DC Front Runners in 2002 with the hopes of meeting new people and keeping up with his moderate running activities. He was soon making lots of great friends in the group while pushing himself toward being a better runner, prompted by fellow runners to strive for longer distances.  He found himself increasingly drawn to the social aspects of the club: parties, monthly happy hours, outreach efforts and Pride events — working on designs for the club's Pride floats, dancing with its parade contingent and designing a club t-shirt.  After serving as the club's Coordinator for two years, Seth is excited now to be serving a third year as Race Co-Director, encouraging members' participation in road races and touting their running achievements.

Laura Bellis, Women’s Outreach Coordinator

COMING SOON!

Conrad Zeutenhorst, Men’s Outreach Coordinator

Conrad joined the Front Runner organization in Seattle in spring 2009. His positive experience with the group there led him to sign up with DC Front Runners upon returning to Washington D.C.  He enjoys the camaraderie of beautiful runs along the Mall and Potomac, challenging himself to participate in races, and making good friends with Runners of all ages and backgrounds. His roles as Pride float designer and drag queen runner inspired him to become more involved with the club. As Male Outreach Coordinator, Conrad is enthusiastic about promoting the DC Front Runners to the greater LGBT community, and looks forward to supporting his fellow queer athletes!

Rudy Reyns, Membership Coordinator

Rudy moved to DC in early 2006 and joined the DC Front Runners to meet new people in the area. You'll see him at our well-attended Saturday morning runs and our Friday night happy hours! Rudy prefers half-marathons and sprint triathlons. He handles membership services for the club, including new and returning member registration, the club’s membership directory, and weekly member e-mail announcements.