Dan Puskar, Coordinator

Dan joined DC Front Runners in 2008 and has enjoyed becoming a member of this amazing community. An avid hiker who ran cross-country in high school, it nonetheless took him a long time to understand why running more than three miles was a good idea. Because of his DC Front Runner friends Dan is running faster, competing in circuit races and dressing like an astronaut at Pride. He is honored by the opportunity to help lead this group and grateful for his fiercely talented fellow board members.

John Noran, Walking Coordinator

John became a DC Front Walker in 2001 and was elected Walking Coordinator in 2003. In spite of his promise to run a vicious smear campaign against himself if anyone else agreed to run, he is now beginning his sixth year unopposed. Along with championing our increasingly popular walking circuit—now in its fifth year—John is spearheading the DCFR Memorial Grove restoration project in Rock Creek Park.

Larry Sternbane, Treasurer

Larry joined DCFR in 2004 shortly after moving here from Arizona.  He has been a runner since his junior high school days (just a few years ago). Larry was elected class treasurer during sophomore year in high school, and so is well prepared for his duties overseeing DCFR finances. (And yes, he is also prepared to ask for a BIG government bailout when the club’s finances tank)!

Brian Beary, Secretary/Archivist

Brian has been an ardent DC Front Runner since first joining in August 2006 after moving to Washington from Brussels. He enjoys the social and athletic parts of the club in equal measure and is never happier than when dashing through Rock Creek park on a crisp and sunny winter's morning (he loves cold, but then he is Irish). He has also been know to wax lyrical after some light libations at happy hour (again, he is Irish). In his role of secretary, Brian is delighted to have the chance to give something back to the club that his given him so much.

Jeff Gonzalez, Race Co-Director

Shortly after moving to DC in January 2007, Jeff joined DC Front Runners as a way to meet new people, discover new places to run around the area, and find the motivation to train for another marathon. Jeff attends runs on a regular basis and NEVER misses a club Happy Hour (is it the first Friday of the month, yet?)! Since he's had so much fun being a part of the club, he is happy to lend his mathematical abilities in tabulating the Race Circuit results!

Seth Kalish, Race Co-Director

Seth joined DC Front Runners in 2002, after years of running on his own listening to his cassette Walkman. He quickly discovered the athletic benefits of running with others and the social pleasures of club happy hours. Running with the group, he says, has pushed him to become a much better runner and participate in competitive races—as well as introduced him to a great group of new friends. After serving as Coordinator for two years, Seth is excited to be helping out with touting members' Race Circuit accomplishments.

Blake Rushin, Women’s Outreach Coordinator and Training Coach

Blake has been a member of DC Front Runners since 2000 and has served as Outreach Coordinator for the past four years. She is an active circuit racer for the club and and coaches the club’s 5K race training program for beginners. She will continue to both promote DCFR in the LGBT community to increase membership, especially among women, and encourage more people in our community to give running a try!

Andrés Gómez-Peña, Men’s Outreach Coordinator

After moving to DC from Colombia seven years ago and gaining 40 pounds while sitting behind a desk for 60 hours a week, Andrés was encouraged by two friends to get into shape. In February 2009, he Googled™ “DC+Running+Gay” and found DC Front Runners. Andrés not only joined a running club, but made an amazing group of friends. After finishing a few races, going to happy hours, and participating in the Capital Pride Parade, Andrés wanted more people to discover the joys of being a Front Runner and will spread the word as Outreach Coordinator!

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.

Orlando Adan, Apparel Diva

In his fifth year as the club’s fashionista and apparel coordinator, Orlando has been a member of DC Front Runners since the summer of 1998. He was an enthusiastic runner since high school and now is a regular Saturday morning DC Front Walker. He has been a spin instructor for ten years. Orlando participated in the club’s 5K training program last year and finished the DCFR Race Circuit in 2009!

Christopher Hook, Newsletter Editor

Chris moved to DC in 2004 and after rowing with DC Strokes for several years, was brought over to the "land based" exercise world of running by fellow Front Runner marathoner, Jacques Lecuyer.  After completing his first marathon in 2006--Jacques said it would be easy--he's been hooked on running ever since.  Chris joined the Front Runners in 2007 without even realizing he had almost completed the racing circuit.  Having written newsletters for DC Strokes for several years, he looks forward to producing high quality FrontPages in the years to come.