2027 Board Candidates

Stephanie Fife:

As a career dental assistant, I found myself needing to incorporate exercise into my life more as a way to support my posture and overall health.  I had done a few 'fun runs' over the years, but had not actually considered taking running seriously.  In 2025 I set a goal for myself to do one 5k a month for the year.  I ended up completing 14 total races last year, including my first ever 10k...the Signal Mtn Pie Run.  My husband and I have been members of the CTC for a couple of years now, and that 10k would not have ever happened for me had it not been for the support, and persuasion (you know who you are), of the CTC community.  We have both made many friends within the community and are looking forward to meeting more members.  Aside from running multiple races, I have also had the privilege of volunteering for the Wauhatchie Trail Race for the past couple of years, and look forward to more volunteer opportunities coming soon.

Unfortunately, a knee injury, and subsequent surgery, took me out of running races for the 2026 season, but I am looking forward to getting back into it soon.  I even have a goal (bucket list item) of running a 10k at Disney World next October.   The exercise I have been doing for the past couple of years truly helped me recover better and faster after surgery.  It makes me want to continue taking my health seriously and prove that I can do more than what I thought I could.

While I may not be the most experienced runner,  I would be honored to give back to the running community that has done so much for me and for this town.  I hope to be able to bring a fresh perspective for those that may not be the most experienced runners, those that love to volunteer, and those that love to cheer others on.  I have learned over the years that even just being there to support others is just as important as those PR's that we chase.

Jen Fultz:

Jen Fultz works as a National Accounts Program Coordinator and has a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Purdue University Northwest. She’s lived in Chattanooga for nearly five years, and in November 2025, she founded Chatta City Runners to bring people together through running, with a main focus of supporting local businesses and welcoming newcomers to Chattanooga. Jen organizes the club’s meetups, routes, and social media with a goal of making events feel approachable and safe for all. The club also partners with nonprofits, including a recent shoe drive that collected over 30 pairs of shoes for Partnership FCA’s domestic violence shelter.

Daniel Krell:

My name is Daniel Krell, and I ran my first marathon in 2023. Since then, running has become a big part of my life, and I've set a personal goal of completing 100 marathons. I especially enjoy serving as a marathon pacer, helping other runners reach their goals and celebrating their accomplishments along the way. Through running, I've developed a strong appreciation for the friendships, encouragement, and sense of community that the sport brings. I'm excited about the opportunity to serve on the Chattanooga Track Club Board of Directors and help support the races, programs, and experiences that bring our local running community together.

Mindy Sanders:

I’m a mom of three boys, marathoner, and certified RRCA Coach who believes running can be so much more than mile splits and beating the competition.

My running journey began in 2009 when I trained for a half marathon to raise money for my oldest son, who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. That experience inspired me to complete several half marathons and raise funds to support other local Neuroblastoma families.

After stepping away from running in 2013 to focus on family and business, I found my way back during the pandemic. What started as a goal to run a half marathon without knee pain or losing my love for running quickly became a source of stress relief, confidence, and renewed purpose. On a random Wednesday in the spring of 2021, I beat my time goal of running a half marathon in under 2 hours. I then decided it was time to tackle the full marathon. I completed the Chattanooga marathon in the fall of 2021 with my family relaying along.

My next goal became completing all six World Marathon Majors before turning 50. I reached that goal in March at the Tokyo Marathon, at age 48.

I became an RRCA run coach in 2025 and my goal now is to help others find the joy and community in running and crushing their own goals.

Stephanie Lamar:

I have not always been a runner.  In fact, during my childhood, I never considered myself an athlete of any type.  After college graduation, I moved to Boston and I caught the running bug after spectating the 2002 Boston Marathon.  I was in awe and within a few weeks I had registered for my first ever race(!)- the Ocean State Marathon! I ran that marathon in the Fall of 2002 with my Dad and my now husband and it was one of the most challenging and humbling experiences of my life. 

I have been running since 2002 although not always consistently.  I took a break from running during both of my pregnancies and also when my life changed suddenly in 2011 when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  I struggled through my symptoms and my treatment journey mourning the loss of my former self.  After a few years, as I started to feel better and my symptoms became manageable, I found my way back to running.  I now see running as an integral part of my treatment plan and I will forever be grateful for the physical and mental therapy it provides.

I moved to Chattanooga in 2017 and became involved in the Chattanooga Track Club in 2022.  My introduction to CTC came from running with the most wonderful group of women who hold up each other, challenge each other, and cheer each other on.  From their support and encouragement, I found my way back to the Marathon after 20 years and ran a PR in Houston in 2024!  Diving deep back into running also opened a new door in my career as a dietitian.  I now focus my work on sports nutrition, coaching athletes to fuel themselves for their best performance.

I am deeply indebted to the sport and community of running.  I have served on multiple school and nonprofit boards and I would be honored and humbled to bring my service to the Chattanooga Track Team Board.

Jimmy McGinness:

My first exposure to the CTC was so long ago that admittedly, I took the club for granted. My first road race was in the mid-1970's at the 10 mile Chickamauga Chase. This familiar 10 mile loop was a 'staple' for marathon training for me and countless others. With a 50+ year history, the CTC should be proud to be one of the pioneers in promoting a healthy lifestyle in our community and to be one of the premier running clubs in the southeast. To be a part of this club, with such rich heritage, that provides fun, nurtures camaraderie, hosts events, etc. is a worthwhile and gratifying pursuit.

Karen Leavitt:

I moved to Chattanooga in April 2015 with my husband and, almost immediately, joined the CTC and then ran the Chickamauga Chase 15K. I started running with the YMCA group on Saturday mornings that July and quickly met quite a few club members. Over the past 11 years, I have gotten more involved in the club – both running in the races and volunteering. I have been co-race director for the Missionary Ridge Road Race the past 2 years. I have also been more intentional with helping coordinate volunteers for the various races and been on the Membership Committee the past year or so.

I have been running over 50 years. I started in high school (just track, they didn’t have a cross-country team yet) and was a walk-on in college. I was honored this past year to have been inducted into both my high school and college Athletic Hall of Fames (college was the track team, not individually). I honestly thought I would be done running after I graduated from college but ended up running my first marathon the week after my last track meet. I won a huge statue and a color TV set and realized road racing was in my future! I had moved home for the summer so joined the local running club – and found great camaraderie (much like in the CTC today). Every time I moved to a new city, I found the local running club and got plugged in – training, racing, volunteering and even race directing.

Even though “they” say distance running is a lonely sport, I have benefitted greatly from being able to find people to train with through groups like the CTC. I was able to have good success over the years – qualifying for, and competing in, the Olympic Marathon Trials (1988). Since I have slowed down as I’ve aged, I’ve set other goals - and recently completed running a race in every state. My last state was Colorado and a group of eighteen friends, mostly fellow CTC members, celebrated there!

I love encouraging other runners. Anyone can improve their running, no matter what their age. We do have a responsibility though to help the younger generation. If elected to the board, I would continue helping grow the youth running programs (track and XC) and work towards finding more ways for runners in Chattanooga to connect with one another. Additionally, the club puts on excellent races that are not always well attended. I will work towards increasing awareness of these gems.