Meet the OTRA Members (A list of current members.
We’re a lazy bunch (for the most part) so don’t expect a pic or bio from the whole crew!
And whatever you do, don’t read the bios and decide that you don’t belong cause some of the folks have done a ton of races. It just means they’re really old. And if you join us now, regardless of how many events you have done, some day you will be old too and the list will be long!
Shay Beatty
Eric Cayot
Cindy Lutrell
Matt Lutrell
Keith McCombs
Don Pendergraft
Nancy Shidler
Brandi Salsman
Janice Smith
Corinne Young
Jennifer Henry
Larry Rubeustein
Melaina Brunk
Tony Howard
Henry Bickerstaff
I started running 5Ks in 1988. The same year my son, age 7, started to run races with me. The following year my daughter joined in the fun at 6 years old. For the next 14 years, we would run only 5Ks with an occasional 10K. This worked well as we were constantly traveling for them to participate in triathlons and I had no desire to run farther than a 10K. In 2002 that changed when a friend asked me to run Pikes Peak Ascent with him.
The Ascent opened my eyes to the possibility that I could run a marathon. In 2004, at 50 years old, I ran my first marathon, OKC Memorial. I was hooked on the longer distances. In 2005, I ran the 50K at Palo Duro. I had no clue as to what I was doing. I ran in my training flats, did not carry a water bottle or a flashlight. I ran as fast as I could for as long as I could. There were no fast people in the race and I finished second overall in 5:04:43. A feat I have never come close to duplicating.
In 2006, I ventured out a little further and ran the double at Pikes Peak. Then in 2009, I almost bit off more than I could chew and ran the 100K at Bandera. Bret Sholar and Steve Tanio made sure I finished. They are great running buddies. The 50 miler at Grasslands in 2009, was probably the best race I have ever run. (9:38:35) I felt good all day. Steve Tanio had run Western States in 2009 and talked me into entering the lottery for 2010. He told me there was very little chance of being selected. He was wrong. I got my chance to run Western States 100 in 2010 and finished my first 100 miler. This race taught me a lot about training and race preparation and gave me tremendous confidence in the ability to run. I look for new courses and new challenges in the future.
Maurice Lee
I started running in 2005 at the age of 52 just to keep in shape, and hold down my weight. I ran mostly on the treadmill until I decided to run a small town 5k. I won the masters division (I didn’t even know what that meant) and was hooked on running outdoors. I got interested in trail running after running the Sooner State Trail 12k in 2007. My first ultra was Palo Duro 50k in Oct. 2007. I saw Keith McCombs at the campground after my first loop. I still remember how good it felt when I started back out on my second loop, was close to the road, and a group of OTRA members in a van yelled out my name and encouragement. I still run more road races than trail but am starting to incorporate more trail running into my training.
Julie Dolph (Our Current VP)
After pounding the pavement for years, I discovered the joys of trail running and have never looked back. Spending a day in the woods running on singletrack is an ideal day for me! Some races I’ve ran include:
Isle du Bois 50K (Pilot Point, TX)
Palo Duro 50K (Amarillo, TX)
Lake McMurtry 50K (Stillwater, OK)
Rockledge Rumble 30K (Grapevine, TX)
Double Dirty Dozen 6 Hour
Forest Park Trail Run (Portland, OR)
Psyco Psummer Run Toto Run 15 mile (Kansas City, KS)
Little Grand Canyon Half Marathon (Price, Utah)
Keith McCombs
Keith began his running career after becoming an accomplished walker. Yes that is correct! After 42 years of walking to get from point A to point B, Keith realized that running will get you there faster. So in 2002 Keith began running the local trails in the OKC area. This led to trail running events in Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. Keith enjoys running events such as Pikes Peak, Palo Duro Canyon, Lake McMurtry, The Dan Man, Oklahoma City Memorial, World Run Day etc…
Keith also enjoys giving back to the running community. He offers assistance to many local race events. He also acts as Assistant Race Director and Logistics Coordinator for the Oklahoma Redman Triathlon, and is the former President of our fun group!
Katharine Cranwell Miller (Our Current Prez)
I’ve been running for about 23 years. Wait, I can’t possibly be that old! I started with the 5 and 10K’s. Once I got up to a 30K I knew it was time for a marathon. I’ve been running far ever since.
I remember my first trail run. It was Sullivan Canyon in Los Angeles. One of my running partners took me up there on our mountain bikes for cross-training. Half-way up I suggested we run it instead. We stashed our bikes in the trees and tackled the canyon on foot.
I love trail running! 95% of my running is on the trails. You’ll find me on the pavement only when it’s too wet.
Events I’ve participated in:
Los Angeles Marathon
Seattle Marathon
OKC Memorial Marathon
Andy Payne Marathon
Columbia River Gorge Marathon
Palo Duro 50K (3 times)
Redman Marathon (that would be after swimming 2.4 miles and cycling 112)
Other Cool Stuff:
Redman Medical Director 2005
TanKa Tri Co-Founder and Co-Director
Winter Solstice Half Marathon Hostess
Founder and RD for GreenPeople Trail Run!
Bret Sholar
Running career began on the road. Expanded resume’ to include road triathlons and duathlons.
Finished six (6) road marathons and too many local road races to count.
Discovered trail running in 2003 with the Palo Duro 20K.
My real passion (other than my sexy wife) is Ultrarunning. The more challenging the better (just like my wife).
Since then I have run:
Palo Duro 50K (2)
Pikes Peak Marathon
Lake Thunderbird Xterra Triathlon
Grasslands 50 Mile (2)
DanMan 50 Mile (2)
Toe Stumpin 5-Mile Trail Run
Lake McMurtry 25K, 50K
Rocky Raccoon 50K
SunMart 50K
Sooner State Games Trail 12K
A-OK 50K
San Juan Solstice 50 Mile (2)-favorite event
Texas State Championship Adventure Race with Dave Wood
Turkey and TATURS 50K
Mother Road 100
Other Stuff:
Race Director: Draper Lake Duathlon since 2004
Run Director: REDMAN Triathlon since 2005
Co-Race Director: Mother Road 100, 100.2, 100.3
USATriathlon Certified Official (CAT2)
TRI-OKC Director (05-10)
“Great is the road I climb, but the garland
offered by an easier effort is not worth the gathering.”
Melissa Stone
I became a trail runner 3 years ago after pounding the pavement for over 10 years doing 5 and 10K runs.
I did my first (and only to date) marathon in’ 05, Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.
I also throw in a few duathlons a few times a year, just for fun.
My other accomplishments to date are:
Palo Duro 20K- ’05, ’06
Rockledge Rumble 10K- ’04
The Half, Dallas- ’04
Team- Redman Half Iron Distance Triathlon ’06
LMTR 25K- ’07- 4 months after knee surgery (that one hurt a bit).
Lean Horse 50K – ’07 (1st Place AG)
Bill West
Bill has run about 20 road marathons and each time swears its the last! He is a reluctant trail runner but since he is a great husband he does humor me by doing trail runs. He has done McMurtry and Atoka. We have a contest to see who can fall the most. He says he is an ultra runner, ultra stupid for doing it. Actually, Bill in his hayday was a really fast runner. Now he slogs along with me and the dog. When he is not riding his tractor,weedeating, chainsawing, shoveling llama poop or grinding away as a CPA, you will see him RUNNING.
Sometimes he even gets to lay in the hammock! But not often. He is the busiest and hardest working guy I know!
(Written by his loving wife Jane)
Jane Hresko West
Jane is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Full of more help, energy and volunteerism than two people!
Great athlete and Great freind!
David Wood
Been hooked since crewing for a buddy at the Pike’s Peak Marathon in 2001.
Partial listing of events to date:
02, 03’, 04’, 06’ Palo Duro 20K
02’, 03’ Pikes Peak Ascent
04’ Pikes Peak Marathon
04’ Lake McMurtry 25K
03′, 04’ Grasslands
05’ Rocky Raccoon 25K
06’, 07′, 08′ Dan Man
06’ Sooner State Games 12K
06′ Texas State Championship Adventure Race (w/ Bret Sholar)
07′ Nearly New Year Run
07′, 08′, 10′ Barkley Book Fair (Gotta do this!!!!!)
08′ Texas Independence Relay (had a blast!!)
See link: http://teampirana.com/?cat=3
08′ Heartland 50 Miler
Other stuff
Race Director, Redman Triathlon
Founder, Oklahoma Trail Running Association
Peggy Wood
I started trail running in 2006 primarily because Dave enjoyed it. Now I am seriously hooked and recommend trail running to everyone. Besides communing with nature, the best thing about trail running is other trail runners! My trail running buddies encouraged / pushed me to run further than I ever thought possible.
Some of her accomplishments to date:
Dan Man – 18 miles
Crosstimbers Half-Marathon
LMTR 25K
Pikes Peak Ascent
Sunmart 50 k
Heartland 50 miler
