Lead, Inspire, and Represent

Meet the 2026 Run Celina Ambassadors

We're excited to introduce our 2026 Run Celina Ambassadors! Meet a passionate group of runners and walkers who proudly represent Run Celina throughout our community.

These ambassadors share our love for running, walking, and inspiring others to stay active. Throughout the year, they'll be helping spread the joy of movement, promote fitness, and connect runners across Celina, Prosper, Van Alstyne, Valley View, and surrounding areas.

As representatives of the Run Celina mission, our ambassadors play a key role in building a healthy, welcoming, and active community. You'll see them out on the course, at local events, and cheering others on; often rocking exclusive Run Celina gear and enjoying ambassador perks along the way.

We're grateful for their commitment, energy, and heart for the running community. Be sure to follow along and show them some love as they help make 2026 another great year for Run Celina!

Clare Barnard

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: Celina, TX

⌛Running Experience: 6 years in middle school and high school, a 10 year hiatus and now back at it again for the last year and a half

👟Go-To Shoes: Hoka Mach 6 but really it’s the insole that makes the most of a difference in my opinion

🎒Running Must-Have: headphones and audiobooks, a good hat, and a water bottle for long runs

❤️Why I Run: I started running when I couldn’t control and manage my stress and anxiety on my own anymore. It’s my alone time and I feel cooped up and stir-crazy if I go too long in between runs.

💭Best Running Advice: Progress over perfection

✨Off the Course: I am a wife, a mom of two boys and a STEAM teacher at Vasquez Elementary. My house is always loud and crazy! I love a hot cup of coffee and a good book. But I often find myself binge-watching my favorite shows over and over again.

Kelly Baker

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: DFW Area, TX
⌛Running Experience: I've been running since 2023; 3 years total this year!

👟Go-To Shoes: ASICS Gel Nimbus & ASICS Novablasts

🎒Running Must-Have: A hat at most times, gogo squeez active for long runs, pretty sunrises and a cute outfit!

❤️Why I Run: I run to move my body and to glorify God! He has given me this body to glorify His Kingdom, so I need to move it and use it in a way that honors Him! Running helps me clear my mind and is a fun way to explore new places!
💭Best Running Advice: In order to speed up, you will have to slow down. I've focused on lowering my heart rate on easy runs and upping my heart rate on speed days!

✨Off the Course: A wife to my husband Drew, a DFW Content Creator & Foodie (@peanut_butter_kelly_eats) and Believer of Jesus!

Lauren Bricker

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: Celina, TX
⌛Running Experience: 15 Years of Running

👟Go-To Shoes: Altra Escalante for road and Altra Lone Peak for trails

🎒Running Must-Have: Junk brand headband, Nathan handheld water bottle or vest, and I'm always wearing my Garmin watch!

❤️Why I Run: My "why" is always changing. I run for general health, happiness and fitness, fun with friends and social time, peace and meditation when alone, and also to attain goals which I set for myself.
💭Best Running Advice: We are capable of so much more than we realize. Regular exercise will help you feel better in so many ways. The running community is very inclusive and supportive!

✨Off the Course: I'm a mom of 3, Registered Nurse, love the long distances!

Jessica Bunn

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: Celina, TX
⌛Running Experience: I started running shortly after my brother died, in 2020. He was a Track and XC Runner!

👟Go-To Shoes: Hoka Bondi 8 or Saucony Ride

🎒Running Must-Have: Good headphones and music!

❤️Why I Run: I run in memory of my brother who died by suicide in 2020.
💭Best Running Advice: Don't worry about times. Focus on You vs. You. 1 mile at 6 minutes vs 20 minutes is still 1 mile.

✨Off the Course: I am a working mom of 2 amazing kids. I've been married to my husband Drew for almost 9 years.

Doug Cassaro

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: McKinney, TX
⌛Running Experience: 20 years of running experience

👟Go-To Shoes: Altra - rotating between the Torin and Flow Experience

🎒Running Must-Have: Good socks. Lots of salt and water on hot days.

❤️Why I Run: I love the primal feeling I get when running. Running is such a simple act, but it will absolutely humble you to your core.
💭Best Running Advice: Don't compare yourself to others. Be proud of your accomplishments, but don't let them define you.

✨Off the Course: Husband, Dad, Aviation Nerd, and Coffee Aficionado.

Jera Crandall

Instagram

📍Location: Allen, TX

⌛Running Experience: Competitively running, 1 year and 2 months

👟Go-To Shoes: On Cloud and ASICS, Plated and non-Plated

🎒Running Must-Have: Runs over 6 miles, my soft bottle w/ either electrolytes or carb drink mix w/ electrolytes. My phone on the majority of runs for safety reasons.

❤️Why I Run: I run not only because I love it, but I run now to help myself cope with grieving the loss of my dad. Unquoted, but he told me to just keep running.
💭Best Running Advice: The only rules are just don't give up and to love the grind!

✨Off the Course: Mental Health Advocate. Student. Daughter. Chronic Illness Fighter.

Troy Francis

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: Bells, TX
⌛Running Experience: Started running in 2019

👟Go-To Shoes: I like ASICS Superblast for training and Adidas Adizero Pro for racing.

🎒Running Must-Have: I have to have my watch and some music.

❤️Why I Run: I run for my health and my anxiety.
💭Best Running Advice: Never this "I can't". Running is mostly a mindset thing. You control your mind.

✨Off the Course: My wife and I enjoy going to the movies every Saturday night. I have been driving eighteen wheelers since 1993. On Sunday morning, you will most likely find us in church!

Jordan Hansen

Instagram

📍Location: Prosper, TX
⌛Running Experience: Started running in 2020, 6 years of running experience.

👟Go-To Shoes: Brooks Ghost or ASICS Gel

🎒Running Must-Have: My FlipBelt! It holds my phone and keys without being bulky.

❤️Why I Run: It gives me space to breathe and reset. As a working mom, much of my day is spent showing up for others, and running is one of the few things that is just for me. It helps me clear my head, manage stress, and return to my family and career feeling more grounded.
💭Best Running Advice: Just Start! You don't need the perfect plan, pace, or gear. Start where you are, take it one step at a time, and let consistency do the rest.

✨Off the Course: I'm a mom of two, a wife, and a full-time professional. Life is busy and full, and outside of running I love spending time with my family and baking - it's one of my favorite ways to slow down and unwind.

Muthu Kandasamy

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: Plano, TX
⌛Running Experience: 9 Years and 2 Months

👟Go-To Shoes: Saucony Freedom/Kinvara for training and Endorphin Pro for races.

🎒Running Must-Have: Music if I run alone.

❤️Why I Run: Hard to explain but "the feel" at the end of every run - I am addicted.
💭Best Running Advice: You need variety in your training runs to have fun and see improvement.

✨Off the Course: When I'm not running, you'll find me traveling, chasing new food experiences, and escaping into the wilderness for quiet moments of reflection and balance. #RunWithMuthu

Kim Kirchner

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: McKinney, TX (Native Texan)
⌛Running Experience: 14 Years

👟Go-To Shoes: New Balance Super Comp Elites

🎒Running Must-Have: ChicknLegs shorts are a must, along with shades, a strong playlist, and sunshine.

❤️Why I Run: Fitness-cardio is very important for heart health, community; some of my best friends are from the running community, stress relief-fitness is the best for reducing stress and anxiety.
💭Best Running Advice: It is about finish lines, not finish times. Make finishing injury free your top priority.

✨Off the Course: Boy Mom. Coffee Lover. Enjoys rucking and hiking outside of running, the dog and cats rule the house!

Keikoanne Norcross

Facebook | Instagram

📍Location: Celina, TX
⌛Running Experience: I started running in middle school and ran competitively at the D1 level in college.

👟Go-To Shoes: ASICS Gel Kayano

🎒Running Must-Have: Good socks, a trail in the woods (although that's hard to find in NTX), and preferably a friend to chat with!

❤️Why I Run: It makes me a calmer, happier person 🙂
💭Best Running Advice: Just go for the run!

✨Off the Course: Stay at home Mom, Celina Mom Walk Collective Host, reading a book whenever I have spare time!

Ambassador Benefits

Discount codes for friends, family, and followers
Run Celina-branded training shirt
Social media shout-outs and website recognition
Free race entry for key events (Turkey Trot, Grinch Gallop, Resolution Run)

Ambassador Expectations

Volunteer at at least one race event (packet pickup, course setup/takedown)
Share one training run/walk per week on social media, tagging Run Celina
Distribute flyers for upcoming races in your hometown
Be positive, helpful, and promote Run Celina events

Join Our Ambassador Team

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