2023 Race Ambassadors
The Statesman Capitol 10,000, presented by Baylor Scott & White Health, is pleased to announce 21 local running enthusiasts as race ambassadors and brand representatives for the 46th race on April 16, 2023.
“The Cap10K is about community and commitment. So who better to represent our 46th race than 21 inspirational members of Austin’s running community,” said Jeff Simecek, Cap10K race director. “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with local runners who are outgoing, fitness-minded, and socially active individuals. They will bring their respective areas of expertise to our race.”
NINA JENZEN
I started running in 2018 and I quickly found the Pfun Runners group in Pflugerville. They are a local running group that meets up at West Pecan Coffee every Saturday. I have met many friends through the group and they hold me accountable to move my body.
LAUREN BEATO
I started running after my friend convinced me to sign up for a half marathon and then no-showed on race day. The race was absolutely electric and I signed up for more races. In 2019, I joined my running group Rise and Run South Austin and the rest is history. What was once a couple events a year is now part of my daily routine.
LIZA KATE WALL
My name is “Liza Kate.” It is a double name. I am originally from North Carolina, where I grew up the middle child of nine children in an active home. I played sports until I graduated college and adopted running along the way. For my Mom’s 50th Birthday, she decided to run a 50K so I signed up with her and we began to train. It was a fun bonding experience that launched me into running more seriously. I moved to Austin 5 years ago for work and met my best friends here through running, too. I love to run because it has provided me exercise, release and stability. Most importantly, running has built and strengthened my relationships especially with my Mom.
ROBERT CLEMONS
I have always been involved in sports and running as part of staying active. Now that I am older; my running has idled down to walking which still helps me to be able to do things that I enjoy. The Cap10K is a great way to be active and see/meet the people of Austin.
SHARON CLEMONS
Running has always brought me joy. These days, I am forced to mostly walk after (3) Achilles surgeries but still look forward to attending the races to stay active and for the routes and the camaraderie.
NICOLE RAUCH-WINTER
My name is Nicole, I am a marathon runner and all around sweat enthusiast. I started running just before my freshman year of college after hating it for years, now I can’t imagine my life without it. I have my marathoner runner mom to thank for all the inspiration to continue running, and now I love signing up for races to have something to always work towards.
CASSANDRA MEDRANO
I started running in 1999 after a challenge to complete a mile at Camp Mabry. I caught the running bug that ignited me to start training for a marathon right then. Today, after completing over 35 marathons, 50 half marathons, and many Cap10ks, I am addicted to the thrill of running. You can find me running the streets of Austin most days of the week with an amazing group of women that I have surrounded myself with that also have a passion for running. I run for the workout, social enjoyment, and love the Austin running community.
IAN PARMITER
I am currently the Running Ambassador at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Cedar Park Texas, where I help athletes with a personalized approach to gait analysis, running shoe/gear fittings and training tips.
I started running by doing a 10 mile race with a friend in Central Park in Manhattan and got hooked. Over 40 years now, I’ve run over 400 races, from a mile to a Marathon, including 8 New York Marathons. I’ve also done competitive runs up tall buildings, trails and even horse racing tracks.
My passion now is helping others get into running for the health, well-being and social benefits. I am currently coaching a group for Austin Runners Club.
My 2022 races include the Capitol 10K in Austin, Pittsburgh Half Marathon and Zilker Relays. I also really enjoy long distance relays and just finished Hood to Coast in Oregon and will do Ragnar Reach the Beach in New Hampshire mid Sept 2022.
CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ
I was inactive for many years until 2019 when I rediscovered that I liked running. I joined several running groups, including Sports Bra Squad, Rise and Run South Austin, and ATX Runners. Their energies were contagious. Long story short 9 months after I started running with these groups, I ran my 1st half marathon in February 2020.
Now, I run for fun. Running clears my head, heals my heart, and lifts my spirit. Running brought great people into my life and I look forward to attending races with my running friends and enjoying the surroundings.
AIRON ANDREWS
I am a native Austinite and avid endurance athlete. I am a Customer Experience Strategist and a certified RRCA running coach. I participate in various running, biking, and triathlon events. The Cap10K was the first organized race that I participated in at the age of 8 in 1988. I have subsequently run the Cap10K so many times I have lost count. I enjoy running to set a goal and training to achieve it. I also love running races to earn the medals. I am registered for the Austin Distance Challenge half track in 2022-2023. This is my 10+ year to run the Cap10K. I am proud to be an ambassador to promote the Cap10K.
THIEN NGUYEN
My story on running is about overcoming what I feared-> before 2015, I did not think I could run long distances. Thanks to my brother encouraging me to sign up for my first half marathon and then training with me, I conquered my own self-doubt. Since then, running has brought confidence, joy, friends, and good health to my life. Sharing a quote that has driven me to run, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” (Eleanor R.) Hopefully, this motivates you to pound the pavement and enjoy the same benefits, see you out there.
AMBER HILLANBRAND
I love running! Being outdoors, feeling the rhythm of my breath, exploring the world, and helping to reunite lost dogs with their humans – running brings countless opportunities for joy! Over the years, I have done (and still do) many races: team relays, obstacles, tris, 5ks, 10ks, halfs, and one marathon. I am a mentor for Fleet Feet Round Rock’s 5k training program and seeing peoples’ mindset shift from ‘I could never run a mile’ to ‘it’s only 3.1 miles’ never ceases to make me smile. Like Kathrine Switzer said, “Life is for participating, not for spectating” and I feel very blessed to be a Cap10Ks Ambassador and help grow our running community.
SABRINA NYITRAI
I started running in the fall of 2016, after attending a few of Fleet Feet’s social run/walk events with a good friend. She had been thinking about getting back into running and I thought “why not try it out”. Little did I know how important running would become to me. Through running, I’ve made lifelong friends and I’ve been fortunate enough to become a member of the Pfun Runners. The group has been a constant source of motivation and laughs! We enjoy running on Saturday mornings starting from our local coffee shop, West Pecan Coffee + Beer. Afterward, we reward ourselves with tacos from Pflugerville Taco House. So far, I’ve completed 12 half marathons and I have 4 more to complete in the coming months!
MARK HOLCOMB
What started as a way to get out of the house, clear my mind, and explore new places in Austin– has evolved into a passion for running. My newfound passion has led me to meet so many amazing people within the Austin Running Community. I love sharing my experiences and challenges with my students at the Texas School for the Deaf — GO RANGERS!
ALMA CHRISTENSEN
Running has been a part of my life for 23 years. Through running, I have made new friends and traveled to new places. I have experienced the joys and pains of the sport that tend to help put things into perspective. I have run countless 5k, 10k, and half marathon races and have done a handful of trail races. This year I was waiting for the arrival of my first baby who was due on October 1. During the pregnancy, I had to scale back on the distance but running still brought joy. Up through about 8 months of my pregnancy, I managed to do daily walks and shorter runs, and I’ve been keeping tabs on the running community. Baby girl arrived early on September 26, and we are super happy. Hopefully, someday she’ll be a runner. I am very excited to have been chosen as an ambassador for the Statesman Capitol 10k and look forward to motivating others to join the run.
SUSAN COOPER
I’m many things. A single mom. A school librarian. A Harry Potter fanatic. I’ve long wanted to add “runner” to that list.
I’ve always admired runners — their endurance, their dedication. I wanted to be someone who could go out and run 3 or 4 miles with no problem. But every time I tried, I got injured. In 2017, though, I decided to give it one more try. I joined a 5k group at Fleet Feet and that’s when it all came together. I made friends and running became more than just exercise. Now, I’m part of an amazing group that is based in Pflugerville and runs all over Austin — the Pfun Runners. We are runners of all ages, sizes, and abilities, but more than anything we are a family. I love exploring different parts of the city by running the streets and trails, and I’m looking forward to traveling for races. Running has changed everything, and I love it.
Now I can say that I am a mom, a school librarian, a Harry Potter fanatic, and a RUNNER!
IRAM LEON
Like almost every human on the planet, I started running shortly after I started walking and just haven’t stopped. Racing came after I got spanked in elementary school for running in the hall too much and got sent to the track team to utilize that energy. I once even put off brain surgery to run a marathon. Running is my therapy and how much I run tells you how badly I need therapy.
ADRIANA PRADO
I started running when I met my husband in 2001. Our favorite place was and still is the loop around the lake between Lamar and Mopac. Few years later a friend invited me to run the Chosen Half and now I run for fun, to stay active and to meet new friends motivated by my family and my group Rise and Run South Austin.
KRISTI LUNA
My family has been involved in the running community since I can remember (My father running 40/45 Cap10k’s.) So I wanted to follow in their running footsteps- and I’ve been in love with running ever since. If I’m not running a race, my favorite thing to do is go out, BE LOUD and cheer on other runners.
SCOTT COCHRAN
I initially used running as a way to control my weight. Before I knew it, I realized I wasn’t doing it anymore for that reason. I was doing it because I looked forward to it! I love running in races, cheering on fellow runners and the early morning long runs with friends and family.
