Pace Groups

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The Frederick Marathon is pleased to announce that GEICO will be pacing once again as the official sponsor for the 2010 Frederick Marathon Pace Groups.  We pride ourselves on consistent pacing and having a good time!

The GEICO Pace Groups will help you not only achieve your goals, but have FUN, whether the goal is a personal record, Boston qualifier, or simply to cross the finish line! Our GEICO Pacers are extremely experienced runners, chosen based upon their previous running and/or pacing performances and know what it takes to hold a steady pace and give you a great marathon experience - dynamic and personable, and dedicated to making sure you have a great time on the course!

Important Highlights about GEICO Pace Groups:

• Participation is free to all participants who sign up at the pre-race expo booth on 5/1/10. Registration includes completing a release of liability waiver and in return you will be given a pace bib to wear on your back to help identify you to your pacers and group.
• In addition, you will be given a pace bracelet to wear on your wrist which will alert you of your specific mile goals.
• THERE WILL BE NO MARATHON DAY SIGN UP FOR PACE GROUPS.
• We will have GEICO Pace Groups for the following marathon times: 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, and 5:00.
• Unfortunately, we will not have GEICO Pace Groups for the Half Marathon this year.
• The goal is that GEICO Pacers will be running "even splits," which means that every mile will be run at approximately the same pace. Exceptions to this will be in the beginning.
• Most of the GEICO Pace Groups will not be walking during the marathon. (Traditionally, the pace groups from 4:00 and slower will be walking during fluid stations.)
• There will be handouts at our expo booth for final marathon preparation pointers.
• To meet up with the GEICO Pace Groups on marathon day, look for them at the start, holding up large signs with the pace group finishing times printed on them, and wearing GEICO Pace Group shirts. Try to meet up with your group twenty minutes before the start.
• Five or ten minutes before the start, your GEICO Pacers will give their "final instructions". This will include any adjustments being made to the pace due to course conditions, as well as your GEICO Pacers’ method of meeting back up and keeping the group together at the fluid stations. This is another great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have!
• Fluid station philosophy, regarding whether the GEICO Pace Group will walk or run through it, is up to the Pacer(s). Each GEICO Pace Group will let their team know their strategy for getting back together after a water stop. Traditionally, the pace groups from 4:00 and slower will be walking during fluid stations. Be sure to check with your GEICO Pacer at the expo booth or prior to the race if this is extremely important to you.
• We want you to run your own race. If you feel great on race day, and you want to go ahead to catch the next team, we'll cheer you on. If it's just not your day, slow down and wait for the next Pace Group behind to catch you. And if you want to just fall in and match strides with your GEICO Pacer, we sure will appreciate the company!
• If you have any questions, please feel free to post them on the GEICO Pace Group Section of the Message Board. This will allow others to share the questions and answers. Or you may e-mail Anne Lewis Villanueva, Pace Group Organizer, at alvrun@aol.com

2010 Frederick Marathon GEICO Pacer Biographies

3:10 Pacers

*David Ploskonka, (Churchville, MD), Full

Returning pacer. Completed at least 25 marathons and ultramarathons with a marathon PR of 2:56:32, a 100-mile PR of sub 19 hours in 2009, & no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Works as an engineer, enrolled in part-time MBA program. In his free time likes help other runners reach their potential, makes music, & takes care of his 2 cats.

Shawn Pinamonti, (Parkville, MD), Second Half

Completed 9 marathons. Paced at the Baltimore Marathon several times. This will be his second time pacing at Frederick. Finished third overall in the 2008 Frederick Half-Marathon. When not running he works as a graphic designer and free-lance illustrator.

3:20 Pacers

*Ritchie Lavene, (New Egypt, NJ), Full

This marathon will be #30 in 5 years…16 of which were as an official race pacer. When not running, he directs his 50 Man 
Barbershop Chorus in Princeton, NJ or singing in his Championship Quartet, or playing with my 2 adorable kids & hanging 
with the wife! Proudest run was a 2:59:07 finish in Boston, 2009. 

Mark Wojenski, (Baltimore, MD), Full

Completed 15 marathons, including 4 Boston Marathons and 2008 Philly Marathon PR time of 2:51:00. 8 time pacer, having paced the 3:20 pace group at Baltimore Marathon in 2005, 2006, & 2007, West Palm Beach Marathon in 2008, and the Frederick Marathon in 2009. Occupation: Electrical Engineer at NASA.

3:30 Pacers

*Bob Villanueva, (Timonium,MD), Full

A veteran GEICO Pacer, Bob has completed 14 marathons including Boston twice with a PR of 3:06 at Philly in 2009. Also a seasoned triathlete with multiple Ironman and 70.3 finishes. When not racing, Bob practices cat juggling and participates in amateur lumberjack competitions to keep out of trouble.

Brian Benda, (Parkton, MD), Full

Completed 11 marathons, 3 Ironmans, and countless other triathlons. He has swum across the Chesapeake Bay seven times, winning the event two of the last three years. He enjoys running with his wife (also a pacer) and chasing his 5 and 6-year old girls. Occupation: Civil Engineer (roads and bridges).

Molly Hyde, (Baltimore, MD), Full

Completed 8 marathons and paced Baltimore in 2009. Other marathons include Boston, B&A Trail, Vermont City, and Chicago (PR of 3:07:22 in 2008). Recently gotten into trail racing and ran her fist ultra-marathon, the JFK 50 miler, last November. Also a triathlete and has completed several sprint and Olympic distance triathlons.

Ed Jablonski, (Cockeysville, MD), Full

Completed 12 marathons, PR of 3:09, including 2 Boston Marathons, 4 Baltimore Marathons, 2 Marine Corps Marathons, and 4 NCR Trail Marathons. Completed 7 Ironman Triathlons including 3 Ironman Hawaii Triathlons. Finisher of over 40 triathlons including 10 Eaglemans & 8 Columbias. Pacer in Baltimore Marathon in 2009.

3:40 Pacers

*Malcolm Senior (New Market, MD), Full

Regular Pacer at Frederick and Baltimore marathons. Completed 20 marathons, including London UK and Minden Germany, plus several ultra races. Occupation: Quality/Safety Manager at Phoenix Mecano Inc, Frederick.

Chris Wilde (Grasonville, MD) Full

Completed many marathons including Boston (PR 3:08), numerous Ultra's and Adventure Racing. Ran first 100Mile Ultra 
in 2009 with a sub 24 hour finish. When he isn't spending time with his wife and daughter, he works in a Baltimore City 
ER as a Physician Assistant. Currently training for Western States Endurance 100 miler in June. 

Bruce Yang (West Nyack, NY), Full

He is a triathlete, marathoner, and kickboxer. He has competed in every single distance ranging from 100 Meter Dash to Full Marathon including 25 Marathons (including 2 Boston) and 3 Empire State Building Run Up. He was a pacer in Baltimore Marathon in 2009 & Frederick Marathon 2009.

3:50 Pacers

*Scott Phin, (Reisterstown, MD), Full

Completed multiple marathon and triathlons since 2002. Paced both Baltimore and Frederick Marathons. Married with twodaughters. Business owner, entrepreneur, middle school athletic coach, amateur golfer & many philanthropic activities keep him active and young. Life is what you make of it and Scott likes to help others find their purpose.

Jonathan Bosarge, (Columbus, OH), Full

Has completed 15 marathons since 2005, these include Boston in 2009, and a PR of 3:06 in 2008 at the Columbus marathon. Currently he is a teaching assistant at Ohio State University finishing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trumpet performance, graduating this June.

Paul D’Agati (,MD) Full

I have been running marathons for over 10 years and Frederick will be my 12th marathon. My PR is a Boston Qualifying 3:12 in Baltimore (aided by the very capable and inspiring GEICO 3:10 pacing group). I work for Merck Vaccines and I am married with 3 kids, a dog and two cats - With this lineup, everyday is a Marathon!!

Josh Reiter (Baltimore, MD), Full

Completed 10 marathons (including 2 Frederick Marathons) and numerous sprint triathlons. His PR is 3:30 at Marathon in the Parks. Returning pacer. Was once beaten in a marathon by a fairy princess. Enjoys practicing his new sport: Flying Trapeze! Looking forward to bringing everyone in on time! President of ApplicationsOnline.com

4:00 Pacers

*Marci Benda, (Parkton, MD), Full

Completed 10 marathons including Boston (PR 3:11). A veteran pacer, she looks forward to pacing again this year and helping those around her achieve their goals. A former collegiate swimmer, she is a licensed physical therapist who enjoys running and swimming to de-stress from her job as a full time mommy of two.

Emily Grossman, (Alexandria, VA), Full

Completed over 20 marathons (including 2 Boston Marathons) and countless ultra-marathons/trail races from 50Ks to 100Ks. Certified as a RRCA running coach and spends her non-racing weekends coaching through DC Road Runners and the Sergeant’s Program. She’s training for her first 100 miler in May 2010.

George Olean, (Ellicott City, MD), Full

Completed 30 marathons (from 2:58 to over 4:00) in the past 11 years. Marathons include 6 Baltimore (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009), 3 Boston (2003, 2004, 2007) and 1 Frederick (2005). He has paced at the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington D.C and Baltimore Marathon. Member of the Howard County Striders.

4:15 Pacers

*David Hopkins, (Baltimore,MD), Full

Completed 36 marathons, including Honolulu (3), Maui, Disney (5), and Ocean City (3). Completed Ironman Florida, Arizona, Lake Placid, and Chesapeake Bay Swim; training for Ironman Wisconsin. Looking forward to having an excuse to be a social butterfly while running!

Kara Carlin, (Owings Mills, MD), Full

Proud mother of two little girls & wife of her high school sweetheart. This April she will be competing in her first ever 
Boston Marathon, this will mark Kara's 7th Marathon…other marathons include Marine Corps, Palm Beach, San Diego, 
Baltimore twice & Philly with a PR is 3:29. Occupation: Athletic Director at St. Timothy's School 

Greg Griffie, (Braintree, MA), Full

Completed 9marathons, returning Baltimore marathon pacer, and Team In Training Alum. Occupation; Executive Chef Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

Pete Mulligan, (Baltimore, MD), Full

Completed 24 marathons & 4 ultramarathons, having paced over 11 marathons in the last 3 years. Whether you're a first timer just looking to cross the finish line or a veteran out to have fun, Pacer Pete will get you to the finish on time.

4:30 Pacers

*Randy Hansen, (Bloomingdale, IL), Full

Returning this year to pace the Frederick Marathon. Avid runner and triathlete. Completed multiple marathons, 2 ultramarthons, and one Ironman. Outside of running, he is a college professor and father of 2 and just got married in April! Looking forward to helping fellow runners reach their marathon goal!

Shannon Quigley, Bloomingdale, IL), Full

Works as a nurse in the cardiac cath lab outside of Chicago, IL. Completed multiple marathons and triathlons. Hoping to PR this year in both the Madison Marathon and her second Ultramarathon in Door County, WI. Enjoys training and helping others to achieve their goal.

Ron Reardon (Arubuts, MD), Full

Completed 19 marathons. Paced the Frederick Marathon and the Baltimore Marathon a number of times (4:30 for Frederick and 4:45 group for Baltimore). Occupation: Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman

4:45 Pacers

*Judith Weber, (Ellicott City, MD), Full

A long distance runner returning to pace Frederick for the 3rd year. Started running 11 years ago on a dare and have finished countless marathons and ultra races. My goal for this year is to finish the Death March in NM. Works for the federal Judiciary.

Tonya Dunn, (Faribault, MN), Full
Completed nearly 60 marathons, 1 Ironman, 1 Ultra. Currently selling liquor and wine for a living (sounds tough, I know)! Taking classes to become a Certified Personal Trainer. Loves spending time running, reading or doing both with her wonderful son, Emmett!

Anne Lewis Villanueva, (Timonium, MD), Full

Completed 21 marathons, including 4 Boston Marathons. Served as an official pacer for every Baltimore Marathon since 2002, Frederick Marathon 2008 & 2009, and NJ Shore Marathon 2007. Occupation: Nurse Practitioner.

Elissa Wojenski, (Baltimore, MD), Full
Completed 12 marathons including Boston with a PR of 3:40 at Philadelphia 2009. Two time Baltimore Marathon pacer, and looking forward to pacing Frederick. Occupation - Assistant Controller for a Consolidated Graphics Company. Wish me happy birthday at the marathon, I will have just entered a new age group 3 days ago :)

5:00 Pacers

*Gene Fritzel, (Lutherville, MD), Full

Completed 177 marathons, at least one in all 50 states. Official past pacer for Baltimore, Frederick, Miami, Virginia Beach, Richmond, Akron, Air Force, Rock-N-Roll San Diego, Pittsburgh, Carlsbad, & Jersey Shore. Retired from the Baltimore City Police Dept. in 1993 and currently is a deputy sheriff in Baltimore County, MD.

Will Brown, (Baltimore, MD), Full

Completed 12 marathons, last year's JFK 50, and lots of shorter races and lives in Federal Hill in Baltimore with his wife and extremely lazy cat. He is the CTO for a small IT company. He paced Baltimore in 2008/9 and Frederick in 2009 and looks forward to helping you reach your goals this year.

George Elder, (Hydes, MD), Full

Completed 15 marathons and the JFK 50 Mile. Returning Frederick Marathon Pacer. Occupation: Investigator, Baltimore County Department of Health

Jodie Kendall, (Owings Mills, MD), Full

Completed 9 marathons, a returning GEICO pacer, has completed several half marathons, century rides and triathlons including Ironman Panama City Beach. Team In Training Alum. Has a penchant for telling corny but clean jokes. Occupation: Director of HR for Daycon.

Tim Mullen, (Timonium, MD), Full

16 time marathoner (6 time pacer), completed 4 Olympic distance triathlons, 4 Century Rides. Occupation: Executive Chef Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel