Pace Groups

On This Page...
 > IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS
 > PACER BIOS

The Frederick Marathon is pleased to announce that GEICO will be pacing once again as the official sponsor for the 2009 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 5/2/09. 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 temporary Pace Tattoo (while supplies last) to wear on your forearm 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 and specifically the 4:45 pace group will have pacers who run the marathon and pacers who do a run-walk modified version of the marathon for that pace.)
• 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 the Pace Group Organizers at frederickpacers@aol.com

2009 Frederick Marathon GEICO Pacer Biographies

3:10 Pacers

Brian Benda, ( Parkton MD), First 14

Completed 10 Marathons (including Boston) and countless Triathlons (including 3 Ironmans). Along with running and triathlons, he (a former collegiate swimmer) still enjoys swimming, completing the Chesapeake Bay Swim six times, with an overall win in 2007. When he isn’t running with his wife (also a pacer), or chasing his 4 and 5-year old girls, he is working as a Civil Engineer, designing roads and bridges.

Shawn Pinamonti, (Parkville, MD), Second 14

Completed 9 marathons. Ran the 2008 Boston Marathon in 2:59. Finished third overall in the 2008 Frederick 
Half-Marathon.

3:20 Pacers

*Mark Wojenski, (Baltimore, MD), Full

Completed 12 marathons, including 4 Boston Marathons and 2008 Philly Marathon PR time of 2:50:00. 6 time pacer, having paced the 3:20 pace group in the Baltimore Marathon in 2005, 2006, & 2007 and returning Frederick Pacer. Occupation: Electrical Engineer at NASA

Steve LaChance, (Baltimore, MD), Full

Completed 14 marathons since his debut at the Vermont City Marathon in 2003. Paced the 2008 Frederick 
and Baltimore Marathons and has a PR of 3:01 at the 2007 Philly Marathon. Also competed in several triathlons, 
including two half ironmans. Works as a mechanical engineer to support his running and triathlon addictions.

3:30 Pacers

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

Completed 22 Marathons since October 2005. 13 of these Marathons were as an official race pacer. 
A very active competitor, coach, singer, and Daddy! Proudest run was 3:05 finish in Boston 2007 (in a Nor'Easter.) 
He has sinced upped his Boston PR to 3:02! Last year paced the Marathon Double (Frederick and Baltimore, both 3:20s)! 
Hope to repeat that this year!

Betsy Blom, (Elkridge, MD), Full

Completed 6 marathons, including Boston and New York and many half-marathons and triathlons. Occupation: 3rd grade teacher

Josh Reiter (Baltimore, MD), Second 14

Completed 10 marathons (including 2 Frederick Marathons) and numerous sprint triathlons. His PR is 3:30 at Marathon in the Parks. Will be pacing the Frederick Marathon for his second year. 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

3:40 Pacers

*Malcolm Senior (New Market, MD), Full

Regular Pacer at Frederick and Baltimore marathons. Completed 18 marathons, including London UK and Minden Germany, plus several ultra races. Occupation: Quality Manager at Phoenix Mecano Inc, Frederick.

Bruce Yang (West Nyack, NY), Full

He is a triathlete, marathoner, and kickboxer. He has competed in every single running distance ranging from 100 Meter Dash to Full Marathon including 19 Marathons and 2 Empire State Building Run Up stair races. He was a pacer in the 2008 Frederick Marathon and has paced several times at Baltimore Marathon.

3:50 Pacers

*Scott Phin, (Reisterstown, MD), Full

Multiple event marathoner and triathlete. Has completed seven marathons and eleven triathlons since the Fall of 2002. Returning pacer of the Baltimore Marathon for the fifth year. Very active within the running community including TNTalum and Race Director for "Race for our Kids" at Sinai Hospital.

Bob Villanueva, (Timonium,MD), Full

Is a carbon-base life form who has completed 11 marathons and multiple triathlons. Qualified for Boston Marathon with a PR of 3:14 at Philly Marathon 2008. Completed Lake Placid Ironman 2008 in 11:45 and is returning to do the race again in 2009, much to his wife’s chagrin.

4:00 Pacers

*Marci Benda, (Parkton, MD), Full

Completed 7 marathons including Boston (PR 3:11). She paced both the Frederick and Baltimore Marathons in 2008 which were such great experiences that she is returning for more fun! She is a licensed physical therapist who enjoys running and swimming to de-stress from her job as a full time mommy of two.

Juda McGannon, (Hunt Valley,MD), Full

Completed 20 marathons including Boston four times, but especially proud of her four Ironman finishes. She paced the Baltimore Marathon in 2008, her first, and has aspirations of becoming a professional marathon pacer! Holds a masters degree in exercise physiology which she uses in her profession as a coach, fitness consultant, and Charm City Run employee. Married to John for 20 years this coming September.

Stacy Ward, (Westminster, MD), Full

Completed 13 marathons including San Deigo, Virginia Beach, Disney, and 2 Boston Marathons . Qualified for 2009 Boston. Has been a Baltimore Marathon Pacer for the past three years. Occupation: National Accounts Manager, Coastal Sunbelt Produce.

4:15 Pacers

*David Hopkins, (Baltimore,MD), Full

Completed 29 marathons, including Honolulu (3), Maui, Disney (4), and Ocean City (3); PR 3:42. Completed Ironman Florida, Ironman Arizona and Chesapeake Bay Swim, training for 2009 Ironman Lake Placid. Looking forward to having an excuse to be a social butterfly while running!

Robert Kirk, (Washington, D.C.), Full

Completed eight marathons (most recently in the 2008 Marine Corps), has a PR of 3:18 in the Marine Corps (2007) and runs in Washington DC Road Runner events. Ran as a GEICO pacer in the 2008 Frederick and Baltimore marathons. Works as an Economist specializing in Trade and Investment projects for AECOM International Development.

4:30 Pacers

*Gene Fritzel, (Lutherville, MD), Full

Completed over 165 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.

Ed Schultheis, (Wake Forest, NC), Full

Completed 14 marathons , paced 6 Baltimore marathons and has completed several triathlons including the 2006 Florida Ironman. Occupation: Regional Manager with Trugreen Landcare.

Anne Villanueva, (Timonium, MD), Full

Completed 19 marathons, including 4 Boston Marathons. Served as an official pacer for every Baltimore Marathon since 2002, Frederick Marathon 2008, and NJ Shore Marathon 2007. Occupation: Nurse Practitioner.

4:45 Pacers

*George Elder, (Hydes, MD), Full

Completed 11 marathons, 5 of which have been Baltimore, 5 of which have been NYC, and 1 Marine Corps Marathon. Preparing for the the JFK 50 miler in November. Occupation: Investigator, Baltimore County Health Department

Tonya Dunn, (Lakeville, MN), Full

This will be my first time pacing Frederick, I have paced Baltimore Marathon two years ago! Completed one Ironman, and now training for my second one. Completed over 40 marathons, had to take a break to have a wonderful little boy last year! I'll see you on the course.

Tim Mullen, (Timonium, MD), Full

Completed 14 marathons, (5 Time Pacer) 4 Olympic distance triathlons and 4 century rides. 
Occupation: Executive Chef, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.

5:00 Pacers

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

Long distance runner returning to pace Frederick for the 2d year. Have paced fabulous Baltimore for 4 years. Still working for the Federal Judiciary.

Jodie Kendall, (Owings Mills, MD), Full

Ran 7 marathons, paced 1 & 1/2 Baltimore marathons and has done several triathlons, including finishing her first IronMan in 2007. An alum of Team in Training. 1 of 600 members of Underarmour Team Run. She is a Director of Human Resources at Daycon.

Jenn Schultheis, (,NC), Full

She has completed 9 marathons, paced 2 Baltimore marathons and has done several triathlons, including finishing her first IronMan in 2007. She and her husband are currently training for the 2009 Arizona IronMan. She is a Division Manager with Supplemental Health Care.

Alternate Pacers:

Will Brown, Second 14

A returning pacer, he lives in Federal Hill with his wife Helen and lazy cat Tabitha. He enjoys running around the Inner Harbor and the B&A trail. He has completed seven marathons, and his first Boston Qualifier was at Frederick in 2007. He is looking forward to his first ultra, the JFK 50, this fall.

Ron Reardon (Arubuts, MD), Second 14

Completed 15 marathons. Paced the Frederick Marathon twice on the old course and paced the Baltimore Marathon the last 5 years as part of the 4:45 group. I vacation in Asia every year, but haven't built up the courage to run a marathon in the tropical heat. Occupation: Engineer at Northrop Grumman