RLAG Ambassador Team

I have been part of the RLAG family for quite a few years now. I’ve never considered myself an athlete just someone who enjoys doing things. In 2010, I took my casual road running to the next level; I did my first of 3 half marathons that year mixed in with some shorter distance trail racing. By 2016, I completed my first 50km trail race (Frosty, Manning Park, BC) and was living on cloud 9 with endorphins to last a lifetime. Running brought me confidence I never had, it brought me a sense of purpose, it gifted me friends that I call my family and it provided me the ability to support, encourage and volunteer. This last part is actually my favorite part. As a child I was a competitive swimmer. With a solid running background I decided to try triathlons. Since 2015, I’ve done a handful of sprint, Olympic and a few half iron distances. My biggest ultra running accomplishment happened in 2019. After running several 50km races, the 3 day Golden, BC stage race which included a 60km distance on day 2, I decided to go for the 50 Miler! Not only did I go for the 50 Miler but the world famous Squamish 50/50. I’m the proud owner of a blue hat! I love being in the mountains where my mind clears and I’m enveloped with peace. Very excited to be back again with the RLAG family on whatever crazy adventures await in 2020. #willrunforicecream

Hi everyone. I’m Karen! I live in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mom to 1 amazing human and a fluffy cat named Prince. I’ve been a city runner off and on for many years, but found a renewed interest through scavenger hunts and trail running in 2020.  This is my second year with the RLAG Street Ambassador team. Last year I had a blast figuring out reels for my IG takeover week, ran a couple of races and volunteered for another organization. I’ve been on a 4 month break to rehab my knee, but am hopeful to start running again soon. Either way, I’m excited and committed to participate anyway that I can. Aside from running, I am a volleyball enthusiast; I host a grass volleyball Meetup group in the summer, as well as play at the beach whenever I can. Looking forward to seeing you all at upcoming RLAG events. 

Hello Beautiful People!
My name is Kim. I live in the Beautiful Fraser Valley, BC, Canada.
I am a mama to the most wonderful 22-year-old daughter and the sweetest WPG pup. I love adventure, obstacle running, trail running, hiking, anything in the trees, in the mountains, that is my happy place.
I am honoured and crazy excited to be a RLAG ambassador for my 3rd year in this amazing community. To share my love of running and adventure. To encourage others to Live, Love, Run and to Be Fearless in our pursuits of redefining our impossible.

I look forward to connecting with everyone.

Much Love.

Hi! I'm Lani,
...but out on the trail I’m known as ‘Larry’ — a dirtbag name I earned during my 2017 thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.
I’m a mile-crushing, summit-seeking, ultra trail runner and long-distance backpacker. I love the community, the simplicity and the grounded feeling I get from being in nature. Mountains ignite my imagination, challenge me, and help me feel empowered. I am involved in my local trail running community and have placed among the top women in races ranging from marathons to 100K distances.
When I’m not on the trail I’m in Los Angeles, where I use my outdoor experiences to motivate and inspire others in my work as a school counselor and yoga teacher.

My name is Melissa. I lived in a small town until I was 12 years old. I was always outside as a young kid; my parents had a hard time getting me inside. I have always loved running. While all my friends were riding bikes, I'd be running. I now live in Edmonton with my husband of almost 12 years, my thirteen year old daughter and our two dogs. I've worked in the medical field for 17 years. I took my personal trainer course 10 years ago, but I never found a job that worked for my family so I've continued working in the medical field. My main form of movement is running,  but I walk everyday. In the summer, I do a lot of cycling. In my free time, I love to read and do crafts when I'm not outdoors.  As a mom of a teenage daughter,  Run like a girl means a lot to me. I want my daughter and all women to always feel accepted in sports. I'm looking forward to another year with this great organization. 

Hi everyone! I am Melissa Sweet from Orillia, Ontario. I sold my belongings and moved to Abbotsford, in September 2019, with only what fit in my Corolla. I had big dreams of meeting new people and exploring the province, but...COVID. I moved on my own and didn’t have a ‘bubble’ so I took to the trails in the hopes of meeting people. I joined my local trail running group and fell in love (with running, the community and the mountains)! I love the energy of racing, but I’m definitely not fast. I’ve met some of the most amazing people while struggle-bussing a race! Party-pace is the best pace! For the past two years I’ve raced at least once a month and for every race I run I make sure to volunteer at an event. It is very important to me to give back to the running community as they have become my ‘family’.

Growing up I participated in a variety of sports but running and me were anything but friends. 2024 I really leaned into running and completed 18 races and my first 10k! 2025 I have big goals. Finish 24 races, first half marathon, first triathlon and first marathon! Excited to meet all of you out on the trails and at the events and be a part of this incredible organization. 

Hi! I'm Nicole and super excited to be apart of the team for a 4th year! I love trail running, hiking and going on outdoor adventures. I've run multiple races from 5K to a Marathon. Last year I took a little break from running to reset, but now I'm back to tackle some epic things in 2025. The biggest challenge being the Golden Ultra 3 day stage race. Looking forward to hearing from the RLAG community and cheering extra loudly as we crush our goals!! 

Pam Vanhanen is an adventurous and driven outdoor enthusiast with a passion for trail running, backpacking, paddleboarding, and weightlifting. A true “weekend warrior,” always seeking new challenges and experiences, with a strong commitment to personal growth and exploration. Experienced in multi-day backcountry trips, including backpacking the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park, and trail running events ranging from 5km to 65km.

She holds certifications in Wilderness First Aid and as an OCC Hiking & Trail Running Leader, combining a passion for the outdoors with a focus on safety, leadership, and fun.

Hey I’m Rhi and this is my 5th year on the RLAG team 😍🥳 I’m about to turn 40 (next week 🤓) and I’m from the Gold Coast, Australia. I’m an ultra runner and the trails are my happy place 🥰 I’m a mother to a Perthes Warrior who is my mini me and my inspiration #matchymatchyforlife

2020 was a crazy year for everyone, but for me personally it was my toughest year health-wise. I had 4 surgeries, the last one in November was pretty major and I’m still recovering from it. Though I still managed 3x 50km (1x DNF) and 1x 68km race in between the hospital visits so not too bad considering 🤷🏻‍♀️ in Australia we’ve definitely been less affected and impacted by Covid and my thoughts are with everyone still trying to get used to this new “normal”.

I’ve got some big races planned for 2021 (if Covid and my health don’t derail them 🤞) but I’m looking forward to continuing to represent RLAG down under 🇦🇺💙

My name is Rose O'Neill and this is my second year with RLAG.
What we think of ourselves, we become.
Pain, my constant daily companion. My mind says "you can go a little further. If you have the ability to move, continue to move! If you fall, you get back up." and I always do. You don't realize how strong you are until you are at your weakest point. From there, you rise with strength. From there, you commit to yourself through your struggle. Do not give up. Leave your mark.
I fell very hard yesterday. A literal, laying on the ground and wondering how the hell I am going to get back up. Getting up with a prosthetic leg is not easy nor is it graceful. When you're hurting daily, a fall on top of it can be brutal. Getting up looks like a bad cartoon gone very wrong. Especially if your leg won't stay on. There is always a reason to be grateful, a lot of people are not out there pushing themselves to betterment.
So, I am going to recover, then run with a full and grateful heart for my mobility, be it wobbly at times or solid at others. My goal is to keep showing up. You never know who is watching so keep going.
Remember, your life will not change until you change it. Yes, you are going to struggle. There will be pain and yes, it is going to hurt in some way be it mentally, physically or emotionally. Unless you take risks, growth will never happen. The hand you reach out to someone struggling today may be the hand that reaches to help you tomorrow. Kindness is a circle. So help someone. Lift someone up. Hand them their leg.

Hi five RLAG crew! My name is Sarah and I’m from Trail, a small town in the Kootenays. My journey from road to trail running started in 2017with a double loop 10km turkey trot and although finishing last, I was hooked. Shortly after my BFF had me signed up for a trail race with her and the experience was epic. Years of adventures, races, meeting amazing friends, breathtaking views and having my dog along the way is pure joy. I’m not afraid to be a back of the packer so I ran my first ultra in 2022 and recognized that journey paved the way to removing so many limitations I had in myself. I want to empower women in my community to run at their happy pace. I’m so grateful to be a part of the RLAG community and cheer you all on!

Hi! My name is Sharon and I am a huge advocate of diversity through all sports, helping a community to grow and support each other through unity. I love to run, hike, yoga and not to forget my passion for Powerlifting. I will always have a love for running, and I am proud to be a Clinic Leader for SportMedBC.

I’m really excited to continue my journey as a ambassador for RLAG, I’ve seen the community grow and the pleasure to spread the word and run some of the races in 2022 providing the support from all the people I encountered. As we move into a new year, I hope to see the community flourish even more and will certainly be looking forward to in person events.

Famous words from C.S.Lewis: "You are never too old to set another goal, or dream a new dream!"

My name is Val, I recently relocated about an hour east of Edmonton in Vegreville, AB after living most of my life in Edson, AB.
My husband and I married right out of high school and are still making a life together. I am a mom to 3 wonderful humans, mom-in-law to two more and Nana to my precious granddaughter! My family is my whole heart.
I have been a road runner for years, and am looking to transition to the trail. I enjoy hiking (still gaining experience), swimming and have started SUP.
I’ve had a couple of tough years on my emotions and mental health, leading to my physical health slacking. I have had MS for more than 20 years and know that it’s time for me to put my health, fitness and well-being at the top of my priority list again!!

My name is Willa and I am a 35 year old adventure seeker, former stunt performer, and competitive gymnast/ cheerleader. I recently graduated from nursing school and I am the proud mum to the sweetest 5 year old kid, Toby, as well as two fur kids Kona the min pin and Digger dog the ultra dog (blue heeler/ border collie mix). I live in a small town called Agassiz, BC. I was a late bloomer to running. I grew up as a competitive gymnast and cheerleader, so running was always used as a form of punishment or conditioning. It was not something I particularly enjoyed. All this changed when my best friend passed away from Leukemia. I signed up and ran my first marathon in his memory and from then I was hooked!
Since then I have completed numerous races ranging in distance from 5 km to 200+ km. I managed to be one of only 22 women who finished Fat Dog 120 mile race in 2015. It was the most amazing feeling to finish that race and to this day it is one of greatest achievements. When I am not running, I am heavily involved in educational advancement and leadership. I recently graduated from university with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I hold executive membership with multiple student nursing groups which aim to inspire leadership and social justice. I also facilitate workshops on sexualized violence prevention on campus for peers and faculty alike. My plans for this upcoming year include passing my NCLEX RN (nursing licensing exam), tackling the RLAG Be Fearless Marathon, the Broken Goat 50 km, Squamish 50/50, and the Golden Ultra. I am also hoping to do a through run of the Sunshine Coast Trail and the Hudson's Bay Company Heritage Trail. I am also eager to reconnect with my family and friends after a long 4 years in nursing school, and to begin the next chapter of my life as a Registered Nurse. I am so grateful to be a part of RLAG and embrace the amazing community that its founders have created and inspired. I cannot wait to see all we can accomplish together as a team!