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Big River Running Team: Master's Bios
 


Masters's Bios

Helen Alexander-Kratz
Ray Battistini
Julie Bergfeld
Rob Davidson
Roger Endicott
Mitch Figas
Heather Kelley
Debbie Kerber-Rehr
Terese Licavoli
Mark Palm
Pete Palumbo
Rob Thames
Steven Worley
Carol Wright

PETE PALUMBO
Age: 41
Hometown: Swansea , IL
High School: St. Louis University High School - 1983
College: Illinois State University - 1987
Law School: Southern Illinois University School of Law - 1992
Graduate School: Washington University, St. Louis - Masters of Law in Tax - 1997

Lifetime PRs:
800m 1:49.7
1000m 2:21.89
1500m 3:49.8
Mile 4:06.7
8k XC 24:22
10k Road 31:13

High School:

Finished 5th 1983 4A Track – 800 (1:55.66 PR)
1600m: 4:14.6
3200m: 9:32.0

College:

NCAA Division I All-American, 1986 indoor 1000m – 6th place (2:21.89).
Three time all-conference Missouri Valley Conference (“MVC”) XC – 1984, 1985 (7th ) & 1986 (4th ).
Two time individual MVC champion at 1000 yards – 1986 & 1987.
Member of 1985 Dogwood Relays, 1985 Kansas Relays and 1985 Drake Relays championship 4x1500 or 4x1600 relay team.

Masters:

Finished 6th – 2006 USA Track Masters Outdoor Championships – 1500m
800m: 2:11 (2007 Drake Relays Masters 800m - 7th)
Mile: 4:46.52
1500m: 4:27.02
5K Road : 16:36

***Pete was also recently named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Track and Cross Country Teams. Read the press releas HERE.

Short Term Goal:
Run each day.

Long Term Goals
:
As a masters runner (40-44) – break four minutes in the 1500 meter; break two minutes in the 800 meter; and break 15:30 for a road 5K.

Quite possibly the most decorated member of the Big River Racing Team, Pete is a great example of what competitive running is all about; racing to the best of your ability and have fun doing it.

 

 



STEVEN WORLEY
Age: 44 (October 1961)
Hometown: Dexter, MO
High School: Dexter Senior High School - 1980
College: University of Missouri - BS Engineering 1984
Graduate School: Drury University - MBA 1993

Masters PR's
5K Road 17:43 (Chesterfield Turkey Trot 2006)
4M Road 25:28 (Westacott Foundation 2005)
5M Road 30:38 (Millstadt Biathlon 2003)
10K XC 40:57 (USATF Ozark Ch. 2005)
7.5M Trail 1:02:28 (Pere Marquette 2006)
1/2 marathon trail 1:42:24 (Quivering Quads 2003)
1/2 marathon road 1:28:16 (Lewis & Clark 2003)
Marathon 2:57:51 (GO! St. Louis 2008)

Favorite Movie:
The Cowboys (one of several favorite John Wayne movies....."We're burnin' daylight")

Favorite Place to Train: Castlewood

Favorite Breakfast Cereal:
I don't eat cereal.....you'll see why below.....

Most played song on your iPOD/Radio:
Radio Operator by Rosanne Cash

Who's better Superman or Batman:
Superman, but I'd love to have Batman's car

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked:
Fact....lived through it at Mizzou

Interesting Fact about me:
Allergic to Gluten (protein in wheat, barley & rye....commonly known as Celiac Disease).....I skip the pancakes, pasta, beer and pizza parties.  Many cereals are out of the question and most are cross contaminated with wheat.  Thus, I stick with eggs for breakfast.

Short Term Goal:

Break 1-hour at Pere Marquette 

Long Term Goals:

As a masters runner over 45 – break three hours in a marathon, break an eighteen minute 5K, find time to go to Boston and enjoy as many academic, arts and sports moments with my family as possible.

Steve has spent the past five years actively supporting the St. Louis Blazers' youth running program as a parent and administrator.  The Blazer distance program is one of the best in the St. Louis area for aspiring youth with an interest in running XC in high school.




MITCH FIGAS
Age: 40
Hometown:
Fenton, MO
High School:
Eureka High School
Colleges:
Northeast Missouri State University (Truman) - '91
University of Wyoming - '94
Truman State - '97
Degrees:
BS Exercise Science
MS Exercise Physiology
MA Education

Lifetime PRs:
Mile 4:34
3K 9:07
5K 16:03
10 Mile 56:40
Marathon 2:42:24

Favorite Movie: Buckaroo Banzai:  Across the 8th Dimension

Favorite Place to Train: Happy Jack Rec. area just east of Laramie WY.  Locally - Shaw Nature Reserve

Favorite Breakfast Cereal
: Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch

Most played song
- Wait and Bleed, Slipknot

Superman or Batman?
Batman.

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked:
the 80's rocked

Interesting fact about me:  Invented the cell phone when I was in elem. school, yet curiously, I do not have a cell phone.

College:
Ran the first "Mud Bog"

Short Term Goal:
Avoid the cookies in my cupboard

Long Term Goal:
Resist friend's urging to run marathons

Mitch is the founding member of FART (Fenton Area Racing Team) and is ready to rock and roll in the masters division this year. The constant optimist, Mitch will be a welcome addition to the team.

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JULIE BERGFELD
Age: 40
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
High School: Webster Groves High School - 1985
College: Washington University class of 1989, BA French
Graduate School: UM-Columbia, MA Journalism

Lifetime PR's
5K Road 18:30
5M Road 31:28
10K 39:41
15K 1:01
Half Marathon 1:27
Marathon 3:07
50K 4:11

Favorite Movie: Pulp Fiction

Favorite Place to Train: Texas in the winter and New England in the summer

Favorite Breakfast Cereal:
any without wheat gluten (love cereal, but can't eat wheat gluten)

List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio:
"The Distance" by Cake (corny but true)

Who's better Superman or Batman:
Batman, because the Batmobile rocks

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked:
Fiction! I lived through it all and know the truth

Short Term Goal:
Run a sub 3-hour marathon

Long Term Goals:
Keep running and winning as a master and setting new lifetime pr's

Julie recently joined the Masters ranks but you wouldnt be able to tell by her race results. Julie is arguably one of the top female runners in the St. Louis area and excels in a wide range of distances. She usually prefers running the longer distances but can still hold her own in the shorter stuff. Look for Julie to be one of the dominant women on the Masters circuit over the next few years.

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HELEN ALEXANDER-KRATZ
Age: 44
Hometown: 
Auckland, New Zealand
High School:
Auckland Girls Grammar
College:
Auckland Institute of Tecnhnology 1983  NZ Dip PT Grad School: Wash U 2001 MHS (PT)

Lifetime PRs:
5000m 17:43
10,000m 36:48
Half Marathon 1:22:50
20 mile 2:11
Marathon 2:58 (Auckland 1989)

Masters PRs:
1 mile 5:37 (Davis, CA July 2004)
5000m 18:39 (Auckland, Sept '06)
4 mile 24:51 (Steamboat Classic '06)
10,000m 39:06 (Run for the Stars '04)
Half Marathon 1:27:57 (Mickelson Trail SD '04)

Favorite Movie: The Blues Brothers

Training Venue:  One Tree Hill cross country course (Auckland)

Cereal:  home made granola or if I'm out, Honey Nut Cheerios

IPOD song:
  "Ready to Go" by Garbage

Superman or Batman: Wonder Woman!

80's Rocked? Of course the 80's rocked, I was there!

Interesting Fact:
  I have a serious chocolate and icecream addiction (which is why I started running!)

High School:
School games captain; tennis/lifesaving/fieldhockey no real running events

Short Term Goal:
Recover from her injuries and get back to racing

Long Term Goal:
Make Team USA/All American for World Short Course Triathlon again in 2007, compete at Worlds in Germany. To run sub-19mins in 2007 for 5km, run sub-40mins at the end of an olympic -distance tri

Helen is one of the top Masters runners in the St. Louis area. She is also a World Class Triathlete.

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CAROL WRIGHT

Age: 47
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
High School: Hazelwood Central High School - 1980
College: SIU Edwardsville MIS 1982

Masters PR's
3000m 11:55 (Frostbite 2006)
3 Mile 20:06 (Turkey Day Run 2006)
4 Mile 27:32 (Ivory Crockett 2006)
5 Mile 33:48 (Millstadt Biathlon 2001)
10000m 41:04 (Gumbo Flats 2006)
Half Marathon 1:36:16 (Rock N Roll AZ 2006)
Marathon 3:16:04 (Spirit of St. Louis 2004)

Favorite Movie: Pretty Woman
Favorite Place to Train: Al Foster Trail
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Autumn Wheat - Kashi
List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: I am old, I listen to talk radio .
Who's better Superman or Batman: Batman – but I like the old 60's TV show.
Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: FACT – you can't beat Journey, Foreigner and Styx !!
Interesting Fact about me: HUGE Cardinal Baseball fan, even this year.

Short Term Goal:
Get my speed back after foot surgery

Long Term Goals:
Run a 3:10 marathon before I turn 50 (Yikes!)

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MARK PALM
Age: 43
Hometown: Wildwood, MO ( Lafayette High School )
College: Missouri State University
Degree: BS Agronomy

Lifetime PR's
Mile 4:24
2 Mile 9:17
5000m 15:10
5 Mile 25:54
10000m 32:23
Marathon 2:37:37

High School Accomplishments
2 time State Qualifier Cross Country
2 mile State Track Qualifier

College Accomplishments
Three time team cross country conference champions
Individually All-Conference ( 4th Place ) in cross country

Short Term Goals
See how far under 17:00 I can get my 5K time.
Run a sub 1:20:00 half-marathon in Spring of 2007.

Provide encouraging supportive mentoring to my daughter, Abby, as she runs the 2 mile this Spring.

Long Term Goals
Balance smart training with a smart racing schedule to get all I can out of my potential.

Help my daughter develop her running abilities and help our local high schoolers with off-season training.

Mark, while training with his daughter Abby, has been racing at a very high level since joining the racing team. He recently won the Spirit of St. Louis Half Marathon Master's Division and finished well at the St. Patrick's Day Parade Run. Look for Mark this summer on the Master's circuit.

FUN STUFF:

Favorite Movie: Any of the Borne series – small town Missouri kid takes on the world and “When Harry Met Sally” gotta love that lunch scene.

Favorite Place to Train: San Luis Obispo , CA .  Perfect weather year around.  Your choice of the beach or mountain foothills, all from your back door.

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Bite size Frosted Mini-Wheats – they're like runners, small in stature, healthy on one side, & sweet on the other.

List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: Depends upon the mood, but U2 has always got something for me.  Luckily I'm heavily influenced by my high schooler so that helps me keep it fresh.

Who's better Superman or Batman: Superman? He alone protects us all.  Batman relies too heavily on Robin, his underpaid and unappreciated side kick.  Besides, anyone living in a cave is just a bad day away from becoming the next Uni-bomber.  I don't trust him!

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: Indisputable fact.  Even today we are obsessed with the 80's music, fashion, politics, icons …

Interesting Fact about me: I love riding my motorcycle – 0-60 MPH in 3 seconds is an addictive rush and yes I know it is dangerous.  Also, my great uncle was the artist that created the Arm and Hammer symbol on the baking soda box.  I, however, am missing that artist gene.

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Rob Davidson
Age: 40
Hometown: Trenton,New Jersey
College: St. Joseph's University - Philadelphia,PA
Degree: Marketing

Lifetime PR's
6 Mile 35:00 ('06 Kirkwood Turkey Day)
10000m 36:44 ('07 U-City Memorial Day)
Half Marathon 1:18:31 ('06 SLTC Half)
Marathon 2:48:40 ('06 NYC Marathon)

College Accomplishment:
NCAA Division I Soccer Scholarship

Short Term Goals:
Get into the best shape of my life and run 2:40 at the 2007 ING New York Marathon

Long Term Goals:
Share the joy of running with my four children - Taylor, Katelyn, Anna, and Thomas

Rob's first competitive road race was the 2004 St. Louis Half Marathon. As a late comer to the sport Rob hopes to fully understand his running potential as a masters runner with the Big River Running Team. Rob currently works for the Javo Beverage Company as Vice President of National Accounts.
.

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Heather Kelley
Age:
45
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
College: University of Missouri, Columbia

PRs
Distance/Time

Lifetime PRs:

3K

13:15 (2007 Road Series)

5K

21:53 (Girls on the Run 5k)

4 Mile

29:01 (2008 Schnuck's Salmon Run)

5 Mile

37:05 (2007 Davenport Turkey Trot)

10K

50:21 (2007 Road Series)

Half Marathon 1:43:45 (2008 GO! St. Louis)

Favorite Movie: Silence of the Lambs, Young Frankensstein

Favorite Place to Train: streets around Webster, Grant's Trail, Forest Park

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Cheerios or Total--I'm not that much of a cereal eater.

List the Most Played Song on Your Ipod/Radio: The Beatles, Queen, Tracy Champman CD's on my MP3 player

Fact or Fiction, the 80's Rocked? Fact!

Short Term Goals
I've only been runing for 1.5 years, so my goals are to lower my PR's at every distance.

Long Term Goals
Stay injury free and improve my half marathon goal to below 1:40.

Interesting Fact About Me:
I'm a voracious reader and I like to do crossword puzzles.

 


Rob Thames
Age
:47 (4/60)
Hometown: St. Paul , MN (now STL)
College: Univ. of MN
Occupation: Healthcare Executive

PRs Can't remember PRs – too old! Below is last 12 months
Distance Time

PRs:

First ½ Marathon (Lewis & Clark '06)

1:21 Master's Champ (8 th overall)

Ivory Crockett 4 '06, Kirkwood-Webster Turkey run '06, Highland Biathlon '07, SoCo and TdK Sprint Triathlons '07, Sunset Hills 5K, CC Festival Kickoff, Xterra Klondike Trail Run, and a few other runs

Age group champ/Masters champ and/or top eight overall in each

Favorite Movie: 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' (nothing to do w/ running – except btw your ears)

Favorite Place to Train: Any wooded trail to run/bike; any nice day

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Rob's Mix: Quaker Oat Squares w/ Optimum Power, Grape Nuts, (a few other kinds as available), raisins, nuts, bananas, cottage cheese, yogurt – now we're talking cereal

List the Most Played Song on Your Ipod/Radio: Don't know, but my son's is ‘Sandstorm' by Darude!

Who's Better Superman or Batman: Clint Eastwood (cape & mask?)

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked? Fact, no brag (excludes Chernobyl)

High School Accomplishments: All-conference baseball pitcher, basketball

College Accomplishments: Baseball pitcher D-1; “Fastest pitcher” (in the mile!)

Short Term Goals: USATF 10 Mile Championship during Twin Cities Marathon – run with the best in the country for the first 10 yards.

Long Term Goals: Get slower, slower (than other old guys!) and inspire others to exercise.

Interesting Fact About me: Luckiest husband; Father of 4, coach of 4 sports; national age group triathlete.

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Roger Endicott
Age: 51
Hometown: Evansville, IN
College: University of Evansville (B.S.), Ball State University (M.S), University of Illinois Chicago (M.S.)
Occupation: Biochemist

Lifetime PRs:

5K

17:30

10k

30:53 (2007 Schnuck's Salmon Run)

Half Marathon

1:18:00

Marathon

3:05:30

Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption

Favorite Place to Train: Creve Coeur Lake

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Go Lean Crunch

List the Most Played Song on Your Ipod/Radio: Red Rain, by Peter Gabriel

Fact or Fiction, the 80's Rocked? Fact

Short Term Goals
Place in Age Group at GO! Half Marathon

Long Term Goals
- Compete in ITU World Long Course Triathlon in August 2008
- Travel to a half marathon outside the St. Louis area in the next year or two.

Interesting Fact About Me:
Fan of Star Trek

 
 
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