The 14 enthusiastic runners below are ready to lead 27,000 Chevron Houston Marathoners and Aramco Houston Half Marathoners to the finish line. Congratulations to our 2017 Ambassador team!
Robert Brown (Spring, TX) – Half Marathon
Robert began running in the mid-1990s when he joined the Marine Corps and picked it up again when he met his future wife. He now thrives on self-competition. A kidney cancer survivor, Robert continues to push himself and has now completed numerous half marathons, marathons, ultras and, last year, he received his first 100 mile buckle.
Twitter – @rbrown714
Instagram – @robbrown714
Facebook – Rob Brown
Catalina Calderon (Houston, TX) – Marathon
Catalina is a native Houstonian with an equal passion for running and hairdressing. Racing a free 5K in 2013 forever changed the course of her life. Later that year, she ran her first half marathon and immediately followed that up with a second and third. In 2015, Catalina ran her first full – the Chevron Houston Marathon. Running has now given her the confidence to try new things and a desire to be adventurous every day.
Twitter – @theonlycatalina
Instagram – @theonlycatalina
Hung Cao (Houston, TX) – Marathon
Hung started running just 4 years ago, hoping to build cardiovascular capacity after a torn hamstring. He is currently the president of the Kung Fu Running Club that meets every Wednesday night and positions themselves as a social running club. He is also an officer at West End Running Club and frequents local running events hosted by Sun And Ski Sports and Trail Racing Over Texas.
Twitter – @housecao
Instagram – @housecao
Dendy Farrar (Friendswood, TX) – Marathon
Dendy is a wife, mother, and high school librarian. She found running in her mid-thirties and is completely hooked. Dendy is a native Houstonian and looks forward to the way the entire city comes together to celebrate the Chevron Houston Marathon each year.
Blog – lonestarrungirlblog.wordpress.com/
Twitter – @densfarrar
Instagram – @densfarrar
Heather Foley (Houston, TX) – Marathon
After graduating from college, affordable access and time for team sports was hard to find so Heather picked up running to keep in shape. She joined Runner’s High Club here in Houston in 2008 and a new family and passion was discovered. She has run over 30 marathons/ultramarathons (including back-to-back finishes at the Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa), but loves all the other distances as well. To keep in the best running shape she can be in, she also regularly does crossfit and yoga. Running motivates her on a personal level, but it also gives her the opportunity to interact with the incredible and vibrant community that exists among runners, and all people who love an active healthy lifestyle. When she does sit still, she likes it to be on a patio on a nice day with live music and friends. This is Heather’s fourth year in the Ambassador program.
Twitter – @haf811
Instagram – @haf811
Facebook – Heather Foley
Sara Hudgens (Houston, TX) – Half Marathon
Sara is a 30-something native Texan, runner, and educator. She’s been running as long as she can remember, from around the neighborhood when she was little up to full marathons now. She paces The Woodlands Half Marathon each year, is a member of Team Luke’s Houston, and is a six-time Boston Marathon qualifier. When Sara isn’t running around Memorial Park or Buffalo Bayou, you can find her at spin, at the pool, reading, or shopping.
Twitter – @saramhudgens
Instagram – @shudgens
Facebook – Sara M Hudgens
Bryan Kreitz (Cypress, TX) – Half Marathon
Bryan started running with friends after being advised by his doctor that his weight (200lbs) was very unhealthy for his height (5’6″) and could lead to many health issues. Starting slow, Bryan worked his way from 5ks to 10ks, and now has completed 6 half marathons, 3 marathons, and 6 Half Ironman races and one full Ironman. Bryan has the wonderful support of his wife and 2 kids and a host of other family members during his long training days and races.
Twitter – @kreitz09
Instagram – @kreitzquest
Marcus Lewis (Houston, TX) – Marathon
Marcus spends his days working in engineering services for a chemical plant. Evenings and weekends are spent with his wife and four sons. On weekends he and the boys enjoy trips to the grocery store and gym. Life is busy, so pretty much any “free” time he has is dedicated to running and triathlon training. Marathon training has taught him that there are no limits, that it’s about more than just running and to enjoy the journey. He is looking forward to another great year!
Twitter – @mrlewis08
Instagram – @irondad
Cintia Listenbee (Missouri City, TX) – Marathon
Cintia is a 36-year-old journalist who caught the running bug during childbirth recovery. She found the cure while running the 2014 Chevron Houston Marathon. She enjoys singing with her husband and their 3 small children. She records all her running and family adventures in her bilingual (English-Brazilian Portuguese) blog SimplyCintia.com.
Blog – www.simplycintia.com
Twitter – @simplycintia
Instagram – @cintialistenbee
Facebook – Cintia Listenbee
Lindsay McClelland (Houston, TX) – Marathon
Lindsay is a PR and social media professional at MMI Agency in downtown Houston. Making her way to Texas by way of Hawaii, she’s found that trading in her flip flops for cowboy boots isn’t so bad! While she does miss living in paradise, she’s fallen in love with her new city, its great food and friendly fitness community. Lindsay has run 11 marathons and more half marathons than she can count, is a yoga teacher and former collegiate swimmer. One of her favorite things about Houston is the supportive running community, from the competitive training groups to fun social runs. Lindsay’s father is also a runner, and they’ve run part of the Chevron Houston Marathon together for the last two years! When she’s not running, you can find Lindsay at the yoga studio or checking out some of Houston’s best restaurants!
Twitter – @Lindsaylm
Instagram – @lindsaylm
SnapChat – Lindsaylm
Sarah Pepper (Houston, TX) – Half Marathon
Hot 95.7 DJ Sarah Pepper has been a runner for most of her life. Starting in grade school and continuing all the way up through her senior year of high school, Sarah ran cross country with her brother. But after graduating, and with no team to run with, her running faded into the background. The tragic loss of her brother in October 2010 brought her back to running as a way to remember him. This is Sarah’s fourth year in the Ambassador program.
Twitter – @sarahhot957
Instagram – @sarahhot957
Facebook – Sarah Pepper
Victoria Silva (Houston, TX) – Half Marathon
Victoria is a 25-year-old biochemistry student from Houston. She was once a few pounds shy of 300lbs and has used running to change her life and the lives of others. She has run for the Houston Area Women’s Center in the Half-Marathon as a Hero two years in a row. She is a published makeup artist and hair stylist and works in the heights. She coaches for Power In Motion and trains with Houston Fit.
Twitter – @Vloses100
Instagram – @VictoriaLoses100
Facebook – Victoria Loses 100