Runner of the Month: Elizabeth Kirk

With her creative, out-of-the-box Ugly Christmas Sweater, you would never guess that Elizabeth has only run the Sweaty Sweater 5k twice! “It feels a bit like being in a holiday parade” she says of the run. This year, her sweater was inspired by a pair of adorable owl mittens that she ordered online but sadly never arrived.  However, in the face of adversity and heart break over the loss of her mittens, she managed to wrangle some tinsel, a feather boa, and owl knick-knacks into an owl-tastic sweater!

When Elizabeth is not at her craft table, she works as a music teacher to children in kindergarten through eighth grade and teaches culinary nutrition and yoga to high school students.  Outside of the classroom, Elizabeth enjoys archery, running her French macaron business, and taking care of her two fluffy pet rabbits: Snickers and Musketeer.

Happy Owl-idays, Elizabeth!

Volunteer of the Month: Chris McCullough

The question itching at everyone’s mind is ‘who was in the polar bear suit at the Sweaty Sweater 5k and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run?’.

It was none other than the Fort Collins Running Club President and co-race director of the Mountain Avenue Mile: Chris McCullough!  Chris is a Colorado Native who has fostered a love of running his entire life.  He ran track for Colorado State University in the mid- to late-nineties and has made it his mission to bring running to the people of Fort Collins.  Thank you for being an amazing Polar Bear 5k & Polar Plunge mascot, Chris!  You wear the suit well!

Ambassador of the Month: Dan Yap

You can catch Dan Yap running or pacing many local races and volunteering behind the packet pick-up table before running any of the Green Events’ races!  He has also dabbled in the fashion industry by modeling for Runners Roost and Lululemon at the Sweaty Sweaters fashion show!

This month’s Ambassador is Dan Yap. Dan fell in love with running in 2013 when the need to shave some inches off his waistline quickly turned into a life-long love of running.  He continues to stay fit by running the local trails around Fort Collins and is training to run all three Green Events half marathons (Spring Equinox, Human Race, and Fall Equinox) in 2022.  When Dan is not running, he keeps busy experimenting in the kitchen and soaking in the great outdoors!