Mohawk Valley Hill Striders Board

Joe Wilczynski - President
I have been running for over forty one years. I am still an avid runner and still enjoy to run. I am proud to say that my biggest accomplishment is being a Perennial Boilermaker Runner. My other running achievements include the New York City and Philadelphia marathons, numerous half marathons and many other races. Throughout the years, I have been with various running groups, including the Utica Pacemakers and Stueben Striders. Through my running experiences, I have made many great friendships including the MVHS board of directors, who continue to support me in my endeavor of creating an inclusive running group. My passion is training runners for numerous events, whether it is a 5k, Boilermaker, half marathon, or marathon. For the past twenty one years, I have also worked with WKTV on their Go The Distance Program training new runners to run the Boilermaker. I like to provide the runners a supportive environment to help them reach their individual goals. I owe much of my success to my biggest supporters, my family.

Susan Muller - Vice President
I began running late in life, (November 2012) with my one and only goal to run the Boilermaker. I sat on the side line of that great race for years. I decided I needed to complete that before I turned 50. In April 2013 I began training with the “Go the Distance” team and I was selected as the honorary “Go the Distance” 2013 team member. As the 2013 Boilermaker training was nearing completion, I became sad that it was almost over so I conned many of my new running friends to continue training to run the Delta Lake Half marathon that year! And so my running career took hold and I haven’t stopped since! So much for just running the Boilermaker once! Since 2012, I have completed numerous 5k’s, 10K’s, mud runs, half marathons, relay half marathons, relay marathons, Boilermakers and marathons (something I said I would NEVER EVER do)! I plan to continue running for as long as my body holds out! My family has been a source of support and I could not do this without them. I have also met so many wonderful people thru running and they are now some of my very best friends and my second family! I am married with 2 grown children and 4 adorable grandchildren. A word of advice: I have the gift of persuasion so I am constantly talking people into doing many races that they said they would never do! You may be next…..

Kevin Shanley - Treasurer
I am 57 years old and have run 7 Boilermakers and one marathon.

Katie McCauley - Secretary
After years of watching the Boilermaker 15k with coffee and bagel in hand, I joined up with the Go the Distance group in 2012 to train for my first race. I'm an above-knee amputee, and have run a bunch of Boilermakers, half-marathons, and 5 marathons. When I am not running, I work as a librarian, eat cookies, and think about running.

Denise Warzala - Communications & Social Network Administrator
I starting running in 2012 when I signed up for my first Boilermaker. I was never a runner and needed to start somewhere. I joined the WKTV Go the Distance group on their Monday night and midweek runs. The group gave me the support and guidance I needed as a new runner. I thought after running the one Boilermaker I would be done with running. However I had grown to love the sport of running and the many new friendships I have made. I have now completed several 5K's, 10K's, 15K's , 1/2 marathons including a full marathon. When I am not running I enjoy listening to music, gardening, volunteering, spending time with family and friends. I live in New Hartford and have 1 son.

Rebecca Landcastle - Information Technology Officer
I had run a handful of 5Ks and was on the track team throughout middle school and high school, but I never enjoyed running. I decided to suck it up and set a goal to run my first Boilermaker 15K in 2012 -- and then I quit during training. I decided to try again the following year and completed my first Boilermaker 15K in 2013. Thanks to the many health benefits (both physical and mental!) and the incredible people I've met along the way, I've been hooked ever since. A few months later I ran my first half marathon, and two years after that I ran my first full marathon. Since then I've run many 5Ks, 10Ks, mud runs, half marathons and two full marathons, and I plan to keep going for as long as my body will let me. I also enjoy reading, writing, working in the news, relaxing at home and spending time with family.

Romesh Amarasinghe - Board Member
I started running in April 2013 when I was selected for the WKTV Go The Distance team. I had little to no experience with distance running. My initial goal was to complete the Boilermaker, which I did, and my love for the sport and the guidance provided by the group kept me running. To date, I have completed a number of 5ks, two Boilermakers, two relay half marathons, and a half marathon. My Wife and children also run, and we keep ourselves busy with soccer when we are not running. Favourite running quote: “If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” ― John Bingham

Michael Emmerich - Race Coordinator
I started running when I was 45 years old and did it because I wanted to fulfill my 30 year dream of completing just one Utica Boilermaker Road Race. The WKTV Go the Distance program helped me to achieve this in 2013. I could never have imagined the life changing decision that would be for me. I have found that running is very rewarding and it has allowed me to meet many new people who share a passion for running. I have made many great friendships through the Mohawk Valley Hill Striders and I continue to train for more events. In addition to running five Boilermakers, I have completed many 5K & 10K races, several half marathons and one marathon at the Wineglass Marathon. The Mohawk Valley Hill Striders provide different training runs for all level runners. My wife Lori and my three daughters are very supportive of my enjoyment of running. When I am not running I enjoy watching all types of sports and being active in my local Elks Lodge.

Les Dunlap - Membership and Volunteer Coordinator
I first met the hills Striders in 2014. A health scare in the family sent us into a search for a running group for my wife to run safely with. The next year, on a bet with my wife, I applied for the 2015 GoTheDistance team and was selected for this life changing experience. Ran my first Boilermaker that year along with some fun runs and the Empire State Marathon Relay with my wife ,daughter and son. I am a better biker than I am runner, but a novice in both. Currently, I'm working with my Wife and Daughter to help Train them for Triathlons next year.

Kim & Jeff Stevener - Board Member
My name is Kim Stevener and I started running in 2007 when I was selected to be on the Go the Distance Team. Not knowing why I wrote my essay in the first place since I was not runner at all. This program gave me the building blocks and support to develop my love for running. My husband Jeff started running in 2008 the year after me. This gives us the opportunity to spend more time together. We have been married for 30 years with 3 children and 4 granddaughters who keep us busy. I have been employed with Cathedral Corporation for the past 15 years and Jeff with Price Chopper for 31 years. Running is not my only sport that we do; I also do Crossfit and Jeff and I ride our road bikes and participate in the Ride for Missing Children.