iTR Racing Team
Get to know the faces at the starting line. We are looking for some local runners to support on both our Elite and Ambassador Squads. Are you interested?
iTR Elite Racing Team
For 2026 we are partnering with four elite iTR Race Team athletes. The athletes chosen for the elite team have consistent top ten finishes overall and top three finishes in age group categories at local bay area races and beyond. We found some of the best bay area trail runners to partner with. Check them out!
Run EX ANIMO!
Team Member
Zuzana Trnovcova - "I am an avid trail runner, a passionate parrot mom and a software engineer"
Bio
Hometown: Bratislava, Slovakia
Proudest Running Achievement: Probably 2:56 at Boston Marathon 2015 (15 min. PR at that time and still a PR). But breaking the course record at Mesquite Canyon 50-miler 2024 by almost 45 minutes was pretty exciting too.
Top Bucket list Event: Western States; maybe UTMB
Greatest lesson that running has taught you: The importance of consistency, patience and recovery
Favorite Bay Area running trail: Matt Davis trail (plus most trails near Mill Valley, Stinson Beach and Mt. Tam)
Fun and/or interesting personal fact that most of your running friends don’t know about you: My family has always been pretty athletic (my siblings competed in mountain bike orienteering at the international level) and as a child, I was the slowest one on our weekend cycling outings. I only got better after I picked up rowing (freshman year only) and later triathlon and cycling in college.
TENTATIVE 2026 SCHEDULE: Woodside Crossover 50K, Minotaur Skyrace, Kodiak 100K
Team Member
Jayson Hefner - "Someone who wants to get the most out of life every single day"
Bio
Hometown: Fairfield, CA
Years running: 8, I started running marathons during my freshman year of college
Proudest running achievements: Completing Cocodona 250 mile race and winning the American River 50 Miler in 2024
Favorite Bay Area running trail: Lake Ranch trail in Point Reyes National Seashore
Fun and/or interesting personal fact that most of your running friends don’t know about you: I spent four months studying abroad in Ghana, West Africa; I even ran a marathon there!
Why do you want to be part of the iTR Team: I am a Bay Area native and I love iTR races! I recently moved to San Francisco and will be competing in many iTR races this year: across some of my favorite running terrain. I love the community that iTR cultivates. The volunteers, race organizers, and runners are all incredible!
Team Member
Kimberly Neely - "As a NorCal Native, fog lover, Redwood enthusiast, and data scientist. I run with gratitude through this beautiful territory!"
Bio
Hometown: Portola Valley, CA
Years running: 20 Years
Proudest running achievements: Winning and setting a new course record in my first 100 mile race ever; the spectacular Oregon Cascades 100M, and also beating my own Marin Ultra Challenge 50 Mile course record 9 years later.
Favorite Bay Area running trail: I have two trail loops that speak to my soul and I fully recommend, but buckle up, they’re long! In my home of the Marin Headlands and Mt Tam: Tennessee Valley – Coastal – Cardiac Hill – Old Mine – Stagecoach – Northside – Eldridge Grade, all the way up to Tam’s East Peak, then down Old Railroad Grade back to MV. And in San Mateo County’s Windy Hill park: Betsy Crowder – Sweet Springs – Hamm’s Gulch – Lost Trail – Razor Back Ridge – Lake Trail – Arroyo – then back down into PV.
Fun and/or interesting personal fact that most of your running friends don’t know about you: I studied Zingiberaceae (ginger) plants in Malaysia and climbed to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu in pitch black to see the sun rise. The mountain is 4,095 meters and is the third-highest peak of any island on Earth. It’s also home to the only temperate and sub-alpine forest in the area; which was wild to see the similarities to our forests here in Marin. They have their own species of tropical rhododendrons up there.
What else to know about you: I have two adorable pups who also love hiking in Marin; and barking for me at finish lines! My husband, (Ryan) is also on the team, and the best pacer/crew I could ask for
Team Member
Leandra Zimmermann - "I am a human being with two legs that love a little burn and to feel speedy and powerful, with two hands that love to connect and create, with lungs that love to breathe fresh air, and with a heart that loves to share adventures and enjoy nature with others"
Bio
Hometown: Augsburg, Germany
Years running: 19
Top Bucket list event: running my first 50M and 100K, The Speed Project, Grand Canyon R2R2R-alt, running across the Alps
Pre-race snack: Oats, banana & coffee
In-race fuel: Watermelon, oranges, dried mango & dates
Post-race celebration: Sweet baked goods & beer (liquid bread as us Germans like to say)
What are you 2025 running goals: My overarching goal is to stay healthy for the year, to run with joy and to share this passion with others. I also want to go on more adventuresome and explorative runs in nature. Run the Monterey 50M in January – as my first ultramarathon longer than 50K. I am planning to run the Javelina Jundred in October which seems to be a fun first 100K race. In terms of road racing, I am signed up for the Tokyo marathon in March as one of the 25 female semi-elite overseas runners. I am hoping I can run a new marathon PR there. I would like to defend my title in the SF marathon which I won in 2023. In terms of adventure runs, I will be part of a team participating in the speed project (run from LA to LV) and am also thinking of attempting to break a female FKT.
Team Member
Jakob Walter - "A competitive, but cool headed self-starter that is always running something: be it his own business or up a mountain"
Bio
Present town: San Francisco, CA
Years running: 7
Proudest running achievement: Completing my first 100 mile race with a podium finish (Tahoe Rim Trail 100, 2022)
Top bucket list events: Javelina Jundred, Western States, Oregon Cascades 100, Mammoth Trail Fest Triple
Greatest lesson running has taught you: Developing a strong mind and being patient can help you in many avenues of life. This is something I’ve had to work on a lot in the long distance trail ultras. While I have found it immediately helpful for 100K and 100M races, they have also become great qualities in my work and personal life.
Fun and/or interesting personal fact that most of your running friends don’t know about you: I have a private pilot’s license and have flown in 5 different countries.
Why did you want to be part of the iTR Team: I have really enjoyed the races I participated in and find the crew a joy to interact with. I frequently tell folks in the Bay Area (who are looking for a new or first trail race) to check out iTR as I do believe they put on the best and most consistent race opportunities in the Bay Area. I have raced a good amount of trail runs in the past few years and am now starting to look for more ways to be involved with the community. I greatly appreciate the high level of organization and professionalism that the iTR team brings to its events.
Team Member
Ryan Neely - "A high-strung neuroscientist with a lifelong running addiction"
Bio
Present town: Mill Valley, CA
Years running: 24
Proudest running achievement: Winning 3 consecutive marathons in 3 days at the 2015 Tahoe Triple Marathon
Top bucket list event: Western States 100
Greatest lesson running has taught you: Sometimes when you’re struggling to move forward, logic dictates that continuing to try can only wear you down further. But somehow it doesn’t work like that – keep going and somehow you’ll find your strength again.
Favorite Bay Area running trail: The Coastal Trail from Rodeo Beach all the way to Muir Beach
Fun and/or interesting personal fact that most of your running friends don’t know about you: Making really hot hot sauce. Also, I really hate chocolate and have all my life. It’s gross.
iTR Ambassador Squad
We identified the following ambassadors to represent iTR. These ambassadors have shown commitment to the trail community volunteering at events, hosting group runs and always showing up with smiles on their faces. They regularly engage with fellow runners, volunteers and spectators at iTR events, fun runs and happenings in and around the Bay Area. They have shown to be passionate community trail members, good sportsmanship and cheer on the community. We are excited for these positive trail running ambassador for both iTR and the trail running community as a whole.Â
Run EX ANIMO!
Team Member
Terri Choe - "Finding balance through long trail miles, wild places, and the beautiful chaos of everyday life"
Bio
Present town: San Jose
Proudest running achievement: 1st 100 mile finish at Javelina Jundred in 2022
Greatest lesson that running has taught you: Running has taught me how much it resonates with my day to day life. I’ve learned about resilience through challenges: the importance of pacing myself through a race (or life). I’ve also learned the importance of not only the end goal, but putting more emphasis in order to enjoy the journey.
Why do you want to be a part of the iTR Team: Having both run and volunteered at numerous events for iTR, it’s a well run organization that puts on great and well supported races. The people I’ve encountered have been truly exceptional!
Top bucket list event: WSER100, TRT100
2026 Tentative Racing Plans: Quicksilver 100K, Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Miler, Berlin Marathon
Team Member
Michelle Petrillo - "Outgoing, social and passionate about my health and fitness as well as others"
Bio
Present Town: Sacramento, CA
Years Running: 12
Greatest lesson that running has taught you: Be patient, remain calm and focused under pressure, and adapt to changing conditions.
Favorite Pre-race / In-race/ Post-race food and drink: Oreo’s in race, Mimosas after race!
Other hobbies: Paddle boarding, kayaking and strength training
Team Member
Nills Franssens "I seek out challenges that push me to excel, whether in my career or on the trails"
Bio
Hometown: Kruibeke, Belgium
Family: Married to Kelly, also a trail and ultrarunner
Proudest Running Achievement: Winning the inaugural Napa Lapa 3 Hour and finishing Javelina 100M in sub 22 HOURS!
Top Bucket list Event: UTMB full loop
Greatest lesson that running has taught you: The mind-body connection is so important. While I learned this through running, it’s a lesson that applies to non-running life as well. It’s a two way street, a healthy mind can make the body do incredible things and vice versa
Favorite Bay Area running trail: Crystal Springs in Huddart park
Favorite Pre-race / In-race / Post-race food and drink: Nerds gummy clusters and the Free Wave Hazy IPA from Athletic brewing company
Team Member
Briana Ryan - "Blending my love of trails with the joy of community"
Bio
Present town: Monterey, CA
Years running: 12
Proudest running achievement: Running my first 100-mile race (Javelina Jundred) sub-24 hours
Top Bucket List Event:Â Gotta be Western States!
Favorite food and drink: Pre race: Oatmeal or waffles and Coffee In Race: Pop-tarts and whatever sounds good in the moment Post Race: Burritos and a cold drink with friends
Why do you want to be a part of the iTR Team:I want to be part of the iTR Team because I genuinely love their races and the community they’ve built around them. My very first race after moving to California from New York was the Fort Ord Trail Run in 2023, and it introduced me to the Monterey trails that I’ve since fallen in love with. That race played a big part in helping me find my footing here – literally and figuratively – and I’m so grateful for that.
Over the past year, I’ve also created, organized, and led the first women’s trail running group in the Monterey/Peninsula area through Women Run Monterey, with the goal of introducing more women to trail running in an inclusive and welcoming environment. I plan routes, mark courses, support and encourage beginners, and make sure no one gets left behind.
One of the most meaningful parts of this work has been hearing women say they started trail running because of these group runs. Showing women what they’re capable of on the trails – especially those who never saw themselves as trail runners before – has been incredibly powerful. As an iTR ambassador, I’d love to channel that energy into encouraging more women to show up at start lines, experience the joy of racing, and feel that sense of belonging on the trails.
Greatest lesson that running has taught you: That trail running is rarely about perfect conditions – things go wrong, the terrain changes, and your body has off days. The real work is learning how to adapt, listen, and respond in the moment, which turns out to be a pretty useful way to move through life, too.
Where you can tentatively see Briana on the trails in 2026: Fort Ord Trail Run 25K, Lake Sonoma 100K, Sparks Backyard Ultra, Muir Woods Mountain Challenge, Santa Cruz Trail Run 30K
Team Member
Kelly Peeters - "A perfectionist who finds happiness on the trail"
Bio
Hometown: Hoboken, Belgium
Family: Married to Nills, my biggest supporter and fellow trail / ultra (and iTR Ambassador) runner
Years running: 3 years
Greatest lesson that running has taught you: You don’t have to be fast to go far. Just keep moving those legs!
Favorite Bay Area running trail: Pulgas Ridge Open Preserve
What are your racing goals for 2026: For the first time I will be running two ultramarathons in one year. Currently I plan to run Marin Ultra Challenge 50km and Golden State 50km.
We are excited about our iTR Racing and Ambassador Squads for 2026! As of November 2025 we have identified our teams but we welcome you to fill out the form if you are interested as we may add more members throughout the year. Thank you for your interest and support.