RWP Hippie Chick Half Marathon Pacing Team 

Back by popular demand! We will have a group of women that will be running different paces to assist you in your running goal again in 2013. These women are hand picked because they are experienced, motivating and resourceful.  These Pacers all have wonderful running histories and stories to help you along the way. Come say hello to them at the starting line and get to know them, they are here for you!!

Nikki Rafie: 7:30 min pace per mile

Hi…. I’m Nikki Rafie.

I started running 24 years ago when I was in my mid-20s, as my new fitness “gig” with a friend…. Loved it and made it my own!Along the way, I have won the Portland Marathon and whole bunch of other races in the area. I’ve had the honor of qualifying and competing in two US Olympic Marathon Trials. I have been a member of several Hood-to-Coast winning teams over the years, including Team Runwithpaula. I’m thrilled to still be running and competing as a Masters runner.

Given my demanding high-pressure corporate career, running and racing gives me a healthy balance and new strengths to apply to all aspects of my life … Not to mention all the insane fun and friendships J

I’m also a RRCA Certified running coach and truly enjoy developing runners of all abilities and watch them reach their goals. I love to share my energy, enthusiasm and knowledge to drive my athletes and motivate my fellow runners to go for what’s possible and not just settle for what they think they can do.

It’s what you make of it all …. So let’s make it awesome!

Brittney VanVleck: 7:45 minute pace per mile

Brittney is an avid runner, having completed 12 marathons and more 1/2 marathons than she can count.  She is a proud member of the Team RWP Hood to Coast team and has a marathon PR of 3:13.  Running for Brittney is about feeling strong, building lifelong friendships, and having fun along the way.
When she's not running, brittney is busy planning her wedding and working as an oncology sales representative.  She lives with her ironman fiancé and 2 very crazy cats.

Thank you for organizing such a great race!! I set a PR and won my age group, much to my utter surprise! This qualified me for my goal--to qualify for guaranteed entry for the New York Marathon 2012! Your race was well organized, and I loved the flat course. The pacers were a nice help as well, and I wonder if you have any contact info for pacer Marni--I would like to thank her for "running me in"--she was so much fun! Thanks again, Paula!
Kimberly Anchell

Marni Renison: 8:00 minue pace per mile - Quarter Marathon Pacer

Marni Renison had been running for 8 years and has completed 8 marathons, but loves all distances.  She has been married for 14 years, has two beautiful daughters and currently lives in Portland.  Marni has run for Run With Paula for four years and plans her life around Hood to Coast; it's her favorite weekend of the year!  She also runs with a track team in Portland called Team Athena, which is an all women's group.  Marni is active in her community and encourages balance, health and wellness of all women. 

Amanda Davidson: 8:15 minute pace per mile

Amanda is a local runner with many marathons and road races under her belt and is on the RWP Hood to Coast Team. Amanda is sure to keep you entertained along the way as she is not only beautiful and fast but very funny!! Amanda is the the owner of Willamette Coffee House in West Linn, OR and has two kids and an Ironman husband. Amanda ran 3:23 last year at CIM and just won her age group division at the Redding Marathon in December. Amanda is on the Runwithpaula Hood to Coast Team. Amanda will be the pacer for 8:15 min per mile group.

Aubree Swart: 8:30 pace per mile

"Get ready to feel the love and the tough love! Aubree is the Director of Physical Therapy at Therapeutic Associates Northeast Portland Physical Therapy. As a therapist she can help you get physically stronger and can make you mentally tough! Anyone that gets to run with Aubree is luckkkkeeeeey! Aubree has been running for over 20 years and is very competitive in local road racing. She is also on the RWP Hood to Coast Team and has a marathon PR of 3:13."

Everyone loves Aubree!!
Hi Paula, I have to give a big thank you to you for the race today and to the wonderful 8:30 pacer. My 2 friends and I followed her all race, finished by passing by her and finished with an overall 8:28 pace. I’d say she did her job to a tee. Thanks to both of you for a very very fun Mother’s Day morning. My buddy Sarah Dunkin PR’ed today with the pacer’s help. Please pass on our big thanks. See you next year, Hilary Johnson

Christina Knopf: 8:45 pace per mile - added bonus Ernie Conway just for funsies

I am a nurse and a Runwithpaula Crew member. I have been married for 16 years and have 2 teenage children. I started running in college and have been running for 22 years. I have completed 2 marathons, 10 Half marathons, 2 sprint triathlons and The Pacific Crest Olympic Triathlon in 2011. My biggest accomplishment is competing in the Wildflower Olympic triathlon. I will compete with Team Runwithpaula for my second year of Hood to Coast in August.

I run for many reasons, mostly because running is an outlet for me. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore new trails.
I run to be with my friends. I run because It is what I do and I love the way it makes me feel.

Looking forward to being your 8:45 pacer!

Hi Paula,

Thank you for a wonderful day today! This was my 5th Hippie Chick, and it was a blast! Although the park was lovely, I really enjoyed the venue today, and it was great being a part of a race with so many more women! I also have to call out Christina, the awesome 8:45 pacer. She was fabulous! See you next year!
Jill Harris

Jill Allsop McDonnell - 9:00 min pacer per mile

JILL: Lucky you if you run 9:00 min pace!! Jill is another member of the RWP Hood to Coast Team and has about 100 marathons under her belt and a few Half Ironmans. Jill was nurse of the year at OHSU and is as tough as nails. If any boys bug you on the course she will beat them up!! Jill is married and has two amazing kids and is training for her first Ironman. Go Jill!!

Tina Wood - 9:30 pace per mile

TINA: I left my 80's leg warmers behind and started "jogging" years ago because of my friends. Now, years later, children and a few half iron man's later...I still find I am still running primarily because of my friends!

I am busy just like the rest of us juggling life between family and career. Running with friends is the time I allow for me. It keeps me healthy and it keeps me sane! I am currently training for Ironman Coeur d' Alene 2012.

Hippie Chick is sooo fun and I'm looking forward to running with you groovy girlfriends!

 Kim Turner: 10:00 pace per mile

“Today, we will be a cross country team” was the phrase I never wanted to hear from my soccer coach.  It meant we did something wrong and we were being punished.  And I hated the running.  Or so I thought.  I took up running in her really late 20’s as a way to keep fit once she realized that she would not be a professional soccer player (and all of the teams, at that time, folded).  Now, running is my quiet time, my happy time, my time to evaluate and test who I am each day.  Running is the thing that makes me better at being me.  I have run 4 marathons, over 20 half marathons, a few 10k’s and 5k’s,  and I hope to one day dabble in triathlons.  I am busy like many other ladies juggling a demanding  career and a husband, but running is where I keep coming back to.  I love “all ladies” events.  There is nothing more awesome that a group of ladies racing, smiling, and supporting each other.  

Shelly Beckers: 12:00 pace per mile

Shelly started running at the age of 40, on a treadmill class Paula Harkin taught. Shelly has completed over 6 marathons, 5 triathlons, 7 half marathons and over 10 years of the Hood to Coast Relay. Hard work, dedication and passion are three words that define Shelly Beckers as a runner. No matter the weather, which can be truly unpredictable in Portland, you will find her out there running and a smile on her face. She runs not just for the physical exercise, but for the camaraderie. "Running clears your head, silences thoughts and allows you to focus on nothing but your next step forward and the pavement (or trail) in front of you." For Shelly running isn’t about finishing first, it’s about self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement. It’s about setting a goal and not slowing up until you cross the finish.

Shelly’s goal is to stay fit after 50!

Lynette Hawkins: SUPERFAST WALKER (you can jog with her too!) 12:15 pace per mile (no kidding)

I started running at age 40 because I wanted to be fit. I also wanted to try to run on my work team. After 10 years of injuries, I decided I would try walking. I joined a local walk club and Saturdays weren’t enough and too slow. Some of us started walking during the week. I got on a racewalk team with a bunch of great women (Untethered Soles). Our first year together we took 7th in Women’s Masters at PTC. I have walked many RWP events but the Hippie Chick has always been my favorite. Thanks to Paula and team for great races (and shirts too!). I feel honored to be a pacer for such a fun event!

Celia Perkins: 12:30 pacer per mile WALKING PACER

Photo: Celia participating in the first Hippie Chick!

Celia has always been very active, but at the age of 40 she decided to kick the habit of smoking and took the price of a carton of cigarettes and paid a race entry instead. After participating in the Portland to Coast, she became addicted to the sport of walking events. Celia's first marathon, the Portland Marathon, has been followed by 11 marathons, over 100 plus half marathons and an ultra-marathon!

Celia shares her passion of staying healthy and fit as the Program Director of Portland Fit and Portland Fit - South where she is found each weekend morning during the training season. Celia is the Team Captain of the team, "Fit to Finish" which is made up of mostly Portland Fit members of the Walking Group.

If you know Celia, she is very outgoing and very young at heart. She has a lot of energy and enjoys being around active people. She loves to travel, especially to warm tropical places with endless sandy beaches, clear blue water and umbrella drinks...she's a Sun Worshipper and likes a wide variety of activities to have fun in the sun. She likes to be spontaneous; her travel bags are always ready to go anytime and anywhere! Her favorite travel companion is her son, Matt.

Celia has found her purpose in life and living the dream!