YON YILMA
Co-Founder
What running club are you part of?
I am the founder of Cascade Run Club (CRC).
Why do you love running?
Running comes naturally to me. While I started as a soccer player, I found peace in running. Some days I love it, and some days are a struggle, but the CRC community reignites my passion, and seeing others' joy keeps me motivated. One of my favorite quotes from Bill Bowerman is, "If you have a body, you are an athlete."
Why the Marathon Team Series (MTS)?
I've always loved cross country and the marathon because, in both sports, you are competing against time and yourself. Cross country offers the team aspect that I've always cherished, while the marathon lacks that team dynamic, which I greatly miss. MTS was born from our passion for racing, both individually and as part of a team. There is a joyful feeling that comes from achieving goals, both personally and collectively with a team.
What makes you excited about MTS?
Running is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, thanks to run clubs, meet-up groups, and pop-up runs. This activity has united many people, and MTS is contributing to this sense of community by bringing more runners together to race as one. MTS's equalizer scoring system emphasizes that every runner matters, regardless of age, gender, or finishing time.
DARYL LEWIS
Co-Founder
What run clubs are you a part of?
Cascade Run Club (Seattle, WA) & Wednesday Night Running Club (Cayman Islands)
Why do you love running?
Running is a life-long integral part of my life. Without running, I'm sure I wouldn't be the same person as I am today. The discipline to train and push myself beyond expectations started in high school cross country and continues today in my mid-50s, having achieved my six-star award and age group championships.
Why MTS?
MTS introduces a new level of team competition to a sport that is built around the individual. MTS promotes participation with an equalizing scoring system that enables a female in her 60s to compete with a male in his 20s. MTS events provide social engagement to event travel and bring more meaning to our lifelong journey. It's my chance to give back to the running community.
What makes you most excited about MTS?
After years and years of individual running and travel around the world, the idea of a series of annual team racing events is simply exciting.
MTS empowers the core social networking we all aim for when joining a run club or simply meeting up to run with friends. Plus, with activities throughout the event weekend, travel is more meaningful - more worth it.
TANSEY HENSLEY
Community Lead
What running club are you part of?
I run and coach for a team called Boulder Underground.
Why do you love running?
I love running because it has taught me how strong and tough I can be, and it’s given me so much good in my life- from friendships and meeting my husband, to pursuing higher education and traveling to races all over the country. I also love that it’s a sport that you can pick up at any time. Regardless of your age or ability level, anybody can become a runner and experience the feelings of pride and sense of accomplishment from the work they put in!
Why the Marathon Team Series (MTS)?
Cross country is my favorite part of the sport, so I love the idea behind bringing back the team element to competitions! The sport can feel a little lonely if you’re someone who usually trains alone or doesn’t travel to races with a club, so I love the intention to build a deeper sense of comradery and community within the running world.
What makes you excited about MTS?
I love that MTS gives new runners a chance to experience the sense of team comradery and accomplishment that many of us experienced early in our running journey by running cross country. It’s exciting for all runners, regardless of age, gender, or experience level, to have the chance to meaningfully contribute in a team racing atmosphere.
RAHHEL WOLDU
Marketing Lead
What running club are you part of?
I run with Cascade Run Club, alongside my dear friend and club president, Yon Yilma.
Why do you love running?
Running has always been my experience of joy. Since I was a child, it’s been the most constant source of joy I’ve been able to anchor to. I love running for both the solitary moments that draw me closer to myself and to God, and for the way it draws me closer to community. Running with others reminds me how we guide each other back home to ourselves.
Why Marathon Team Series?
I love the Marathon Team Series because it brings the team spirit of cross country back to the marathon world. Running can sometimes feel solitary, but MTS creates space for connection, support, and shared accomplishment. It’s exciting to see runners of all levels regardless of age, experience, or pace. Come together to contribute to something bigger than themselves. For me, MTS is about celebrating both individual effort and collective joy, and it reminds us that running is as much about community as it is about the miles we cover.
What makes you excited about MTS?
I’m excited about MTS because it gives runners the chance to experience the energy of team competition, even in a sport that’s often solo. I love seeing people cheer each other on, push each other forward, and celebrate collective effort. It’s inspiring to watch runners of all backgrounds and abilities come together, contribute, and feel that sense of shared accomplishment that makes running so meaningful.
JARED MICHAEL BROWN
Event Producer
Jared Michael Brown is an Event Producer with Marathon Team Series, bringing over a decade of live event production experience to the world of endurance sports. Known for his calm precision under pressure, Jared specializes in translating complex logistics into seamless, engaging experiences for runners, guests, and sponsors alike.
Before joining Marathon Team Series, Jared spent nearly a decade on stage as a musical theatre performer. In 2017 he moved to New York City to begin producing large-scale conferences, entertainment shows, and corporate events around the world. He’s passionate about live experiences, where hundreds of moving elements converge to create a single, unforgettable moment,
Although he now works alongside some of the world’s most dedicated athletes, Jared’s own running career peaked in middle school cross country — a promising chapter that ended the day he discovered the stage. He’s been running shows ever since.