Bios

Bios:

Co-Runner-in-Chief- Rob Rives

Education:  Rob is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, class of 2011.  He received a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Science, with a focus in Ecology and Environmental Biology.

What he does:  Rob works as an outdoor professional in a variety of capacities, including but not limited to: guiding and instructing groups in the discipline of rock climbing, working as an environmental educator for the AMC's Mountain Classroom program, and guiding hikes/interpretive natural history programs in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  He has a huge passion for movement and can often be found dancing or pacing when not actively engaged.  Since the age of 12, Rob has been through various cycles of treatment for mild- to moderate guttate psoriasis.

Running experience:  Rob has been running for five years and running trail ultramarathons for three, with top-five finishes in the Pine Mountain 40-miler and Virginia 24-hour Run for Cancer.  Racing is not his priority however; Rob finds more fulfillment in the "fun-run" ultras of the WNC Trail Running group and in running ultras for a cause, such as running across state lines with Runs for Relief!

Co-Runner-in-Chief- Jon Harrison

Education: Jon is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, class of 2011.  He received a Bachelor's of the Arts in Spanish while serving as the Treasurer of Sigma Delta Pi, UNC-Asheville's chapter of the Spanish National Honors Society.

What he does:  Jon scoops ice cream at The Hop Ice Cream Cafe in Asheville, North Carolina and works at the Black Mountain Running Company.  Through the Literacy Council of Buncombe County, he teaches English classes to native Spanish-speakers.  Outside of these activities he enjoys riding his bike and playing the guitar.  As they say, "behind every half-decent man is an indescribably incredible woman"; he and his wife, Melissa, and been married for over a year and a half, and spend as much time together as possible, usually in the woods with their dog, Luna.  Oh yeah, and he likes to run.  Follow this link to his blog to read more about his running adventures.

Running Experience:  Jon has completed and competed in 5ks, half-marathons, and many ultra-marathons.  Runs for Relief is a wonderful motivator to continue training even when the weather runs amok .

Rob and Jon on a thru-run of the Art Loeb trail