Find Your Virtual Finish Line!
5K, 10K, Half Marathon
VIRTUAL - March 7th to March 14th
Celebrate International Women's Day with a fun walk, jog, hike or run.
Welcome to our 22 Mermaid Ambassadors!
We are thrilled to introduce our 2017 Mermaid Series Ambassadors! Now, communities throughout California will be closer than ever to the Mermaid Family. Each ambassador has a unique and inspirational story and we look forward to highlighting them over the upcoming year. Read below to find an Ambassador near you.
Sharon Mante
I am a runner, foodie and adrenaline junkie based out of Pacific Grove, CA. After a lifetime of being anti-exercise, I ran my first race in 2009 and I've been running ever since! My running adventures can be found on http://rungryrunner.blogspot.com/ where I share my triumphs, tribulations, shenanigans and everything in between.
Nicole King
I am striving to become a Physical Therapist while currently working in health research. I am also an advocate for health and wellness by leading an active lifestyle. Running has been a source of empowerment and pride in achieving my goals. I am excited to encourage others to pursue their goals too!
Selena Baity
Hello, I’m Selena from Northern California. I am married with 2 fur babies.
I always wanted to be a runner, but never thought I was capable. Running has helped me do things I never imagined and has molded me into a goal setting, focused, and very determined woman. I now know who I am and I’m in control of where my life and career are heading. I've made it my mission and goal to help other women see their potential.
You can follow me here:
Instagram: TheFreckledFitGirl / InspiringWomenRunners / Freckled.Fit
Angela Chang Kumar
I'm am so honored to be a part of the Mermaid Ambassador team!!! I have been running for about 6 years. I started a running group with my friends at that time. I am a mother to 3 kiddos who keep me sane and insane. I run to burn the ‘crazies’ off. I run to socialize and catch-up with my running sistas. I run to breathe in the fresh air at the crack of dawn. I run rain or shine. I run because I can! I am so happy that my running sista, Ceciel VN, is also a Mermaid Ambassador!!
Jessica Colmenares
I fell in love with running in 2005. I was a semi-regular gym goer who ran on the treadmill for a mile and thought that was good enough. One day, I hit the gym and turned on the treadmill to de-stress. The next thing I knew I had run 4 miles! After that, I decided to take my running outside and have not looked back since. The Mermaid Series has been a favorite of mine since I began running. Once I got a taste of the great event and girl power, I was hooked. I look forward to being a Mermaid Ambassador and sharing the great spirit of the organization!
Melissa Lopez
I am a Half-marathon runner and fitness enthusiast of three years. I run to celebrate my body and remind myself of my physical and mental strength. I strive to inspire other women to do the same. When I'm not logging miles, I love cooking nourishing meals and blogging at CookSlowRunFast.com.
Cassie Onori
I started out my running journey, almost 5 years and 90 lbs ago, not sure if I could ever “become a runner”. Now, I am here, a mother, a student and a hard worker on the other side of 50 races! I can’t wait for my 5th Mermaid Race!
Vanessa Wallace
Musical theater performer, wife and jokester, I’m a former couch potato turned fitness enthusiast. I lost 90 pounds and found a love of running. I enjoy long distances. I have completed multiple half marathons and my first marathon! You can spot me on a run taking selfies and having fun. You can follow me on Facebook at: Vanessa goes from Fat to Fit https://www.facebook.com/fattofitvanessa/
Or on Instagram: @vancesa
Judy de Los Santos
I was not the most athletic child growing up. I didn’t really take care of myself in my late teens, as well as my 20’s. Reality checked in when I reached my 30’s. Then, came my bright idea of running a full marathon in 2007. I have been running since. As a mom, wife, and career-oriented woman, running gives me the time I need to balance my thoughts and stress. Running makes me appreciate what strength my body is capable of pulling off. Running reminds of what life is about. Be in the moment.
Elena Costa
I started running in 2005 in an effort to get fit. Since 2005, I have run over 100 races. Similar to the Mermaid Series mission, I enjoy introducing others to the supportive running community. I strive to share the joy of running through the Embrace Running Podcast that I co-host. You can find my Podcast here: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/embrace-running-podcast
Elizabeth Gomez
I love running, hiking and any workout that challenges me both mentally and physically. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling and eating delicious food. I am training for two half marathons in 2017 and I'm excited to continue my running journey as a Mermaid Series Ambassador!
Corinne Michelsen
I am Corinne. I am a 35 year old woman from San Jose. I am a nurse, baker, and a runner. I started running 5 years ago at 260lbs and lost 140 pounds. Running is my happy zen place. I document my journey on my blog https://12runsin12months.wordpress.com/. I love the Mermaid Series runs and am excited to be a part of the empowerment.
Ashley Nelson
I am a Bay Area native, a wife, a mom, a trail and road runner. I have run countless 5k, 10k's, half marathons, a handful of 35k's, 2 marathons and a 50k. It is my goal to inspire others to do the things they think are impossible. I have run all my races, and even won a few, as a disabled athlete. In 2009, I was told I may never walk again and now I average 25-52 miles a week, not counting my family walks around our neighborhood. I eat hills for breakfast. As a traumatic brain injury survivor, I'd like to motivate all people to make their impossible a possibility.
Read more on her inspiring story in our Inspirational Mermaid interview.
Christy Hunt
Homeschooling mom to 4, surrogate mom to 5, nurse with aspirations of being a midwife, quilter wanna-be, paleo follower, Disney fan, and SCA dabbler. I have run a handful of 5k's, 10k's, and halfs. I have run 1 marathon and 1 ultra-marathon. I am hoping to participate in an Ironman one day...or, maybe even Boston.
Bessy Leszczynski
I ran my first 10k event in 2008 and hated it. In 2011, I received a 5k bib transfer from an injured runner and somehow untrained, finished 3rd in my AG. By 2015, a goal was made and completed. A Meb Keflezighi quote sums it up: "Most of us have enough areas in our lives where we have to meet other's expectations. Let your running be about your own hopes and dreams." The gift of running is a personal joy and one I share with everyone I meet, since it has opened a channel I never had growing up. The Mermaid Series encourages all ages, and I love watching the young girls see their mothers, neighbors and strangers enjoying health in fitness. It's powerful.
Ceciel Nues
I’m so excited to have been selected as a Mermaid Series Ambassador and to be part of this amazing group. Fitness has always been an integral part of my life, before and after having 3 kids. Before kids, it was a way to stay active and socialize with friends. After kids, it was a way to show them that fitness is important at all ages, to keep up with them, and also to do something for me. I wasn’t always a fan of running, but after meeting up with my running sisters and fellow Mermaid Series Ambassador, Angela Kumar, running on the weekends was just icing on the cake. Since 2012, I’ve participated in 5K’s, 10K’s, and now Half Marathon’s. It’s been an amazing adventure and so glad to I started!
Lisa Griswold
I am a runner and aspiring triathlete. Having begun the sport of running for leisure in 2008, I have tracked countless miles on the road and on the trails. I have found health, motivation, and community in the practice. A Bay Area local, I enjoy sunshine and navigating new cities, often with a pair of laces on.
Stefany Fuentes
I am a 28-year therapist who loves sharing her passion for running with the community. I started running in an effort to lose 80 pounds and stabilize my diabetes and mental health. I’ve since run 5 marathons, 25 half marathons, and too many 5k’ & 10k’s to count. Running has turned into my self-care. My next goal race is to complete the Mermaid Tri.
April Chun
Aloha! My name is April Chun and I've run two full marathons in San Francisco and perhaps a dozen or more half marathons in California and Hawaii. I've also completed dozens of triathlons in both the international sprint distance and the shorter Tri-for -fun series. My favorite vacations are destination races as it takes you places you never thought you would visit.
Right now, I like running trails downhill to get that endorphin high. I've recently gotten back into dancing ballet. I find running with the five finger toe shoes really strengthens my ankles and muscles I didn't know I had. I love being outdoors enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and jogging meditation.
Beth Nu
My name is Beth Nu, I got into the sport of triathlon because a client told me one day, "If you can swim, ride a bike and run, you CAN do it, and why not? It's really fun" saying, "Tri for Fun, you will love it." She was right. So here I am, a weight loss counselor (that's my day job) coaching her to believe in herself, make a commitment to feel better every day by sticking to HER healthy regimen and she ended up opening MY eyes to a beautiful experience, I'm still thankful. I found out I don't have to be a major athletic superstar to feel fulfillment crossing the finish line, (as long as I'm somewhere in the middle ;-) Thank you Mermaid Series for giving me a physical way to express passion for my life. By the way, at 42 I did my first Triathlon. It was my birthday present to myself to prove "I still got it."
Lynda Trujillo Strand
I'm a 30 year old Cuban-American from Miami with a passion for travel, adventure & running. So far I've done 9 half marathons and countless other distances like 5ks, 10ks,15ks, and sprint triathlons. But the coolest thing I've done lately is run a 5k while pregnant in Paris,France this year! I look forward to completing more races with my little girl and telling her all about it one day. I'm so honored to be part of the Mermaid series and can't wait to share the magic of their empowering events!
Blog: www.AdventureLatina.com
Instagram: @HitTheRoadJane
Laura Moir
Laura started running in 2009, completing nearly 90 races to date including two full marathons and over 30 half marathons. At first, running was just a way for Laura to get back into shape after having her second child, but it quickly became a lifelong commitment and Laura is always challenging herself to train smarter, push harder and run farther and is more than honored to be a Mermaid Athlete.
Blog: Running 4 The Reason
Instagram: @LauraRunning
Facebook: facebook.com/running4thereason