Ambassadors
Inspiring You Along the Way
2022 MILWAUKEE LAKEFRONT MARATHON AMBASSADORS
The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon Ambassadors are here to inspire you with their stories, share their training journey, enthuse you with their energy and answer questions that you may have. We are excited to have this opportunity to have their support and hope you will benefit from their experiences, too!
Learn how they got into running, their favorite places to run, what advice they would give to their fellow runners and more.
Arun Sarkar
What are the best things about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon? The amazing volunteers, perfect medium sized marathon, fast point-to-point course and nice Fall weather usually.
How long have you been running?
A little over 10 years.
How did you get into running when you first started?
Every year on January16th, I start something new which is out of my comfort zone or something I don’t want to do. I keep trying that ‘new thing’ for at least few weeks, and see where it takes me. In 2012 I wanted to give ‘running’ a shot. That Jan 16, I ran 4 miles along the lakefront – out of breath, struggling, tired and didn’t enjoy it. But I kept on trying for the next few weeks. On March 31st, just 10 weeks after I started running, I ran my first half marathon, and didn’t look back….training, developing skills, exploring continued…Extremely grateful and blessed to be able to explore many trails throughout the country and run more than 80 marathons and ultras combined, including some of the biggest and most prestigious ones in the world. I’ve met some amazing people and made life-long friendships.
What is your favorite training route?
For daily runs as well as weekend long road runs I stick to the lakefront and Oak Leaf Trail. For long trail runs I absolutely love Lapham Peak and Kettle Moraine.
What is a fun fact about you?
I am much friendlier than I look.
Follow Arun:
Instagram: @arun_loves_exploring
Jenn Collins
What is the best thing about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?
I love the excitement of race day. I love chatting with new runners – you can totally feel their nervous energy. People who have run Lakefront before are always fun to talk to – there’s a reason they keep coming back. Like anything, it is the people who make this race great.
How long have you been running? How did you get into running when you first started?
I started running in 2010 after my son was born. I was really out of shape and I wanted to make sure we could play together at the playgrounds when he was older. Now he’s in sixth grade and he’s a trail runner like me.
What is your favorite training route?
I love trails, so if I have my choice I’m running the trails at Scuppernong.
What are some fun facts about you?
My very first Lakefront marathon was in 2016 – I ran as one of the official 5 1/2 pacers. It was my first time running Lakefront AND my first time pacing a race ever, and I brought our runners in within 15 seconds of our target time. From that moment on, I was hooked on Lakefront and hooked on pacing.
Follow Jenn:
Instagram: @trailrunjenn
Jodi Kasten
What is the best thing about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?
I love seeing all the different high school cross country teams that have come out to volunteer at the water stops. It’s fun seeing the various teams. They are all so enthusiastic and happy to be there. The race truly could not go on without the volunteers!
How long have you been running? How did you get into running when you first started?
I started running in college in 2006. I took a running course and had to complete a 5K to pass the class. Well the 5K turned into an 8K and eventually my first marathon in 2009.
What is your favorite training route?
My favorite training route is running the last few miles of the LFM. I love running from Klode Park down Lake Drive, past Atwater & Bradford into Veterans Park.
What is a fun fact about you?
I used to be a clown and can make balloon animals.
Follow Jodi:
Instagram: @will2bq
Lucia Cronin
What is the best thing about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?
The entire event is a fantastic experience! The support of the spectators and fellow runners is phenomenal. The friendly personality of the Milwaukee community shines through.
How long have you been running? How did you get into running when you first started?
I’ve been running for most of the past 40 years. My older sister was (and still is) a runner. She encouraged me to run the 1984 Chicago Marathon, and I learned that running wasn’t easy. It was difficult and I struggled, and learned that I have more inner strength than I knew.
What is your favorite training route?
I love running the length of Lake Drive. I run outdoors year-round and never tire of the beauty of that route. Running across the wooden foot bridge is Fox Point is special.
What are some fun facts about you?
I do a lot of volunteer work for causes that are close to my heart. Being the captain of the Lakefront Marathon Ambassadors is one of those. Also, my support crew is the best in the world – it’s my family.
Follow Lucia:
Instagram: @marathonambassador
Mary Bolich
What is the best thing about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon? The best thing to me is that it’s a hometown race so it’s a yearly reunion of running friends.
How long have you been running?
44 years
How did you get into running when you first started?
I ran cross country and track in high school and college (UW-Oshkosh) and then started running longer distances.
What is your favorite training route?
I live in the city so I like to head north on a quiet street and return on the Oak Leaf Trail.
What are some fun facts about you?
When I was a freshman in high school, it was the first year girls could run the 2-mile run in track. I wasn’t fast and couldn’t jump or throw so the coach put me in the 2-mile. I ended up loving it. I won LFM in 1989.
Follow Mary:
Instagram: @maryleebolich
Sophie Bolich
What is the best thing about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?
The best thing about the Lakefront Marathon is being able to run in my home city! I love the familiarity of racing on the same streets where I do all of my training. It’s great that my friends and family are able to come and spectate without having to travel far.
How long have you been running? How did you get into running when you first started?
My mom and older siblings are lifetime runners, so I’ve been chasing after them since I learned how to walk. I ran my first race when I was 3 years old, and continued through middle school, high school and college.
What is your favorite training route?
My favorite route is a loop through 3 Bridges Park. It’s a beautiful route and feels like an escape from the bustling city. I especially love going there for recovery runs during the first warm days of spring.
What are some fun facts about you?
Aside from running, some of my favorite hobbies are writing poetry and long boarding. My favorite post-long run foods are seaweed salad and ice cream.
Follow Sophie:
Instagram: @sjbolich
Scott Kasten
What is the best thing about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?
The race is very well organized and takes place at the PERFECT time of year for a marathon.
How long have you been running?
9 years.
How did you get into running when you first started?
My wife Jodi was running the Brewer’s Mini Half Marathon with her sister. I was on duty the night before their race and got a text that one of their friends could not run the race. Up to that point, I hadn’t run any more than 5 miles in my life. I decided to use the bib. Why not? So I got off duty early that morning and drove straight to Miller Park for the race. A few swipes of a black marker and “Heather” became “Heath” on the front of the bib! The gun went off and I was in my first half marathon. I wasn’t sure how to pace or fuel and wasn’t even sure that I could run 13 miles. I’d watched Jodi run countless races, but had zero experience myself. I ended up having a great time and I was hooked. Running became my passion.
What is your favorite training route?
The Milwaukee lakefront — anywhere from Summerfest north to Brown Deer Road. I’d run there every day if I could.
What is a fun fact about you?
I’m a running shoe geek. Ask me about running shoes and I’ll go on and on and on.
Follow Scott:
Instagram: @sjkb25
Amy Schlotthauer
What are the best things about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?
I like how well organized and close to home it is. It’s always fun to participate in the build-up events and see your hometown in a new light on race day.
How long have you been running?
27 years.
How did you get into running when you first started?
I joined high school cross country as an incoming freshman and was hooked!
What is your favorite training route?
I live in Menomonee Falls and I have one long run route that allows me to check out the book selection of 10 little free libraries along the way!
What are some fun facts about you?
I own a public health consulting business and I love to read.
Follow Amy:
Instagram: @amyschlott
Roy Pirrung
What are the best things about the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon?
The great volunteers and the celebration at the finish line.
How long have you been running?
I have been running since July 7, 1980.
How did you get into running when you first started?
I observed a lady running by my house each day and thought, “If she can do it, so can I.”
What is your favorite training route?
I like running on the trails in River Wildlife in Kohler, WI.
What is a fun fact about you?
I am an ultrarunner, but my favorite distance is 5K!
Follow Roy:
Instagram: @roypirrung