About Us

Born and raised in Newfoundland, I moved west at 19 years of age in search of real mountains and a ski bum lifestyle. With $500 to my name and a sense of adventure I somehow made it work and never looked back. Now closing in on two decades here in BC and 10 years as a race director in the Lower Mainland, I am thankful each and every day to be a part of this incredible community of people that gather around trail running events globally.

I’ve been a runner since the 80’s, started adventure racing in 1999, then in 2002 somehow found myself on the other side of the start line as the owner and Race Director of Frontier Adventure Sports & Training (FAST). It’s been an amazing journey from sitting in a coffee shop in North Van with Gary ten years ago, dreaming up the Squamish 50, and nurturing it into the Coast Mountain Trail Running community we’ve managed to build - our crew, the amazing volunteers, and all of you runners that continue to show up at our start lines for some crazy reason 😉

In-between her relentless global travels, mostly to run or support someone at an ultra, Sonia finds time to oversee just about everything on the operations side of things these days. She’s also an expert at keeping the whole team fed with incredible baking, while bringing a sense of calm and good cheer to whatever event she’s at!

Paps has been with us from the beginning, answering the call when we first asked if he would be interested in putting together a logo for a rebranded revival of the old Stormy race. Paps is more of a road runner these days, strategically achieving his 50th marathon on his 50th birthday recently, but he’s a multiple-time finisher of the Squamish 50, a 3-time winner of the Club Fat Ass New Year’s Day 50k and is the proud owner of a couple of Western States buckles.

I have always enjoyed the outdoors, especially multi-day hiking and bike packing trips. I always loved running, but once I was introduced to trail running in 2010, I never looked back. I have run several CMTR events, including 2 finishes for the Squamish 50/50. Living in Chilliwack, I was excited at the thought of a CMTR event right in my hometown. So when I was approached to join the team, I jumped at the opportunity to work with CMTR, and I took the position of VC for Conquer the Vedder. Participating in events is fun. Training for events is fun. But working behind the scenes to help create a successful event is just as rewarding.

I moved from Quebec to BC in 2022 to pursue my passion for the outdoors, and to find people who share the same mountain lifestyle. I found a family among the CMTR team and among the trail running community. Taking part in bringing our love of trail running to people, as course manager or volunteer coordinator, has been fulfilling and so much fun!

I grew up in South Africa, climbing, hiking, and cycling. Although endurance is in my bones, I was a confirmed non-runner until I moved to Vancouver and the Squamish in 2015, when I ran my first marathon (BMO), first ultra (Vancouver 100) and first 100 miler (Kodiak) within a few months. Living across the street from the Squamish 50 finish line, this is one of my favourite repeat races. When I'm not having mid-race naps under bushes, I am a data nerd, and am excited to be contributing to CMTR through volunteer coordination and tech wrangling.

Born and raised in Ontario, Deanne started trail running in 2013, in the suburban trails of Toronto. After running the SQ50 in 2015, she was convinced she found the place she wanted to call her next home, Squamish. Soon after this realization, she packed up her Subaru and drove cross-country to make the move to the coast. When she's not working her full-time job in Human Resources, you can usually find her outside running, hiking, camping, or volunteering at local trail running events. She loves the inclusivity and camaraderie of the trail running community, and is so thankful to be a part of it!

From my first-time volunteering at an adventure race in 2002, I have been involved in many levels of the race event world. Right from the beginning of CMTR, I have been found on the mic for all the CMTR races and involved in plenty of the behind-the-scenes planning. It is always a great time hanging with the CMTR crew, volunteers, and runners on Race Day!

Arnault is from France and comes to us after four years of organizing adventure races in Vietnam. He found his own love of trail running and ultra races after moving to Squamish, which stoked his already strong passion for the outdoors. He has been a great addition to the team, helping take our logistics, course management and overall energy to new heights.

As 1/2 of our HQ / Logistics team, Taylor is the poster boy for cool, calm and organized as he juggles all the logistics of this crazy weekend and help keep the whole thing on the rails, down to the right number of pickles at each Aid Station.

Wing is a reformed city slicker who now enjoys running trails and bagging peaks on Vancouver’s North Shore. Between a full time “day job”, parenting, volunteering, and training for ultras, Wing knew he had to make some sacrifices, so he no longer cleans his house.

North Vancouver born & raised, father of 2 amazing daughters, husband to Barbara. Tom discovered his love for mountains in 2013 with a casual mention from a friend at an Xmas party about running the DV50k, where he signed up on the spot. Tom ran his 1st CMTR event in 2015 at RRR, and from there he has become a fixture at the CMTR weekends where he oversees start/finish line, and aid station support, along with whatever else we throw his way.

In 2015, Marty traveled from California to run the Squamish 50/50… and he never went back. He now lives on the North Shore and has completed over 50 trail ultras. When he isn’t out running, he spends his time developing novel solutions to try and address climate change.

Lily is a self-proclaimed gofer! She’s there to help no matter the task and loves the hype and excitement of races. Seeing the pride and accomplishment in racers is one of her favourite things, and if she isn’t sobbing happy tears at the finish line, she can be found biking and running her way through the beautiful trails of the North Shore Mountains!

Growing up hiking in the PNW, Ian discovered running while living in Toronto, where trails are limited. After moving back to Vancouver in 2020, Ian took his running to the mountains and fell in love with the sport. Ian began working with CMTR in 2024, helping support behind the scenes before and on race day (when not racing himself!).

Tara got involved with CMTR when she moved to Vancouver and didn't know a soul, so she volunteered to make connections, and discover local running routes. She has run ultras around the world and is always eager to hear about must-do races to keep her bucket-list growing. Tara is now looking forward to soaking up all the pre-race excitement as the Package Pick-up Coordinator.

Shannon joined CMTR as the Kid's Race Director, and her enthusiasm for the children's race has grown to the point where she wholeheartedly believes it's the highlight of every running weekend. If she's not working as a counsellor, teacher, coach or Race Directing her own race, she's out exploring mountain biking or trail running trails, or scaling climbing routes. Often sporting a tutu or onesie, you'll also find Shannon volunteering at the beer gardens or SQ50 campsites. See you at the start line, kids!!!

I have been the race / finish line photographer for CMTR since 2015, and have photographed cycling and running events professionally since 2010. I love being outdoors and mostly find myself hiking and mountain biking, though I also love running. The CMTR trail running community is great, one of the best of all the sports I photograph. I love capturing the human element in my photographs — the finish line fist pumps as well as the tears. And I also love capturing these moments for all of the racers, whether you are the first or the last finisher. Everyone has a story and I love capturing that.

Ty is a Squamish based athletic, lifestyle and fine art photographer. You'll probably see him pop up multiple times along the course - how did he get to these locations? Run? Car? Bike? We will never know. Just try your best to smile for the camera, even if you're deep in your pain cave.

Originally from Ireland, Lou came to Canada in 2012 very much a non-runner. Living in Whistler, surrounded by amazing athletes, she was inspired to give running a go and has never looked back! In 2013 she attempted her first trail race and was instantly hooked! Lou is a graphic design and fitness trainer who co-founded We Run Whistler trail running group in 2017 to fill any spare time she may find herself with!

Prior to moving to Whistler I competed in Adventure Races in Australia. I now enjoy running on the local trails here and in Squamish. My first Ultra was Zion 50k and my hardest was Finlayson Arm 50k..I am a bit hooked on life here and consider running in the forests and mountains to be my church to which I frequently visit…