Trailblazers
The Highball Trailblazer Ambassador Program is more than a promotion team—it’s a crew of runners, ruckers, and volunteers who believe in the spirit of this race and want to help it grow. Our Trailblazers are the heartbeat of the event: They share their journeys, welcome newcomers, and help spread the word in their local and online communities.
Meet the 2026 Crew!
Clara Ames (Dover, PA): 50 Mile Clara is a passionate member of Trail Sisters and a familiar face in the women’s trail running community. She’s ready to take on her first Highball—a race that’s been on her bucket list since before she started running ultras. Clara hopes to encourage others, especially women balancing life, family, and healing, to believe in their strength and face challenges head-on: “The only way to do it is to go through it.”
Nicole Ash (Ridge Spring, SC): 50K Nicole is, in her own words, “obsessed with HB2TH!” After three years of battling foot injuries, 2025 was finally her year—and the experience delivered everything she dreamed of: the trails, the people, the small towns, and the magic of race weekend. A passionate advocate for the trail community, Nicole encourages runners to give back by learning trail maintenance basics: “Anyone can carry a branch nipper and help clear while running.”
Valerie Bryant (Clarksville, VA): 50K or Relay Valerie has completed Highball to Thurmond twice—first as part of a relay team and then solo in the 50K—and each experience has left her inspired by the course, community, and energy that define the event. Though she’s not from the New River Gorge area, she’s continually awed by its beauty and the way it lingers long after race day. “It’s one of those places that sticks with you.”
Taylor DeMaria (Charleston, WV): 50 Mile Taylor is taking on her first 50 miler at Highball to Thurmond—a personal milestone and a celebration of the place she now calls home. Since moving from Ohio to West Virginia in 2020, she’s fallen in love with the state’s trails and the growth she’s found through distance running. After crewing her husband at Rim to River 100, she’s ready to experience that same ultra magic firsthand. Passionate about creating space for others, Taylor dreams of launching a trail running group for moms—a supportive community that helps women reconnect with themselves, the outdoors, and one another at every stage of motherhood.
Eliza Douglass (Baltimore, MD): 50K Eliza ran her first ultra at Highball to Thurmond in 2025—a 50 miler that pushed her limits, exceeded her expectations, and deepened her love for trail running. What began as a daunting challenge turned into a joyful, life-changing experience thanks to the incredible HB2T community of runners and volunteers. This year, she’s returning for the 50K, eager to see what she can do on familiar trails that hold special meaning—where she once said yes to her now-husband and discovered just how strong she truly is. Eliza believes we’re all capable of more than we realize, and she’s excited to pass that encouragement on to others when the going gets tough.
Alix Ford (Morgantown, WV): 50 Mile Alix fell in love with Highball to Thurmond after running the 55K in 2024, calling it a race with “a lot of heart and an old-school, mom-and-pop feel.” After a serious injury sidelined her from completing the 50 miler she trained for, she’s ready to make HB2T her first finished 50 miler—a deeply personal comeback on the very trails where she last crossed an ultra finish line. For Alix, it’s not just about the miles—it’s about celebrating the spirit of West Virginia and the tight-knit community that makes this race so special.
Cody Goforth (Morgantown, WV): 50 Mile Cody ran the 55K as his first ultra two years ago and was instantly hooked by the beauty of the course and the energy of the community. He’s returning to push himself and get faster, chasing both progress and the joy that comes from long miles through the Gorge. From the sweeping river views framed by vines to the friendships forged on the trail and at aid stations, Cody knows that Highball isn’t just a race—it’s a place where connection and challenge meet.
Sarah Hampton (Greensboro, NC): 50K Sarah is a returning Trailblazer Ambassador who has completed both the 55K (2023) and 50K (2025)—and she’s back for more. She loves promoting Highball to Thurmond and inspiring others to step outside their comfort zones, especially by showing that runners of all body types belong on the trails. Known for her positivity and determination, Sarah is chasing a new goal this year: beating her previous time and proving that progress matters just as much as perseverance. As she puts it, the course may be tough, but the views, the aid stations, the supportive community—and yes, even Rich’s heckling—make every mile worth it.
Amanda Heisey Gallagher (Bainbridge, PA): 50 Mile After missing last year’s race due to injury, Amanda is coming back stronger than ever and ready to represent a course she’s long admired. A true lover of West Virginia’s trails and scenery, she’s excited to add Highball to her list of adventures in the region. Amanda thrives on the mix of solitude and connection that trail running brings—relishing the quiet beauty of the woods and the chance to swap smiles and stories at the aid stations along the way.
Grace Lenhart (Fairmont, WV): 50 Mile Grace embodies the heart of Highball to Thurmond—resilient, honest, and endlessly determined. After two DNFs in the 50 miler and a strong finish in the 50K, she’s coming back to chase that elusive 50M finish after completing the 100K at Wolverine State 100 this fall. A returning 2025 Trailblazer Ambassador, Grace shows up even when things are hard, reminding others that you don’t have to be perfect to belong in this community. “Be imperfect and show up anyway,” she says. “It will be hard—and you will survive.” For Grace, Highball feels like coming home, and she can’t stop returning for the people, the place, and the challenge.
Michael Lester (Mebane, NC): 50 Mile Michael has completed the Highball to Thurmond 50 miler twice—in both 2024 and 2025—and is a familiar face at Trivium Racing events across the region. A passionate trail runner with a love for growth and grit, he describes Highball as a “beautiful and accessible ultra,” perfect for those ready to test their limits in a supportive, scenic setting. For Michael, it’s more than just a race—it’s a place to reflect on progress, connect with others, and take in unforgettable views like the climb out of the gorge and the sweeping overlook near mile 40. This year, he’s returning to tackle the challenge again—hopefully with fewer pity parties at the last aid station and more snacks with a view.
Sarrah Lombardo (Summerfield, NC): 50K Sarrah is a proud 2025 Blackbeard’s Revenge Ambassador, a huge supporter of Trivium Racing, and a newly minted ultrarunner after finishing her first 50K at Highball to Thurmond in 2025. She’s passionate about showing others that ultras aren’t reserved for elite athletes—they’re challenging but absolutely doable with the right mindset and community. As she puts it, “It’s really just going from snack station to snack station—how fast you get there is up to you.”
Ashley Miller (Atlanta, GA): 50 Mile Ashley has cheered from the sidelines as a Highball volunteer, and now she’s ready to take on the challenge herself—running the 50 miler with the train chasing close behind. She loves the thrill of the tight 14-hour cutoff and the sense of adventure that comes with it. A part-time team member at The Big Peach Running Co., Ashley is passionate about helping others discover the sport she loves and believes the New River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places on the East Coast—the perfect backdrop for testing your limits.
Amber Patterson (Woodbine, MD): 50 Mile Amber is new to Highball to Thurmond and brings a powerful message of resilience, patience, and determination. A working mom of two and an ultrarunner in her 40s, she’s passionate about showing other women in the same stage of life that it’s possible to chase big goals while balancing family, career, and changing bodies. Though she planned for Highball 2025 to be her first 50 miler, unexpected health challenges led her to pivot and persevere—pushing through Ragnar Trail Richmond as part of a women’s ultra team that covered 120 miles in 22 hours. Amber continues to refine her training and health, learning what works for her as she builds toward new distances and inspires others to do the same.
Beth Talbert (Greensboro, NC): 50K Beth is a familiar face at Trivium Racing events, with finishes at Blackbeard’s Revenge 100K and Highball to Thurmond 50K among her many adventures. She’s living proof that age is no barrier to grit, humor, or chasing big goals: “I want people to know there are older runners out here too. We can do hard things.” A lover of the West Virginia mountains—and their occasional surprises—Beth jokes about collecting trail scars along with memories. What started as a journey to get healthy has evolved into a life filled with endurance, community, and joy.
