Miguel and his siblings--who needs shoes when you have trail and dirt everywhere, funny how life works now that i have unlimited shoes..  Miguel is second tallest next to Jose and Mari Galeana.  In our village up high in the mountain regions of Mexico. It was an 8 hr hike to the nearest town of Arteaga.

Miguel is far left running with Route 16 team members 2010

OWNER AND MANAGER

“Esta es mi vida”.  In the Spanish language this means this is my life.  As a child I came with my family from the barren regions of southern Mexico plains.  We came, the seven of us, with nothing but the clothes on our back.  It is said that desperation is the best motivator, and I have found this to be true.  In Grade school, elementary school and High school, when other children where playing games I was working in the forest to help support my family.  We planted trees, picked mushrooms, salal, berries, moss and fern to survive, still, with seven mouths to feed there was never enough.

I vowed to do better.  I worked hard in school and got good grades, but my real opportunity came at Hoquiam Middle School.   All the hard physical labor I did as a child transformed me into a skilled and muscular athlete.  I joined the school track team and I knew I had found a way out.  I was introduced to PEAKING by my coach in Middle school.   There I learned the importance of being consistant and attentive to my goals.  That year our goal to specifically peak at the district meet to break an old record of 4:47 in the mile, I trained hard and met that goal.  This approached worked and I took it to the high school level.  In high school I won 4 state track championships at Lincoln Bowl and one cross country championship in Pasco, gaining national recognition.  By this time my father managed a crew in the forest thinning industry so I would put in a full day of logging and planting trees and then run the five miles in dirt roads.  It was hard work, but it paid off.  This was my ticket out, a full ride running scholarship to Montana State University. 

At MSU I continued to succeed with the same philosophy, winning Five Conference Championships  which included the 1500m, 3000m steeplechase (8:39), indoor mile (4:01) and one cross country championship.  This would earn Two All-American honors in the 3000m SteepleChase at the NCAA Division IA championships. 

As an Asics sponsored athlete for 6 years I was privileged to have run and competed in many road races and national cross country championships.  Road races included Marathons, Half Marathons (1:07), 10k (30:10 road) and 8k (24:08). 

After MSU I would end up Working one year at Super Jock and Jill in Seattle  where I got addicted to the lifestyle of running.  After the one year I opted to go south and work at the local running store in Olympia, South Sound Running would be my home for the next 8 years.

Most recent in 2010 I was privileged enough to be inducted in the Hall of Fame in Bozeman, Montana as a member of the 1993 Montana State Univeristy Cross Country Team and as an individual.  I have lived an amazing life from my village days to my new life in Gig Harbor, I hope to continue to provide a service that is unmatched. 

Today I do what I enjoy most, own my running store in Gig Harbor, WA. 

My mission today is to continue to TEACH, ADVISE and EDUCATE the sport that has been so great to me.  Thank you for your support.

Kris Tebb--Master Mind behind the the Route 16 scene...and marathon runner extraordinaire!

Kris has been with Route 16 since our opening day in 2008, and we're so very grateful and lucky to have her. She brings a vast wealth of experience and knowledge to the store. In addition to being an experienced marathon runner (we dare you to ask her how many times she's run Boston!), she's also worked as a Pilates teacher, a nutritionist, a healer, and as an accountant. She's also one of the founders and leaders of the Dirty Girls, Route 16's all womens trail running group. You can find Kris in the shop or on the roads and trails where she feels most alive. But you'll have to catch her first. She's pretty speedy. Thank goodness she's so friendly! Whether she's working on the floor or behind the scenes (helping Boss Miguel decide the future of the company), Kris is always doing something to make Route 16 a better place to work, shop, and to play. 

Alexa Martin

In high school I hated running. No matter how slow I went I couldn't even run a lap around the track without gasping. As it turned out, I had an undiagnosed case of asthma. At the age of nineteen, armed with my first inhaler, I ran three miles without dying. This run was at once a kick in the pants and an eye-opener for me. It made me ask myself, “If I can do this what else can I do?” Nine months later I stood on the summit of Mt. Rainier.

At first running was a means to an end for me, my way of staying in shape so that I could pursue climbing mountains. As the years went by, and as I continually hurt myself climbing, running became my primary passion and it also proved to be a way to continue enjoying the mountains (without breaking my neck!) These days nothing  makes me feel so much like a kid again as running on mountain trails. As for all the the rain and mud we get around here—it’s supposed to be really good for your skin.

Because I believe so much in the transformative power of running, I formed a girls night running group in Olympia and an evening trail-running group in Portland, Oregon. Now I am one of the founders and leaders of the Dirty Girls, Route 16's all womens trail running group. We even have a blog: www.dirtygirlsdiary.blogspot.com

Nothing gives me more satisfaction than turning a non-runner into a runner and seeing the joy this great sport invariably brings to individuals and communities. As a small side-note, GIRL WONDER, my novel for teenagers is due out May 2011 by Disney-Hyperion. For more details check out my website at www.alexamartin.com

Joe Churchill

Don't be fooled by Joe's humble-as-pie and pious manners. As runners go, they don't come more talented or driven than this guy. Just ask him about his high school running history sometime. Speaking of history... Joe is a soon-to-be graduated history major at the University of Washington at Tacoma, which means you'll frequently see him reading big fat books with really small sprint. In addition to reading Joe is passionate about movies, music, and his Episcopal religion. Joe's next race will be the Orcas Island 25k, which he plans to run just for fun (though Joe's "just for fun" is pretty darn fast!) We feel very fortunate to have Joe at Route 16. He's a whip-smart guy with a great sense of humor, and he knows tons about shoes and running and important historical people.    

Kristi Houk

Staying active has always been a passion of mine. Ever since middle school running was a great outlet for me to work hard and achieve goals. I did not start out as a great runner unfortunately, but after miles of dedication I found myself continuing to improve. Though never reaching it to state in either cross country or track in high school, I managed to make it make it to NCAA Division III cross country nationals three times and became an All-American in indoor and outdoor track in college. My success as a runner is largely due to the wonderful people who have and continue to support me in this lifestyle of mine. Without them, I would not be the athlete or the well-rounded individual I am today. These days, I run for Club Northwest in Seattle and train with the top athletes that the west side of the state can offer. I love surrounding myself with those who share the same passion in running and life in general. Whether with my teammates in Seattle, at a local race with my family and friends, or with Kris and Miguel at Route 16; I very feel blessed to have such amazing company in my life.

Jeff Bauknecht - timing master

Come by Saturday's and talk with an expert!  He's the tall one ......

Jeff has been running intentionally for almost forty years, and has worked with running shoes and runners for the last thirty years. He got his start back in the early eighties working with shoes at Eastbay Sports, one of the original "specialty" stores. Jeff holds a Masters degree in PE with an emphasis in biomechanics. He has coached track and cross-country, co-authored a college lab manual on the study of biomechanics, has been involved with shoe research and design, and writes columns for running magazines such as NORTHWEST RUNNER. In addition to all of this (Jeff is a busy man!) he brings more than twelve years of race management experience with him, having worked on every type of event from small 5Ks to triathlons, mountain bike races, and marathon relays. In Jeff's words, "One of the most fun events I've ever worked with was a marathon relay in Austin, Texas. I ran in it the first year it was held and had so much fun that I got myself hired as the event consultant the next year. Over 320 six person teams and 18 straight miles of cones is the craziest thing I've ever done with a race." Jeff's favorite thing is to watch people run and walk. "Whether working with a young runner, a future Olympian, or an adult first-timer that never thought they would walk or run, being able to put a person in the right pair of shoes and offer training advice to maximize their goals and help them remain injury free is my passion!"

A special thank you to his wife Dawn for being the coolest bookkeeper an business owner can have..

Kristen Barret

Route 16 welcomes our newest member to our staff.  Kristen  brings to our team an vast knowledge of running and triathlons.  Recently in 2010 she competed and finished her first Half Ironman at Lake Steven and did great...

Tony Seabolt!!!

Tony is second (left to right) bottom row with hat and Route 16 Red..Next to Tony P from marathon maniacs..  the group is at Boston Marathon 2011

Founder Narrow Bridge Running Club : Anthony Seabolt
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA
"I wanna be running when the sand runs out"
Years running: SIX
Favorite place to run: Gig Harbor trails or waterfront.

I'm an "average Joe" who just happened to fall in love with running a few years ago, although I've always been involved with sports, fitness and coaching. I consider myself a "mid-packer" without past running experience of high school or college who is seeing the benefits of "smarter training". I've come to love the local running community and have made some amazing friends, met some incredible people and amazing runners along the way.

Coaching and fitness rehabilitation since college. Custom programs and follow-up available (and eager to do it).

Accomplishments:
Just began running a few years ago, but have seen
improvement through slow buildup of milage, specific speedwork,
and basic enjoyment of RUNNING. Plus amazing helpful tips 
from the experts at Route 16, Miguel and Jeff B. I may be getting older, but I'm still getting faster in this "new" sport of mine.
• Sound to Narrows 12k: 2005- 55 mins / 2009- 46:29
• NW Trek 8k: 2005- 33 mins / 2010- 29:30
• Half Marathon: 2006- 1:29:50 / 2010- 1:21:07
Multiple times 1:30 pacer for local Half Marathons
Winner of Tacoma City Half Marathon 2009 (lucky I'll admit)
• 5k: 2005- 20:00 / 2010 - 17:30
• Member of 2010 Masters Overall team winner of Hood to Coast
• First and only 'hard' marathon: 2008 Tacoma City 3:03-1st Mstr.
3:20 pacer for RnR Marathon and Big Sur Marathon
BOSTON 2011 - that's what's UP !!

Can you say Running Guru!!   See http://www.narrowsbridgerunningclub.com/   for all the info on Tony...

                                     Come by and let us help you!

            6745 Kimball Dr # E & F GIG HARBOR WA 98335  ¤  253·851·2226