Triple Crown Committee

Jeff Allen

Darlene Beach

30 years ago I was invited to join a Corporate Challenge Relay Team in Ithaca, New York. I had serious doubts about whether or not I could run a mile and properly pass a baton, but I decided to try. After running a mile on the treadmill at the YMCA in Ithaca, curiosity motivated me to run 3.1 miles and sign up for the 5K at the Corporate Challenge. The 5k was soon passed by a 5 mile run, a half marathon and my first of many marathons. I loved training for marathons. I found that running longer distances was fruitful, it provided me with quality time with God and an opportunity to ponder what mattered in my life. I was also blessed with the support of my husband and the Fingerlakes Running Club.

After moving to Maine, my running came to an abrupt halt for several years. Then fellow runners appeared in my life and I began reaping the benefits of running buddies, the Maine Track Club, Moving Maine Forward and the Greater Poland Running Group. After retiring in 2017, I knew that I wanted to give back to the running community and other organizations, Sheltered by Jesus LA and the Dempsey Center, that are near and dear to my heart. I consider it an honor to be part of the Greater LA Triple Crown 5k Series Committee and look forward to its success in improving the lives of youth in Lewiston and Auburn.

Bill Bouchard

Tammie Bouchard

Scott Brown

This is my third year serving on the committee for the Triple Crown series. As a runner and racer for over 44 years, I am looking forward to contributing to the continued success. I have won both the Bridge Run and Fit Fest 5k, formerly course record holder of the Bridge Run course. In 1999, I began PR Racing, a local running team which I still coach and direct today. I have also directed and assisted in management of a number of road races. In 2008, I was inducted into the Maine Running Hall of Fame.

Erin Dunbar

I joined the Triple Crown committee in 2014. My first road race was the 2008 YMCA Fit Fest. I have been hooked on running ever since! I am currently a stay at home mom to two beautiful little girls. I love being part of the Triple Crown committee because it benefits three wonderful organizations. My current role on the committee is sponsorships and race amenities.

Ben Fletcher

Alan Groudle

I initially joined the team to help with marketing and graphics for the Triple Crown. Having run the Triple Crown numerous years and getting so much out of them, I was looking for a way to give back. My first year, the 10 year anniversary, I was able to put my skills to work with creating a logo along with other print materials. In my free time I like to paint, hike/run with my dog, do graphic design, record my podcast “Tales From The Long Run” and listen to music. Oh, and I like to run. I am a part of the PR Racing team that fellow committee member Scott Brown runs.

Amy and David Hediger

Amy and David Hediger are in their third year on the committee. Active runners and volunteers of local races, Amy and David both first ran the Bridge Run in 1999 and have taken part ever since. Amy is the interim assistant superintendent in RSU 16, and David works in Planning and Code Enforcement for the City of Lewiston. Both enjoy the sense of community and comradery at the Triple Crown races and look forward to assisting with the continuation of a great series of races.

Marcie Hird

I have been the YMCA Fit Fest Race Director for 5 years, as volunteer and participant for over 10. I hold the position of Fitness and Membership Director at the YMCA of Auburn – Lewiston, so my passion for Healthy Living, Social Responsibility and Youth Development within our community runs deep. I enjoy working with a dedicated group of individuals that share the same mission.

Grant Jewett

I joined the Triple Crown committee in 2018. My first road race was in 2009 in Portland. When I learned about the Triple Crown I was excited to find races happening in my own backyard. I have been running in the Triple Crown since 2011, and am thrilled to give back to local running community.

Mike Lecompte

I started the L-A Bridge Run in 1998. I have watched the Lewiston-Auburn running community grow and really enjoy being part of an event that brings together people of all abilities and encourages healthy living. In 2007 the Triple Crown was formed as a way to share the work of organizing a series of running races. It is great to work with a great group of dedicated committee members. I enjoy running, hiking and anything that keeps me in motion. There’s nothing like the magic on race day when runners come together!

Mike McFadden

This is my second year on the committee and my second year running. I started walking in a Run/Walk Club at work and moved up to run/walking. I signed up for the Triple Crown in 2017 to see if I’d like actual races and I did.

My responsibilities on the committee are to help with marketing, maintain the website, and work with our runner database.

Erin McKay

I’m a lifelong runner and started participating in races in 2010. I began running the Triple Crown in 2013, and they remain my favorite races of the season. I started volunteering in 2015 with the Kid’s Run, this is my second year on the committee. I am a mother of four and left my job as an IT Manager when our family opened our retail music business in Auburn in 2013. Being a small business owner, the need to reach out and support the local community became very important to me. The Triple Crown serves three amazing causes, and I enjoy contributing to the success of the series!

Mary Murphy

I have been on the Triple Crown Committee since the beginning. I am the Chief Risk and HR Officer at the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, one of the three organizations that the Triple Crown supports. My role on the committee is registration and finance. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this event and watched it grow into such an amazing community event.

Mona Murphy

I have been a member of the Triple Crown 5K planning committee since 2015. I got hooked on running when my manager invited me to join her running group about 14 years ago and have loved running since day one. I’ve made so many wonderful friends through running. And the Triple Crown races have always been my favorite races. Each one is such a fun, family friendly, community event. Thank you, Marie, for inviting me to the planning committee. I love working with this committee and supporting these worthwhile events.

Jake Norris

Gretchen Slover

Shawn Vincent

I am in my fifth year on the committee and manage the content on the series website. Several years ago, the Triple Crown events got me back into running, and I have enjoyed the impact the races have had on my family, friends and our community. I am the principal at Whittier Middle School in Poland, where we share the Triple Crown’s commitment to healthy children and active families. I am also a proud dad of a family full of runners.

Jeff Wigton