After realizing that Elena’s success in volleyball and softball depended completely on her ability to run, Elena’s parents signed her up for track in high school and told her to “just try it.” She attempted to be a sprinter and then a mid-distance runner throughout high school but moved to the 3200 in senior year after an Achilles injury forced her into longer distances. She had an uneventful collegiate career running for the University of Minnesota and fell back in love with competitive running after discovering road racing. With GRC Elena hopes to better her PRs and continue to find joy in running. During the day, she works as an postbac IRTA in an epilepsy research lab at the National Institutes of Health.
Personal Bests:
3K (track): 9:28.53
5K (track): 15:44.00
10K: 32:31.41
10 mile: 53:54
Half marathon: 1:11:33
Marathon: 2:30:51