Listed below are members of the team. To donate for a specific runner, please enter the name of your runner on the "Add Special Instructions for the Recipient" link. Team members bios coming soon!
Meredith Jones ~ Team Captain
I live in St. Petersburg. I have been running competitively for about 5 years and really enjoy spending time running locally with friends on the great downtown St. Pete water front. Participating in Rotary Rocks the Half allows me to combine two of my favorite things, running and giving back to others, to make dreams come true for three local children undergoing challenging illnesses. Running 13.1 miles is nothing compared to what these children are having to go through! I am so excited for this race and hope that we can raise the money to grant the wishes of Lily, Blake and Jeremy.
Adam Hopkins
I started running in summer 2007 with a class at the University of Oregon to lose a few pounds; I was hooked when I finished a 5 mile run about eight weeks into the course. I was the only one who did it and I never thought I would finish. Since then, I have competed in an event at every recognized distance from 5k to 26.2. This is my first race in St. Petersburg (Tough Mudder not included) and my first race since recovering from a skiing accident and the Eugene Marathon in 2010. I'm running to get myself back to early 2010 form, because I love to compete and to raise money for our noble cause.
Alex Maxwell
I’ve always been active, I got it from my parents. I run races hoping to beat my Mom but the faster I get, the faster she gets. It’s a cruel trick, and I have no idea how she manages it (she just ran a sub 22 minute 5k and barely trains). Chasing her has, however, proven worthwhile since I finally qualified for the coveted Clearwater Turkey Trot 10K top finisher mug and the Autumn Fest 5k glass beer stein - with limitless refills!!! I also survived Tough Mudder, a 12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces. For my recent birthday in January, I was one of eight crazy runners that participated in the Ragnar 200 mile relay run from Miami to Key West. For the past 5 years, I have also done St. Anthony’s Triathlon alongside my Dad and Sister. My hubby is my biggest fan and is always there for support and post-race beer - the best!!! I love the challenge of endurance races and the satisfaction of being a Finisher (even better when I’m a “Top Finisher”). This time around, I’m running with my Mom, Laura Johnson, and fellow Rotarian friends to help make the dreams of Lily, Blake and Jeremy a reality.
Daphne Macfarlan
It all began just a few years ago when Daphne enrolled in a boot camp class at USF. It challenged (tortured!) her physically and mentally...but the most embarrassing part was that she had a real tough time with the starting 1/4 mile run - this was far harder for her than any push-up, squat, or crunch. So, she began to tackle her fears by walking in her neighborhood and then slowly but surely building up her running confidence and endurance. As she got more comfortable she signed up to run with a great group called Tampa Bay Fit learning about running techniques, form and mental strength, and she got stronger and stronger. Long story short, Daphne is not in it for the speed. Running and exercise have just become an important part of her life. She now has more than a dozen 5Ks under her belt, the Disney Wine and Dine Half-marathon and 10K accomplished, and two crazy Ragnar Relay runs - one across the state of Florida and the other from Miami to Key West that she completed with some amazing friends. Daphne still runs because it is a challenge - both mentally and physically... Daphne runs because she continues to learn a lot about herself every time she laces up her shoes, and Daphne runs because she has met the most wonderful people that share her passion for health and life.
Hunter Zager
This whole running thing is all Daphne's fault. I was a perfectly content ex-runner until Daphne decided to take up the sport and seemed to enjoy it so darn much. I thought, "maybe I just forgot how much I liked running and should try it again". So I did. And although I did not discover a long lost love of running, I did enjoy running with friends and liked having race goals to work towards. I ran my first 10K and half marathon in 2010 and really enjoyed the camaraderie within the world of runners. During 2011, I ran the Ragnar Relay from Miami to Key West (also Daphne's fault) and had a blast. I am excited to be running the Rock and Roll Half Marathon with a great group of Rotarians, runners, and Rotarian runners. Making dreams come true for these three children is a great cause!
Jose Morales
I am the CEO of J2 Engineering INC with 25 years of experience in Civil Engineering/Construction. I have a BS in Engineering, an MS in Business Administration, and I’m hoping to have my JD by 2015. I’ve run 3 half-marathons and I’m running for all the children who can’t right now.
Josh Wallace
Since as long as I can remember, I have been interested in sports. I watch almost all of the Rays’ games every year, and with 162 games a year, that is dedication! And if you want to talk about dedication, I am so committed to sports and exercise that I once went all the way to Boston just to watch the Boston Marathon! Okay, my brother was running in it and did really well, but I know that my unbridled enthusiasm for the less than 5 seconds that he ran past me is what motivated him the entire time. Well, recently, my wife and our friends decided to run this half marathon with the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg Sunset and I thought that enough was enough! They have shown so much dedication and excitement toward this run and their cause that I had to get involved. They are working so hard to make a difference that I had no choice but to get off the sideline and get in this race. This race is going to be the farthest distance I have ever travelled without mechanical assistance, so I am very much looking forward to the finish line. I am thrilled that I have a role to play on this team, after all, every ship needs an anchor. Happy running and I’ll see you in the medical tent.
Kelly Weatherby
Currently pretty out of shape, these days I run races for the vibe as much as the fitness. This is my second Rock-n-Roll Half, my first having been in San Antonio in 2010. I will be in the super slow corral for this race and am looking forward spending time with my team and raising money to give some kids with life threatening illnesses their dreams!
Scott Norman
Just do it. Just a few years ago Scott got his first taste of competitive running; once he competed in his first race, he was hooked! Soon after that first race Scott's learning curve took off and he became a ROCK STAR runner. Now he has participated in 3 Ragnar Relays, the Gasparilla Half Marathon and Beachapalooza... just to name a few. He is really looking forward to rocking his way through the RocknRoll Half while helping make dreams come true.
Stephanie Cox
She thought they said rum. That summed up Cox’s first thoughts about going on a run, but over time she has drank enough “kool-aid” and learned to thoroughly enjoy a good running race. Steph first started out running in her younger middle school days, where her claim to fame was being the fastest runner in PE and a distance specialist at the Lakeview Fundamental jogathon. Two kids later, Steph decided to get back to her running roots to avoid having to wear the dreaded size 14 mom jeans. Recently, she completed the Women’s Half Marathon, Iron Girl, Jingle Bell Run and Beachapalooza races without needing CPR at the end. She considers that an accomplishment. She loves kids and considers it an honor to run for our “Children’s Dream Fund” kids who face much bigger challenges than running a half marathon.
Tammy Onorato
As a mother of two vivacious toddlers, Tammy is happy to make it out the door with matching shoes most days. Trying to juggle work, family, and exercise proved difficult once her family began to grow. She soon discovered that running was the most efficient way to stay healthy and fit, while balancing everything else that life threw at her. With a handful of 5Ks, the Gasparilla Marathon Relay, and most recently the Iron Crusader Mud Race and the St. Pete Beach Classic 10K under her belt, Tammy was ready for a new challenge. When Tammy was a young teenager, her father made a revelation regarding her character: “The best way to get Tammy to do something is to tell her that she CAN’T.” So she is running the Half Marathon to prove to herself (and others) that she CAN. What better challenge than running a fun-filled race with friends in support of a good cause!
Victor Cernius
I am a 28 year old Construction Project Manager originally from Chicago, Illinois. I am a former Div. 1A collegiate athlete and played offensive line for Florida International University’s football team. I have zero prior experience in any pure running event; however I did participate in the Iron Crusader in Ft. Meade where the total distance was 3.1 miles. I’m running without training at all for this event to assess my current athletic limits per my normal everyday routine. I’d like to see if I am in good enough shape normally to run this 13 mile event. We will see!
Adriane Evert
Amee Joshi
Angela Horowitz
Avi Elias
Bonnie Young
Christy Menna
Cindy Stokes
Danielle Kucera
Desire Mosser
Dianna Slutzker
Emily Barber
Franklin Grinstead
Joana Urie
Jonathan Bojar
Laura Johnson
Laura Ramones
Leslie Dentinger
Mandi Hill
Matt Williams
Melissa Toccalino
Natalie Alaburda
Patricia Tellez
Sara Williams
Stacy Barnett
Tracy McQuaid
Val Laconto