About Us
About Us
A bond that unites all ages and paces together. Runners set out to achieve their own personal goals.
We want runners of all types! No matter if you are a beginner, weekend warrior, road runner, trail runner, or a Boston Marathoner...we would love to have you!
Come join the fun and earn some miles.
About Us
President - Joe Cook
Joe Cook, owner of Abilene Running/Angelo Running Co and Jostens of Abilene. Joe is married to Sara and has a young daughter, Claire. He began running in 2005, training and finishing the OKC Memorial Half Marathon in just under 2 hours. He has since run many other half marathons, 10ks, 5ks, and 2 Full Marathons. Joe has been a familiar face around the big country for a majority of the races as the race director and timer. He absolutely loves the running community, how they are always there to support other runners, and how hard they are willing to work to accomplish their goals. When Joe is not running, you may also see him around playing french horn, trumpet, or other instruments with the Abilene Community Band.
Vice President - Erica Garner
Erica started running in 2022 when her mom signed her up for her first half marathon! Since then, she’s fallen in love with endurance running — completing several halfs, a full, and even a couple of 50Ks her first year in the sport. She’s developed a passion for Ultra distances, recently running her first 50-mile and 100K races. She’s now training for a 100-miler, with hopes of one day attempting dream races such as the Leadville 100, Badwater 135, and Moab 240. Erica is also an avid hiker and has visited trails in more than 90 locations across the US. If you catch Erica on a run, you’ll likely meet her best friend Mika - a cattle dog/Aussie shepherd who runs more than 40 miles a week!
Secretary - Laura Thomas
Laura has been running for over 15 years and has competed competitively in 6 marathons as well as countless half marathons, 5Ks, 10Ks, etc. She has several races planned for the year, including the Cowtown Marathon in February 2022 and the Chicago Marathon in October 2022. Her ultimate running goal is to qualify and run the Boston Marathon. Laura is also a UESCA certified running coach who currently trains and consults multiple clients ranging from beginner to elite. She also coaches a Jr. Roadrunner’s group that meets twice a week.
Treasurer - Jennifer Elliott McKinney
Jennifer is an accountant by profession and owns a local accounting firm. Jennifer began running in the Army. After having her son she enjoyed family fun runs and 5ks. Jennifer loves the trails and is currently completely the Texas ultra eco series and captn Karl’s night series with her son. A dream of Jennifer’s is to do the original marathon in Greece.
Media Coordinator - Chelsea Weaver
Chelsea is a native to the Big Country and is the life skills teacher at Jim Ned Intermediate. She found her love of running in junior high and continued to run Cross A Country through high school. She started running again in August of 2022 as a way to help her mental health and found the Abilene Runners Club where she found a group of people that not only helped with running goals, but became some of her best friends. Her first half marathon was BMW in Dallas in December 2022 and has since completed other halves, plus an Ultra at Possum’s Revenge. She looks forward to many more miles and races with some of her favorite people. When she’s not running or working, she’s riding horses or traveling.
Membership Coordinator - JB Batiste
I have been a runner since 2008. I ran my first 5k At Abilene Turkey Trot 2008. First Half-Marathon June 2010 San Antonio, and First Full-Marathon February 2012 Cowtown. I qualified for the Boston Marathon in December 2015 and ran the race in April 2017. I have ran 10 Full-Marathons, and 124 Half- Marathons. I enjoy running several races every year.
Race Coordinator - Julie Harrison
Julie first started running in 2000 by competing in the Cowtown 5K and has loved running ever since. She has completed numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, and various other distances. Her greatest accomplishments are finally completing 4 half-marathons, with the first being at Cowtown in 2021. She hopes to complete many more half marathons, while trying to PR each time she competes. Her ultimate goal is to eventually compete in a full Marathon. She is currently trying to become a teacher while also getting her Master’s in Teacher Leadership with a concentration in Gifted and Talented Education. When Julie is not running she is usually reading with a goal of having a 1000 book library.
Technology Coordinator - Mark Kiser
Mark has been running since 2016. After running several road half marathons he transitioned to trail racing and completed his first ultra-marathon in 2019. He ran the Leadville trail marathon in 2021 and completed his first road marathon during the Disney Dopey challenge in 2023. Mark’s goals include running more road marathons as well as a 50 mile trail race.
Member at Large - Zane Womack
Zane is new to the Big country and a newer runner but dove in head first in 2023 in his first year as a runner. Zane ran three 10ks all resulting in podium finishes with two first places finishes, a half marathon at Cowtown and a hand full of Spartan races. Zane plans to complete his first full marathon at BMW this year. He is married to Katie who is also at many events along the way to support the club.