We’re excited to introduce the 2017 Asics Pace Team for this year’s Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon! Two pacers will run with each of the following pace groups – 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, and (new this year) 2:30.
1:45 Pace Group Leaders
Mike Hsiao
Mike is a recent engineering graduate, avid volunteer and a marathon runner who was diagnosed with the Fatty Liver Disease as a child. In 2012, while he was in second year university, he collapsed and was sent to the ER due to a combination of many health conditions, including being borderline obese. Since then, Mike decided to make a change to become healthier. He picked up running and an active lifestyle (and lost 1/4 of his weight in the progress). He has kept going since, and have ran over 60 races varying from a 5km to full marathons. Mike has made a goal to do 100 races before he is 25 to raise awareness for many health causes. Mike is the founder and CEO of Race Force, which is a nonprofit organization that have helped organized or assisted more than 150 sporting events (such as Scotiahalf) since inception. Mike is excited to be an Asics pacer for the 2017 Scotiahalf for 1:45 and invite you to connect with him!
Kevin Schwab
Following his Half Marathon debut in Munich in 2010, Kevin has been running 10Ks and Half Marathons throughout Canada over the past few years. His two running highlights to-date include winning the M<25 age group at Scotia last year, as well as completing his first Full Marathon in Portland in October. Battling with injuries for most of the last half year, Kevin is excited to assist other runners in achieving their goals at Scotia this summer. Oh and getting to wear bunny ears – that’s pretty big, too.
2:00 Pace Group Leaders
Greg Faber
I started running in 2012 to shed some pounds and reclaim my health. It started with casual walks just to get my body adjusted to movement. As I saw other people running through the park, it motivated me to do more. I picked up my pace and before I knew it I was running my first 5km race. Today, I am proud to say that I have completed many races ranging from 5k’s to ultra marathons and what started out as simple exercise has turned into a lifestyle.
I have since not only lost all the excess weight I carried around, but have gained a whole new community of friends and likeminded individuals that have all caught the running bug. Moving forward, I want to inspire and motivate others to reach their own running goals. I found that pacing for the Scotiabank Half-Marathon is one way to give back to the sport I love!
Elisha Allen
Elisha is a Vancouver local with a life-long love of running. Over the past few years she’s completed a variety of long distance races including a 23 km trail race up Whistler Mountain and the 2017 Boston Marathon. She’s extremely passionate about helping others explore and enjoy running and can’t wait to help you reach your half-marathon goals! If you want to check out her latest running adventures you can Elisha on Instagram @theruntoboston.
2:15 Pace Group Leaders
Andy Arevalo
Andy Arevalo is a runner that has started his running since 2015.
In late 2015, he came across a local Chinese running group called LaPower. He joined the group and has made many good friends that share the same passion in running and life style.
He has run many race such as The Sun Run, BMO half marathon, Scotiabank half marathon, and the Rock “N” Rock Half marathon in which he had made his PB in the race.
Having this opportunity to run as a pacer for the Scotiabank half marathon 2017 is his honour. This is going to be a very exciting and memorable experience for Andy, and he is going to achieve your goal with you.
Courtney L.
I started running in 2010 and got hooked. It started with one half marathon just to see if I could do it and has led to many more half marathons, marathons, 5k and 10ks all over North America. I love to run and I love to get other people excited about running. And I enjoy helping people reach their running goals. I have lead running clinics and paced numerous 10ks, half marathons and marathons. It is a great feeling to help someone reach their goal – to be a small part of their success is awesome. I am looking forward to running with the group to make the 2:15 half marathon time!
2:30 Pace Group Leaders
Sharon Sandhu
Hi name is Sharon and I moved from England to Vancouver in 2012. I first started running in 2011, my friend who was a run coach convinced me to try something new and I signed up for my first half marathon in Basingstoke UK (with hills). Running has always been a great way to meet people and I am super excited to be a pacer at the Scotiabank Half Marathon, this will be my third year running the course and I’m looking forward to being a source of motivation for the awesome runners on the day!
Lisa Brown
My name is Lisa Brown and I am the pacer for the 2:30 group. The party corral!
My first race was the Scotiabank half marathon in 2013. I was hooked. Since then I have run 7 half marathons, 3 full marathons, numerous 10 and 5k races. For the last year I have been volunteering with learn to run and 5k clinics.
Run with the Asics Pace Team this June – sign up today!
