Meet the 2025 Blackbeard’s Revenge 100 Ambassadors!
These Ultra Pirates hail from across the U.S., bringing a wide array of experiences in running and rucking. This year, they’re taking on every challenge Blackbeard’s Revenge 100 has to offer—the 100 Mile, 100K, and 100 Mile Relay. Some are seasoned veterans of our race, while others are setting sail for their first adventure on the Outer Banks.
In this blog, they’ve shared fun facts about themselves, along with the inspirations and motivations that fuel their journey. We hope their stories ignite a spark in ye and get ye laced up and out the door.
Join us March 22-23, 2025, for Blackbeard’s Revenge 100—where legends are made!
Train and race with our Ambassadors with our Spotify playlist!
Danny C. (Greeneville, NC), 100 Mile Relay
Look, running sucks. Doesn’t everyone hate running?
Once upon a time, I ran. Cross Country (XC) in high school, but that was sooo long ago it doesn’t count any longer. My right knee during my senior year in XC said to stop. The doctor recommended swimming or cycling. Chased walls in a swimming pool for training on occasion. Bought a Bianchi road bike and started pedaling miles vs running them. I raced in a few criteriums, but then also got invited by a friend to play in a game of beach volleyball. It was so much fun and we did surprising well together. So, given the options between racing other dudes in spandex shorts on bicycles or playing beach volleyball with bikini babes watching you (and me, them); I ask you which would you choose? I did the same and played beach volleyball tournaments the rest of the summer long and more more thereafter. It was simply the best time.
Alas, adulthood took over before even recognizing it’s hooks in me. Fast forward decades later. No running, no biking, and long since having played in a beach volleyball tournament, I got old, slower, a dad bod, and too many bad habits to list.
Connected with another dad on my son’s little league baseball team and he invited me out to a F3 workout. Got a nickname. Kept going out early in the morning and working out with them. Discovered rucking amongst some of the F3 guys and liked what it offered. Many more benefits than just walking and without the force multiplier effect on my knees like running. A win-win. Many miles have been gained since discovering rucking. I have rucked the Blue Ridge Relay (208-miles w/tremendous elevation) going on 4-years this September. Numerous pub runs and 5Ks. Done Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock and even rucked the VA creeper Trail (my 1st 50K). If there is a running event, it seems my response is, “I’d Ruck That.” So far, most events are tolerant of that option and why not, a mile slow or fast is still a mile.
I crossed paths again with beach volleyball just a few years ago. I now coach juniors via Carolina East Beach Volleyball club which also allows me the opportunity to coach two local High School teams which are literally cross town rivals with one another. The HS teams are a part of a state wide club league in NC (nchsbeach.org) to which I am also the Eastern Divisions club rep/division coordinator with 1 season under my belt in that capacity.
I don’t know if rucking keeps me in shape to play beach volleyball these days or if beach volleyball keeps me in shape to continue rucking. I don’t question it really. Both are good to my soul, so I just keep doing both as much as I can manage time for.
Matt C. (Dandridge, TN), 100 Mile Relay
FB: matt.cohen.712
I traveled a lot in a motorhome as a kid and have been to 46 states.
I live outside Knoxville, TN and it only takes me about 30 min to get to the Smoky Mountains and lose myself in the forest.
I’m married to an awesome Dentist who keeps mine and our three kids’ teeth in perfect working order. (And who reminds us multiple times a day to brush and floss.)
I’m chasing all 6 of the World Marathon Majors, and I’m half way there, completing Chicago, New York, and Berlin.
I’ve individually run four ultra marathons, with my longest being a 50 miler deep in the woods near Chattanooga, TN.
This will be my Blackbeard’s Revenge’s Relay Team’s sixth year running, including 2020 when we did it virtually!
Aaron D. (Chesapeake, VA), 100 Mile
IG: @asdebord, FB: aaron.debord.507
I grew up in Texas, and have lived a few different places but currently reside in Chesapeake, Virginia.
I have been an athlete all my life and was a college cheerleader. I met my wife cheerleading and we have been married for 15 years. I have a BS in Health Promotion from Liberty, but I work for the Navy as a civilian in the field of law enforcement. I have been distance running now for 11 years and have run a few 100 milers. I signed up for Blackbeard in 2020 and ended up running it virtually in Virginia Beach.
I have run most of my life as an athlete in various sports, but took up distance running after a few small injuries and trying to prevent unnecessary weight gain. The ultra-running community is strong in the Hampton Roads area, and offered a lot of support when I first started. I “drank the koolaid” and have been riding the high ever since. I felt like I was content to have completed seven 100 milers, but now I’m itching for at least one more. Blackbeard fits the bill for my type of 100. As long as I complete Blackbeard, I will have knocked out a 100 miler in 5 Atlantic coast states (Virginia to Florida).
Sean D. (Corolla, NC), 100K
FB: @sean.defeo.7
I participated 2024 Blackbeard’s Revenge in memory of my father who passed in September 2023. He was an avid runner (I am not) and ran 6 marathons. I am a backpacker. I have traveled to over 50 countries and all 7 continents. I also have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and plan to complete the “Triple-Crown” this summer by hiking the Continental Divide Trail. This race starts in my hometown and most of my immediate family lives on the OBX, so this race is special to us.
Kimberly D. (Goldsboro, NC), 100 Mile
I’ve been racing since 1997, and ultras since 2012, including over 70 ultras, about two dozen that were 100 miles or longer and 10 that were 300 miles or longer! I’m known as Feral on the road. I’ve finished the Blackbeard’s Revenge 100 twice and the 100k once.
Blackbeard’s Revenge 100 is one of my favorite races. I love the Rodanthe/Pea Island section, especially where the sandbar is narrowest because I can hear the water all around me. Open road ultra running on courses that travel from town to town feel like an adventure more than a race, and that appeals to me.
Luke K. (Stormville, NY), 100 Mile
IG: @not_so_simple_luke, FB: luke.korinek
I used hitchhiking as my main source of transportation through my high school and college years.
I joined military academy at 14 years old.
Never lost a game of Monopoly!
Won a burrito & margarita eating contest in Las Vegas.
Won a 24h trail running race after only a year of enjoying running!
Would love to complete all 6 World Marathon Majors.
Won a Great Donut Challenge, 12 miles & 12 donuts, in which you eat a donut before each mile, organized by Fleet Feet.
Sarrah L. (Summerfield, NC), 100 Mile Relay
IG: @gypsies.at.heart, FB: sarrah.lombardo
I traveled with my family (husband & 2 kids) for 4 years in our RV throughout the US and parts of Canada and Mexico. We came off the road in 2021, but we still travel part time.
My family and I spend most of our family vacations in the Outer Banks, and for the last few years we spend the month of September in the Frisco/Hatteras area, soaking up the sunshine, fishing, and paddling in the sound.
I started running to help with my postpartum depression after having my second child. It became a daily routine, and then I ran my first race and received my first medal. The thought of running a race on HWY 12 through OBX has been a dream since I first started running 11 years ago. I’m so excited to run the 100 mile relay with my friends.
Grace M. (Philadelphia, PA), 100K
IG: @lifeofgracee_
I am one of four daughters and number three in age order. I am a proud fur mom of two cats and one pitbull/boxer. In addition to being a full time teacher, my fiancé and I have run our own online health and wellness business together, Grit and Gratitude Co. As a child I ran CYO cross country and track as well as local 5ks and neighborhood runs. Running only recently became a big part of my life again when my fiancé took it up as a hobby first. He participated in the 2024 Blackbeard’s Revenge race which is the reason I am getting involved this year!
Fun Facts!
I became an ultramarathoner in October 2023 after completing my first 12 hour endurance race and hitting 44 miles.
My family & I have been vacationing in the Outer Banks (almost) annually for the past 10 years. It’s such a special place to us and now I get to run the furthest I’ve ever ran on the same island!
My secret weapon running songs are both Disney movie hits – “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan and “Son of Man” from Tarzan 🙂
Dana M. (Shelby Twp., MI), 100K
IG: @dmariebarrels, FB: dmarie.barrels
I am a thyroid cancer survivor.
24 Hour Mountainbike Races used to be my jam.
My Boston terrier, Baxter, is the ultimate recovery partner after a long run. He is best know as my husband and my “House Hippo.”
Favorite Movies – Jurassic Park and Christmas Vacation
Most memorable run – Avalon 50k on Catalina Island. It was the furthest I’ve ever traveled for a race and the entire experience was amazing.
Weirdest Food Things – Love applesauce on my spaghetti, hate hot cheese unless it’s on pizza, Swedish Fish are considered emergency fish (just the right size for your pocket when running or cycling).
Sue R. (Virginia Beach, VA), 100 Mile Relay
IG: @doglovingtriathlete
Well, I guess “Dog Loving Triathlete” really sums me up! I live in Virginia Beach and I have been a cardiac nurse for over 37 years! My favorite things to do on my day off are to see the sunrise on the beach, train for a couple hours, and spend time with my dogs.
“It’s not the medals from the finish that I appreciate the most. It is the scars from the struggle…Our deepest wounds provide the greatest growth.”