Brian Fitzgerald
Race Director
Brian Fitzgerald has been a potter in Door County for 20 years and owns and operates Ephraim Clayworks. He’s also the co-founder of the Peninsula Pacers, organizers of the Door County Half Marathon, the Peninsula Century Ride, Door County Beer Festival and thePeninsula Century Spring Classic. He handles the course and aid station operations for the Door County MS Challenge Walk in September, and is the bike and course director for the Door County Triathlon.
An avid outdoor enthusiast, Brian loves to ski, run and bike throughout the peninsula with his wife, Tracey, and his two children, Ben and Abbey , and just about anyone he can convince to join him for an “easy” ride or run.
David Eliot
Co-founder
Eliot is constantly searching for new ways to enhance life in Door County for residents and visitors alike.
He founded the Peninsula Pulse newspaper in 1996 and has been an integral part of the Door County community ever since. The publisher of Door County Living magazine and co-founder of the Peninsula Pacers, the organizers of the Door County Half Marathon, Door County Beer Festival, Peninsula Century, and the Door County Pond Hockey Tournament, Eliot served as the Chairman of the Door County Visitor Bureau, serves on the Door Community Auditorium Board, Door County Triathlon, and is the Chairman of the Door County Community Foundation.
Myles Dannhausen
Half Marathon Course Director/Publicity
Myles Dannhausen relishes his role telling the stories of the Door County Half Marathon and the people who run it. Now a Chicago resident, he is a freelance writer and digital media consultant and has writes about running and silent sports for Running Times, Silent Sports, and Chicago Athlete. His work has also appeared in All About Beer, Wisconsin People & Ideas, Gapersblock, and several other publications.
The 3-time marathon finisher and Door County native is a contributing editor for the Peninsula Pulse and Door County living, where he wrote for eight years before moving to Chicago.
Myles will be standing at the finish line on race day, cheering runners through their final steps – and loving every minute of it.
Freddie Bexell
Concourse Director
Freddie Bexell, originally from Osterbymo, Sweden, is the kitchen manager at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant and has called Door County home for 14 years.
He is an avid cyclist and cycling instructor who spends his spare time helping with off-road trail maintenance in the county’s state parks and working on his Fish Creek home.
He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Door County Silent Sports Alliance and helps organize the Peninsula Century Fall Challenge, Peninsula Century Spring Classic, the Door County MS Challenge Walk, and the Door County Triathlon.
Joni Witalison
Volunteer Coordinator
Joni Witalison is a Door County native who resides in Fish Creek with her husband Gary. She is a mother of four (Dalton, Travis, Brady and Allura). She helps coordinate volunteers in Girl Scouting , at the Door Community Auditorium as well as other Pacers events . With 22 years of experience as a hair stylist she has recently opened her own salon, A Cut Above, in Fish Creek.
“It is so rewarding to be involved with this super group of people involved with this event from the first year on, our community really comes together with all the amazing volunteers who give their time , making the runners feel right at home in our community.”
Laura Fitzgerald
Transportation Coordinator
Laura has been calling Door County home since moving from Minnesota in 1989. She is the mother of three girls; Hannah, Rachel, Alicia, a manager at Wilson’s Ice Cream Parlor and a hostess at Sister Bay Bowl.
In her free time Laura enjoys reading, watching movies, biking, running, hiking in Peninsula State Park and working to improve her golf game. In the offseason she also enjoys traveling, searching out a great cup of coffee along the way.
Sverre Falck-Pedersen
Nicolet Bay 5k Course Director
Sverre Falck-Pedersen was the Gibraltar Middle Distance Track and Cross Country Coach from 1986 to 2014. He is a three time National Age Group Middle Distance Master Champion and has been a Race Organizer for the Peninsula Park 5K for 20 years.
Krista Eliot
Pace Team Organizer
The Door County Half Marathon pace team is organized by experienced marathon pacer and Baileys Harbor resident Krista Lawell.
Lawell has paced for both the New Balance and Nike Pace teams for 10 years, which has included pacing the Chicago Marathon each year since 2005. A veteran of 34 marathons (including 11 Bostons), Lawell’s PR is 3:09 and she has paced several different marathon goal times.
Lars Johnson
Co-founder
Lars is co-owner of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. He has completed 15 marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2003, and was integral in the formation of the Door County Half Marathon. He lives in Sister Bay with his wife, Jill, and sons, Bjorn and Thor.
Laura Bradley
Assistant Race Organizer
After spending several summers in Door County, Laura made the decision to call it home in 2009. She lives in Sister Bay with her husband, Bryan, and works as the Marketing and Sales Manager for the Door County Visitor Bureau.
In her free time you can find her hiking at Newport State Park, curling up with a good book and traveling.
“I love being able to welcome the runners each year and am proud to be a part of such a great event.”
Jordan Burress
Assistant Race Organizer
Jordan moved to Door County in 2013 with her husband, Justin, and daughter, Avery.
Before making Door County home, Jordan worked with the City of Monona Parks and Recreation as the Recreation/Aquatics Supervisor, and with the City of Platteville as the Recreation Coordinator. Prior to joining the Peninsula Pacers, she worked for the Door County YMCA as the Youth Development Coordinator.
Jordan also works at Ecology Sports and enjoys her days off at home with her daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and being outdoors. Jordan and her husband are excited to welcome their second child in August!
She is thrilled to be a part of the Pacers and looking forward with the new opportunities to connect with Door County!
