Meet the Team
We’re thrilled to be part of this community and to bring fresh, high-quality events to the local trail scene
Jay Vanderhovel
RACE ORGANIZER
Jay is a passionate trail runner who discovered the sport in 2020 and never looked back. Since then, he’s tackled some of the toughest ultramarathons out there — including the Cocodona 250, Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200, Moab 240, and most recently the Arizona Monster 300. As your race organizer, Jay brings that same grit and determination to planning every detail of Blackwood Racing’s events, ensuring runners experience the challenge and reward of the trails at their best.
Russell Stratton
COURSE MANAGER
Russell perceives his running career as a journey, with ultra running taking center stage after an extensive background in various racing events. He highlights the significance of creating a sense of community during each encounter, while also encouraging runners to push their individual limits.
Bridget Janis
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Bridget needs to send me a blurb!
Evan Schneider
BRAND MANAGER
Evan is a passionate trail runner and endurance athlete who’s built a love for the sport through pushing past limits and embracing the challenge of the trails. After completing multiple 50Ks and a 50 mile ultramarathon, he’s now training to finish his first 100-miler. Beyond racing, Evan is passionate about helping expand the footprint and brand of Blackwood Trail Racing, creating authentic events and experiences that bring the trail running community together.
Adam Hughes
PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA RELATIONS
Adam is a liflong outdoors kid who somehow turned asking runners about their feelings into a full-blown passion project. He runs, phoptographs, and podcasts - chasing the stores that make this sport more than just mile splits and finish lines. A firm believer that you don’t need to pin on the bib to belong, he’s constantly recruiting others to join the sport however they can: cheer squad, camera crew, trail angel or pierogi chef. West coast by origin, Michigan by choice - often MIA somewhere in the mountains. Check out his podcast on Spotify: PreRace Podcast
Ian Harrier
BLACKWOOD RACE PLANNING
Ian may not run the really far distances himself, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming deeply embedded in the ultrarunning world. He’s crew cheif’d at Cocodona 250, Moab 240 , Tahoe 200, Arizona Monster 300 and the Western States 100. Ian has seen firsthand what it takes to survive some of the toughest races in the country. Now officially joining the ultrarunning ranks himself after completing his first 50K, Ian serves as Blackwood’s Crew Chief — helping keep runners, volunteers, and race operations moving when things inevitably get weird in the middle of the night.
Kristy Beckholt
BADLANDS MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Kristy has been a runner most of her life and just recently got into the ultra world. She has ran multiple marathons including Boston and paced several as well. She ran the Thumb Coast Ultra and the WP 50 in 2025. She's pumped to help others cross the finish line and get to know more awesome people in the ultra community!