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

BADLANDS RACE DIRECTOR

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.

Sidney Jonckheere

PARTNERSHIPS

Sidney is an ultrarunner who once despised running until a doctor told her she couldn’t. That moment sparked a complete shift, and years later, she still hasn’t stopped. Drawn to the challenge of long miles and the camaraderie of the trail, she’s the first to say yes to crewing, pacing, or tackling whatever distance lies ahead. For Sidney, running isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life, one built on community, resilience, and a love for pushing beyond limits.

Nick Gapp

COURSE DETAILS & PLANNING

Dude has run across Michigan but is too shy to send a bio

Adam Hughes

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 but that hasn’t stopped him from crewing some of the biggest races in the US from the Cocodona 250 to the Moab 240 to Western States he’s seen it all!

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!