Alvin Gunkel - RRCA Certified Running Coach
Alvin was a recreational runner prior to joining the program in 2007. Since then he has completed seven marathons, one 50k trail ultra, and three 200-mile relays. Alvin has integrated running into his lifestyle, becoming more health and fitness oriented. Alvin is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Running Coach, a Big Brother, and serves on the board of the Marathon Charity Cooperation.
Chirag Mehta
Chirag has run seven marathons, including five marathons and two Ironman triathlons (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run in one day).
Growing up, he did not participate in competitive athletics, and during college had a 34" waist and around 25% body fat. He decided to make lifestyle changes, and subsequently found his passions in running, cycling, and hiking. His first marathon was a 3:43 at the 2000 Houston marathon, and his personal best time is 2:40 at the 2006 Chicago marathon, in 34 degree weather and 20 mph winds. He ran the 2005 Boston marathon in 2:43, and ran the marathon leg of the 2005 Quelle Challenge Ironman triathlon in 3:09 in Roth, Germany - fast enough on its own to qualify for Boston!
Nick (Nicholas Panebianco) - RRCA Certified Running Coach
Nick is a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Running Coach and chairman of the "Big Brother Big Sisters (BBBS) Run for Kids Marathon Challenge". He has been a Prince George's county Big Brother since 1993 and has been training BBBS runners to run the Marine Corps Marathon since 1997. Nick is a staunch supporter of children's charities and marathon running.
Nick has completed fourty marathons which include eight ultra-marathons. His marathon PR (3:16) allowed him to qualify and run the 2003 Boston Marathon. He has run the JFK 50 twice and he has finished five birthday ultras (running his age in miles) at age 40, 43, 44, 45, and 46. Nick is a director and the President of Marathon Charity Cooperation.
Mona Sehgal
Mona took up running about eight years ago and has completed six marathons and several 10-milers including the Army Ten Miler and the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler. Mona has completed six marathons in less than 4 hours each, including achieving her personal record of 3:34 at the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon. In addition to running, Mona also enjoys swimming and yoga.
Mona plans to get certified as a coach by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) in 2010 and hopes to help beginner and experienced runners achieve their goal of completing a half-marathon or marathon.
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Jay Jacob Wind - RRCA and USATF Level 1 Certfied Running Coach
Jay Jacob Wind has been coaching since 1987. He is a USATF Level 1-certified coach and an RRCA-certified running coach.
He has finished 127, with a lifetime best of 2:27:25 at Boston 1980 and a recent best of 3:11:54 at San Francisco 2009 at age 59, good for second place in his age group.
He has directed hundreds of local races, including four each year for Marathon Charity Cooperation. He serves on MCC's Board of Directors as secretary.
Jay was inducted into Arlington Sports Hall of Fame at its 2008 annual banquet. To read more about this honor, go to Jay's Hall of Fame Induction page.
