About Us

doug  Doug Bostian — Co-Race Director

I am the owner of Groove City Events which organizes many races in the area including FUNderwear Run, Milan’s Miracle Run, Whoville 5K among others. I have been organizing races for 10 years and has been an active runner for over 33 years.

bev  Bev Chesebro — Co-Race Director

I’m so excited to continue this great event.  Running, Triathlon and trails have been a passion in my life for about 19 years.  The friendships, relationships, and stories are the priceless benefits I enjoy the most as an endurance athlete.

I am a native Michigander, living in the Grand Rapids area since the 80’s.  Some of my favorite hobbies (besides swimming, biking and running) include frequent trips to enjoy northern Michigan.

We will do our best to make this event, one to return to every year, and create a magical northern Michigan experience.

jamie1  Jamie Nye — Race Finish Specialist

I’ve been an active runner since 2003. Done it all. Marathons, halfs, tris, and trail races. Also love volunteering for races. Not only am I on the NCTR race committee, I’m also on the committee for the Lake Michigan Credit Union Bridge Run. Through running, I’ve met so many great people and consider many to be in my running family.
When not in running or some other workout, I tend to be baking or cooking some mean veggie dish. If i hand you a bake good, i suggest you eat it.

leslie  Leslie Bostian — Race Start Specialist

I retired from General Motors in 2007, but since Doug started the business of organizing races, I’ve been busier than ever.   The race community in Grand Rapids is so powerful, we have made so many friends along the way and love what we do.   Although I am not a runner, I love to walk and ride our new cruiser bikes.

I love organization, which I can put to good use with race planning.    I am step mom to two kids, grandma to one, and mom to one dog, and 5 cats.

untitled-3 Jen Byle — Volunteer Specialist

I started ‘seriously’ running in 2011 when I did my first half marathon and full marathon after several years of 5ks.  Since then I have completed 4 full marathons, several half marathons, 3 half Ironman triathlons, and my first full Ironman triathlon in September 2016 at Ironman Wisconsin. Starting in 2013, I have been giving back to the running community that has given me so much by serving on the RunGR Race Committee that manages the RunGR Race Series, which includes the LMCU Bridge Run 10 Mile/5k race.  Since running and triathlons don’t pay the bills (quite the opposite!), my day job is a civil/transportation engineer and am responsible for the design of roads, highways and their related infrastructure. I’m looking forward help make the NCTR one of the best race experiences around!