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Meet the Staff

Julie Francis has been running for more than thirty years, first competing as a miler in high school. She ran the 2000 New York City Marathon in 3:32, her best among the twelve marathons she has completed, including three Boston Marathons. Julie was an age-group contender with the Central Park Track Club in New York, and has been an age-group champion in many Shoreline races, including the 2001 Branford Road Race. Julie completed the Amsterdam, Marine Corps, and Palm Beach Marathons in the space of sixty days in the Fall of 2005, and requalified for the 2007 and 2008 Boston Marathon at the 2006 Hartford Marathon despite her condition as an insulin-dependent diabetic. 

Bob Francis was nominated age-group Runner of the Year by the New York Road Runners Club in 2000 and 2001, regularly placing in the top three in his age group at all distances while running for the Central Park Track Club. He has completed thirty-four marathons, including a streak of thirteen consecutive years at Boston, the world’s most famous marathon. He achieved a qualifying time for the 114th running in 2010 at the 113th running. Bob has also completed six ultras, including three fifty-milers. In June 2008, Bob ran the internationally famous, 56-mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa, the capstone event on his running resume. As a 60-year old, Bob finished first in his age group at the 2009 Holiday Lake 50K++. Although, these are some amazing credits, I think the most remarkable thing about Bob is that he supports me and encourages me in every aspect of my life...did you ever have someone who believed in you COMPLETELY..I do!!

Amy Ranton, Preston's wife and Cooper's mom has worked at soundRUNNER since May of 2006. Amy works in the soundRUNNER Branford. Although, Amy is not a runner she really gets it! WILL YOU EVER RUN? “I would like to start again in the Spring (maybe after #2).” WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP ACTIVE? Right now, keep up with Cooper. HOBBIES: I do enjoy hiking and taking long walks with “the boy.” FAVORITE COLOR: Purple. FAVORITE RUNNER: I do not have a favorite elite runner, but I do admire all of the runners we get to meet in the stores.  The people we work with are different shapes, have different stories and different goals.  But what they share in common is that running is part of their lifestyle.  I admire each and every one of these people for what they have accomplished and what they want to accomplish.

Preston Ranton, is my oldest son and the father of COOPER, my first grandchild. Preston has shown a keen interest in every aspect of the business. It is every "mom and pop" business to have your children follow in your footsteps and take an interest in the family business, he has done just that!  Since graduating from U of M, 7 years ago Preston has been a force in the workings of the soundRUNNER business.  He manages several aspects of the business, including the E-bay site and has started running through RUNSTART, our beginning running program. Preston competed in Ragnar New England 2009 and will run Ragnar NE 2010. Additionally, Preston ran his best time at the 2009 Branford Road Race, during the first of my son's life. FAVORITE COLOR: blue. QUOTE: “Running isn’t a sport, it’s a mode of transportation.” 

Gretchen Carlson has worked in the Branford location for 6 years. I started to run 6 years ago and haven't looked back since.  I have run several marathons with my third Boston this spring.  I have been involved with our walk run program for many years and have many success stories to tell.  It is very exciting to have a part in people realizing and achieving their goals.

Kati Ohidy Papoosha has been at Soundrunner since the new location opened in Old Saybrook, November of 2009...She has been a active runner for 13 yrs. What started out as a way to get in shape after the birth of her first child, Kati fell in love with the sport and has been running ever since. As a personal trainer/Spin instructor Kati has motivated many of her clients to start running which has been a great accomplishment in and of itself. One of her best moments in running, was placing 1st in her age group, in the 2008 soundRUNNER Madison Jaycees Turkey Trot.In May, Kati will be participating in the 2010 New England Ragnar Relay. FAVORITE COLOR: pink FAVORITE QUOTE: "where there's a will there's a way."

Steve Swift has worked at soundRUNNER for two and a half years. He mostly works in Madison, but has also pitched in at the Branford and most recently the Old Saybrook locations. When it comes to running Steve is very humble. When asked what are your running accomplishments…”I've had some good races, some nice placements, some respectable times, but mostly I keep doing it because one day as I was running up my hill, I realized, I understood, I knew that it was beautiful.  maybe someday that can happen again…” Just Google Steve Swift runner …you’ll see what I mean. FAVORITE COLOR: “As a kid my favorite color was purple. later it was black, then green, now it is something blurred and indescribable - they don’t have a crayola crayon for the color of 'sweat in your eyes',  maybe they should. FAVORITE ATHLETE: julio cesar chaves.  thomas 'the hit man' hearns. larry holmes. roberto duran.  (no disrespect sugar ray leonard, but i was never considered talented, so i'm biased against you, and the willing to endure more pain than the other guy is sometimes the only way to go), but for runners, i used to like turbo tuomo. power runner. strong, not speedy fast, but a lion on the course. I do appreciate current runners, but I don’t follow particulars anymore as much as the ideas behind them. (I didn’t really want to edit any of this because this is Steve)

Tracy Alexander works at soundRunner Old Saybrook since Nov 2009. She started running to get in shape and found out that "getting in shape" is only a small part of the benefits of running....stress relief, getting space from the world and daily problems, a feeling of great empowerment from the accomplishments over the past 25 years of running. Tracy’s goal is to keep running for as long as she can (injury free), to continue to run marathons, trail runs/races, relays, etc. Additionally, she would like to continue a healthy lifestyle for the duration. Other healthy hobbies include Yoga, Tai Chi, Cycling, and Running.... varying, depending of which day of the week it is. Her favorite elite runner is both Joan Benoit-Samuelson because of her ability to persevere (Olympic marathon triumph only days after knee surgery) and Boston Billy aka Bill Rogers because of his amazing talent, free spirit, and sense of humor all wrapped into one. But much more than any elite runner she mostly admires those so much older, than even myself, that are still so active in the great sport of running. “A lifelong commitment to an active lifestyle.” FAVORITE COLOR: turquoise.... but she loves orange too.

Jonathan Carlson has worked at soundRUNNER since October 2009 in the Branford Store. Jon is a varsity runner for the Branford High School Cross Country Team and the BHS Outdoor Track Team, and has been running for about 4 years.  In Jon’s spare time between running and schoolwork he swims for the BHS swim team. A very special hobby includes triathlons during the summer. My biggest accomplishment was winning my age group last year at an Olympic distance triathlon. FAVORITE COLOR: green.

Judy Jendrucek has been at soundRUNNER Old Saybrook since November 2009. RUNNING EXPERIENCE: “I've been running for about 20 years (yikes!). I enjoy doing 5k's and decided to do a marathon before I turned 50.did Hartford as my first when I was almost 48 and did Boston 6 months later.  I requalified for Boston and will attempt Boston again April 2010. I did one half-marathon, which I really enjoyed --- a little less pressure and training involved, but still so much fun.... Judy run’s BECAUSE: I think it’s so empowering, whether it’s 1 mile or 20.... and it really is a fun sport with great people. I love what runners are all about and what they have inside of them. (as a goal I would like to run faster. who wouldn't?) I am also a landscape architect if that counts for anything! (I really do enjoy design work, but nice to take a break in winter months and in bad economies ha, ha). FAVORITE COLOR: Blue. FAVORITE ELITE RUNNER: Kara Goucher. She symbolizes the young determined gutsy runner and is a role model for the younger generation----girl power!

Denise Amendola has worked at Branford soundRUNNER for almost 7 years! She has run 3 marathons and numerous half marathons, including her favorite…destination race…the West Palms Marathon or Half-marathon.  “I always enjoy running when I travel, it’s such a great way to see the sites in other states and countries.” Denise’s favorite color is pink.  In addition to running Denise enjoys other hobbies such as golf, gemology, swimming and cooking.

Christine Kopcha has recently been promoted to manager for the soundRUNNER Old Saybrook location...CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS! Christine does run...what started out as fitness turned into a great way to relieve stress and just have time to think things through. "I always feel better after a run!" Her accomplishments as a musician are many/ running is starting to follow suit..... finishing the marathon....and finishing strong! She had a PR at the half marathon this past fall....under 2 hours! Goals......upcoming 5K.  I've added speedwork to my training and looking forward to see how it effects my 5K,  a distance I haven't raced in a long time. Christine would love to attempt a triathlon, but she wants to do some work on her swim skills! Some hobbies include cardio sculpt, pilates, zumba (so much fun). She also cycles and sometimes does yoga at home...will break out the rollerblades come Spring! FAVORITE COLOR: I tend to stick to a lot of basic colors.  Nothing to pastel-y or neon bright.  No yellow or oranges. Rarely pinks or greens.  Black, browns, blues, greys, deep purples, reds.No favorite elite runner, but MANY:I like to follow Deena Kastor, Paula Radcliffe, Ryan Hall, Meb.  I have an article on Kara Goucher that I am looking forward to reading.

John Avitable has been working in our Branford location since the summer of 2006. I can't believe it has been that long and tonight, on the Branford Town Green, he graduated from high school. He is off to Gateway this Fall where he will take prerequisite for transfer to Central where he will persue a career in "stage lighting."

Brad Dion has worked been in the soundRunner Madison location since September 2009. Brad grew up in Madison where he ran for four years at Daniel Hand High School then went on to run at Indiana University. In both high school and college he mainly focused on the mile and the 3000meter steeplechase. Currently Brad is working towards getting back into racing track and cross country meets, while he is working with Central Connecticut State's Track Team as an assistant coach. He also plans to train some triathlons and duathalons in the near future.  WHY DO YOU ENJOY RUNNING? I love the sport for two reasons primarily. The first is just the sheer thrill of racing and pushing to the limits. The second is that it forces me to get out back into nature and enjoy everything that is great about the world. FAVORITE COLOR: I have two favorites Cream and Crimson (go Hoosiers!) FAVORITE RUNNER: I'm going to cheat again and pick two because I couldn't really pick one over the other. The first is Roger Bannister; he redefined the boundaries of human achievement by doing something that many believed was absolutely impossible. The second is Emil Zatopek, no runner before or after him has had more guts than this guy; it's something that you have to admire. 

Jesse Efron has just accepted a "long overdue" promotion. He has taken on the role of Footwear buyer for all of our locations and now we can make it official that he has accepted this as a mangement position and will be able to dedicate more time to ensuring that our customers have the latest and greatest performance footwear...more training and clinics far everyone...thanks Jesse.

Jan Weyant is the newest member of our staff and the new manager of the Madison store. We are so thrilled to have Jan on board. She comes to us with not only running and tri experience, but with tremendous retail knowledge. Welcome!

Mike Rubano 

Lisa Williams 


This is definitely a staff to be proud of. They have individuals strengths that come together and make all soundRUNNER locations very special. A little quirky, but nonetheless "special."