Bio: Andy Shepperd is a father, runner, and the Executive Director and founder of Project Outrun—an organization that empowers kids fighting pediatric cancer through custom shoes, swag, and finish-line support. His running journey began 12 years ago, inspired by watching the Akron Marathon go by his front door. Since then, he’s completed five marathons, countless half marathons, and helped his son Griffin fall in love with the sport, too. Today, they share both the run and the stage—Griffin and his brother’s band Shep will even be playing post-race at Rock Hall!
Fun Fact: Andy’s son Griffin is a multi-instrument musician and a cross country athlete—epitomizing both runner and rocker energy.
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Running Highlight: Founding Project Outrun, completing 5 full marathons, and sharing the love of running with his kids
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Rock Hall Half Connection: Andy is proud to be the charity partner for this year’s race and believes deeply in the healing, empowering power of running—especially when it brings people together for a greater cause.
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Instagram: @ProjectOutrun | @OutrunAndy | @SheponStage
Bio: Stacy is an Ohio native who’s passionate about sharing her love for Cleveland’s running community. She ran her first half marathon in high school when the distance felt intimidating—but now, it’s her favorite. She’ll be toeing the line for the half again this year, drawn to the balance of endurance and quick recovery. Stacy used to chase PRs, but now she runs for joy, connection, and community. As a pacer, she loves helping others hit goals and celebrate their running journey—always reminding her pace group to reflect on why they run, even if the answer is beer and pizza.
Favorite Distance: Half Marathon
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Running Highlight: Running her first half marathon in high school—and turning it into a lifelong passion
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Rock Hall Half Connection: Whether you’re local or traveling in, Stacy believes Cleveland’s running community will welcome you with open arms and unmatched race-day energy.
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Instagram: @speck3
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Facebook: Stacy Speck
Bio: Jesse Knight is a 44-year-old father, high school track & field coach, and world-traveling distance runner based in Cleveland. He began running after a coworker suggested it as a way to lose weight—and after completing his first race, he was hooked. Since then, he’s run over 125 races, including 7 marathons (5 of the 6 majors), with his sights set on Boston in 2026 and completing a half marathon in all 50 states. Jesse is also a longtime member of @runwiththewinners and brings passion, experience, and community to every mile.
Fun Fact: Jesse cooked professionally for 27 years before changing careers—and he’s still a serious foodie and gamer on the side.
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Running Highlight: 125+ races and counting, including 5 of the 6 World Marathon Majors
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Rock Hall Half Connection: The Rock Hall Half was Jesse’s first half marathon—and it was the race’s inaugural year, too. He’s proud to be an ambassador and has already helped introduce new runners to the race, with plans to bring even more in 2025.
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Instagram: @Jess100milesandrunnin
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Run Club: @runwiththewinners
Bio: Leslie is an entrepreneur, mom of three, and passionate running coach based in Lake County, OH. She shares her love of running as a coach with Fit4Mom Lake County and as the Community Coordinator for the Healthy Kids Running Series in Mentor. Leslie started running in college and has since tackled everything from 5Ks to full marathons—including the Goofy Challenge at Walt Disney World. Through the ups and downs of motherhood, running has given her space to stay grounded, set goals, and connect with others. As a Rock Hall Half Ambassador, she’s excited to help fellow parents rediscover the joy in chasing down finish lines.
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Favorite Distance: Half Marathon
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Running Highlight: Broke 2:00 in the half and completed the Goofy Challenge at Disney in 2025
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Rock Hall Half Connection: Running has helped her carve out time for herself through motherhood, and she’s excited to share her passion with others at Rock Hall.
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Instagram: @leslie_rad_travel
Bio: Aka Dee T, Dee is a 37-year-old fiancée, mom of two, and lifelong lover of running. What started with 200-meter sprints and Kids Dashes has grown into a passion for long-distance running and goal setting. After never running beyond a 5K before 2023, she set a 2024 goal to earn a medal every month—but a fractured leg in January forced her to reset. That setback became motivation, and by spring she was back on the course, running her first half marathon relay at the Rock Hall Half. Now training for her first full marathon in November 2025, she brings determination and joy to every race.
Favorite Distance: Still discovering, but embracing the challenge of longer races
Running Highlight: Completing her first Half Marathon Relay at the Rock Hall Half in 2024 after recovering from injury
Rock Hall Half Connection: The Rock Hall Half was a turning point in Dee’s running journey, where she felt the electric energy, support, and love that made her fall even deeper in love with the sport.
Instagram: @DenishiaT
Bio: Kayla is a lifelong runner who’s been lacing up since she was 15—just for the love of it. After being diagnosed with several autoimmune disorders in 2017, she had to relearn how to run, eventually completing her first half marathon in 2018 and her first full in 2019. Since then, she hasn’t looked back. In 2024 alone, she came back from a broken hip to become a three-time ultramarathoner. When she’s not running, you’ll find her outside with her dog Ollie, reading, or on a mission to find the best pizza and beer.
Running Highlight: Bouncing back from a broken hip in late 2023 to become a 3x ultramarathoner in 2024.
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Rock Hall Half Connection: Running is Kayla’s outlet and joy, and she’s excited to bring that energy to Rock Hall—along with her signature smile, tattoos, and fluffy doggo cheer squad.
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Instagram: @prokop_kay
TikTok: @busyrunnerlife
Bio:
Kat’s running journey began unexpectedly in 2016, following bariatric surgery that sparked a total life transformation. With the support of her trainer—and a gift of her first pair of “real” running shoes—she took her first run: just 30 seconds at a time. From there, she built slowly and steadily to her first mile, then 2-mile race, 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, and even an ultra-relay. Kat joined RunWithTheWinners in 2018 and now co-leads the group with DJ Steph Floss, helping others discover the power of showing up and enjoying the journey—no matter the pace.
Fun Fact: Kat’s first “run” was under two minutes total—and she’s now an ultra finisher.
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Running Highlight: From 30-second treadmill runs to leading one of Cleveland’s most inspiring run clubs.
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Rock Hall Half Connection: Kat ran her first Rock Hall race in 2018 and is finally tackling the half this year to earn that big guitar medal—and more priceless memories at the finish line.
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Instagram: @kat65455 | @runwiththewinners
Bio:
Jeff moved to Cleveland from The Bronx in 2018 and has been running consistently for the past five years. What began as a fitness routine has grown into a passion for long-distance racing, with 10 half marathons and 7 marathons under his belt—including a sub-4-hour marathon finish. Jeff is a musician at heart, and when he’s not running, you’ll find him playing guitar or blasting metal to get hyped before a race. He runs for clarity, growth, and that unbeatable feeling of progress—on and off the course.
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Fun Fact: Jeff is a guitarist who listens to metal to fuel his long runs and race-day mindset.
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Running Highlight: Breaking 4 hours in the marathon and training for his 11th half—his second Brooklyn Half.
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Rock Hall Half Connection: The Rock Hall Half was Jeff’s first-ever half marathon and remains one of his favorite races for its rhythm, energy, and electric Cleveland vibe. He’s run it four times and is proud to represent a course that continues to challenge and inspire him.
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Instagram: @Jeff.sev
Bio: Jenn has been a runner for over 23 years, but it was in Cleveland where she truly found her stride. What started as a way to stay in shape for high school sports has grown into a lifelong outlet for joy, challenge, and resilience. She’s completed 3 marathons, 10 half marathons (including the Rock Hall Half twice), and is currently training for a 10-mile race with the 2026 Disney Marathon on deck. A mom of two, brand marketer, and Girls on the Run coach, Jenn is passionate about helping others find movement that builds confidence—whether that’s running, strength training, or dancing in the kitchen.
Post-run treat: A giant Starbs and a celebratory Snickers bar
Running Highlight: 3 marathons, 10 half marathons, and a big goal ahead: the 2026 Disney Marathon with her husband.
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Rock Hall Half Connection: Jenn loves the energy, community, and Cleveland pride this race brings. She’s thrilled to be an ambassador and help others discover the magic—whether it’s their first race or their fiftieth.
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Instagram: @jennmcelhatten