Meet Chad Wamack, Chattanooga native and adventure seeker. He loves the trails in our area and for him, the more time he spends on them the better. Chad had a hand in starting one of the most difficult races in the Rock/Creek Trail Series, the Upchuck 50k. And actually, the name of the race is inspired by a pit stop he made at a local gas station along the way on the inaugural run of the course. Chad is committed to promoting a healthy outdoor lifestyle in Chattanooga and when asked why he serves on the board of Wild Trails, he said, “You gotta support what you believe.” Chad and his wife Lisa have two children, Ruthie, 6, and Mary, 3. Chad works in commercial real estate when he isn’t enjoying the Chattanooga great outdoors and spending time with his family.

Kris, tell us a little bit about yourself...

Randy, my husband of 14 years, and I moved to the South (to Huntsville, AL) from Boulder, Colorado 13 years ago. We have lived in Chattanooga since 2005. In my work life I try to bring enlightenment to young adults by teaching English Composition and Literature at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. I enjoy trail running, trail running, and more trail running alone, with my husband, or with other people, but almost always with my 3 Australian Shepherds.

Why are you interested in trails?

Trails provide adventure, escape, and a connection with nature. I grew up playing and running on trails out west and I can think of few things I enjoy more.

Why are you involved in Wild Trails?

To help protect the trails and public lands, to encourage people to get out and explore the wilderness in the hope that they will fall in love with their surroundings and the sport of trail running. I also believe that the more connected people feel to their natural world the more likely they are to try to protect its resources.

Why is involvement in this type of work important?

I feel strongly that we have to care for and take care of our natural places. Sometimes people have to be encouraged to foster an appreciation for all the beauty we have available to us and Wild Trails is the venue to get people out and active in the woods.

What do you like to spend your time doing?

I love being in the woods running, hiking, climbing or hanging out. I love caving, camping, backpacking, boating, traveling.

Tell us something interesting about yourself...

I read an average of 100+ books a year.

Dawson Wheeler is co-founder and co-owner of Rock/Creek, a Chattanooga specialty outdoor retailer. He served on the boards of the National Geographic Explorer magazine as well as Ralph Lauren's RLX line. Since 1999, he has served on the board of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.

Dawson is an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and has spent much of his life exploring trails around the world. He can be found running and hiking the trails of his home in Signal Mountain, as well as volunteering for Rock/Creek races.

Dawson had a hand in creating the Triple Crown Bouldering Series as well as the Rock/Creek Trail Series and has been an outspoken advocate for trail maintenance and protection.

Mark, tell us a little bit about yourself...

I grew up in North Carolina and Alabama, went to school at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. I moved to Chattanooga in 2004 to work for Rock/Creek where I currently work as the eCommerce Director. I have met amazing people here in Tennessee and have learned valuable life lessons on various trails around Chattanooga. Running and cycling have also taken me farther afield with great friends like Kris and Randy Whorton. They have pushed me to expand my understanding of what is possible for the human body. Also, having Dawson Wheeler as a boss has had its advantages. He introduced me to long-distance cycling, now one of my favorite activities.

Why are you interested in trails?

Trails allow human interaction with wild places. We need to experience nature - for our own physical and mental health, for the sake of the places we hope to protect, and for our future as a species. My hope would be that more trails, responsibly built and maintained, would encourage more people to get outside more often. Chattanooga has an amazing variety of options for trail users, and I still feel like we're in the infancy of this city's rebirth. More great things can happen if we work together.

Why are you involved with Wild Trails?

I've been lucky to work for a locally-owned retailer with a commitment to building the outdoor community. As part of that, I've been involved in this organization from its founding, have had the opportunity to meet world-class athletes and inspiring businesspeople, and have helped fight for worthwhile campaigns like Tennessee Wild's recent efforts to protect Cherokee National Forest lands as Wilderness. I've grown in my appreciation of the outdoors per se, as well as for the impact outdoor experience can have on us as people.

What do you like to spend your time doing?

As a photographer, I always have my eyes open for unique scenes in daily life as well as adventures in the outdoors. I love to bike, run and hike the trails in Chattanooga and love exploring new places on foot, with camera in hand. I read a bit too much about city planning and architecture, and am an ardent supporter of the arts.

Tell us something interesting about yourself...

I'd love to be mayor, but only if it were like SimCity where you could demolish things at will and build them back the way you want them. I think our lives would be far richer and healthier if we spent less money and time on private cars and instead walked, rode bikes, and pooled all of those resources on fast trains and public transportation. Oh and I'd love to go into space someday.


Photo: c. Chris Lykins, "Mark McKnight runs the Cumberland Trail outside Chattanooga."

Dan Miller hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan but 6 years ago saw the light and moved himself down to Chattanooga, TN for the climate and training/racing opportunities. Dan is an active runner, mountain biker, climber, hiker, and yes, snowshoer (he’s got to go back up north for that one) and loves all Chattanooga has to offer for the outdoor enthusiast. The time Dan has spent on trails has given him an appreciation for the work that is involved in maintaining them. He loves to work on trails and says that he finds it just as gratifying to keep them free of down limbs, washouts, landslides and tree limbs as it is to run them. Dan and his wife Lisa live on Signal Mountain near Chattanooga, TN and Dan works for First Ascent Sales as an Independent Sales Rep for The North Face.

Ryan has lived in Chattanooga since the age of five. He has enjoyed a long love of the outdoors starting early in life with time spent camping, and hiking around the southeast.  Ryan has spent extensive time backpacking the AT and in the Smokey Mtn National park. For the last seven years Ryan has also been running trails and participating in Ultra trail races, logging thousands of miles a year on the beautiful trails in our area.   Two of his favorite races are the Rock Creek Stump Jump 50k and the Mt. Mitchell Challenge. Ryan is married to his wonderful wife Leah who share a love of the outdoors, travel, wine and there dogs.