Here's a snapshot of the FR&W team, how we work together, and why we love what we do.
Steve & Genevie Roguski, Store Owners
Steve ('58) started the store in 1999, after teaching middle school, drawing maps and working on F-15 jet fighters. He moved from Florida, by way of Alaska, New Mexico, Connecticut and New Hampshire, in 1998 to be where it's happenin' and grow roots for once. Met Genevie ('66) soon after and together we work to create a nifty, helpful place to find all the best gear for runners and walkers in the best place in the world. Steve still runs and actually enjoys long runs in all weather and terrain, especially the Chuckanut 50K course. He’s a founding board member of Sustainable Connections. Hopes to someday be able to jam on the harmonica with his son Derek strumming the guitar, mandolin or banjo.
Genevie has contributed to the success of the store from early on. Since the summer of 2006, she has gone full bore with her talents and energy after transitioning from her recreational therapy career of 14 years. It may interest folks to know that she still holds track/cross country records from Sehome HS and WWU and is a sports hall of fame member at WWU! She walks a lot these days, but still runs like the wind while wearing orthotics in her neutral running shoes.
Steve and Genevie have two young ones, Hannah and Derek. They are both very smart, creative, musical, and artistic. Hannah ('93) prefers dancing to running, and Derek ('85) likes to jump and vault as he runs (parkour!).
Craig Bartlett, Store Manager
Craig has been running for over 30 years (yes, he's old!).
Favorite trail: I love the variety of trails close to Bellingham. I still get excited when I discover a new one (like the Hush-Hush); there's nothing like that first run on a new trail when you aren't sure what's around the next bend.
Favorite day: Running around Mt. St. Helen's each summer. It's a rough and wild 31-mile circuit with incredible variety and panoramic views. Every year, Sheep Canyon gets deeper and steeper, and it's a challenge just to get across it.
Family time: My wife, Kristen, is a high school art teacher, and we have two boys - Miles, who is eight, and Chase, who is six. It won't be long before I'm the slowest runner in our family!
Little-known fact: Art major in college. Won first prize in a juried competition for a lithographic print titled, “I Laugh with Kristen.”
Favorite shoe: When I was faster and on the roads, I absolutely loved the Nike Air Span 2. Now, I'm more of a plodder on the trails. I tend to like heavier, mattress-like shoes with a thick heel and narrow midfoot. The Adidas Adistar Cushion 5 has been the ticket to bliss for me.
Rubbing elbows with the rich and famous: Craig went to high school with actress Kelly Preston, three-time Super Bowl champ Mark Tuinei, six-time world-champion wind surfer Robbie Naish, four-time steeplechase Olympian Henry March, and Barack Obama.
Muffin tip: Try the rhubarb muffin at the Dutch Mother's Bakery in Lynden.
Good flicks: The Milagro Beanfield War, The Sweet Hereafter, Local Hero.
Dylan Wirkhala, Apparel Manager
Started at store: September 2006
Hails from: Long Beach, Washington
Favorite shoe: Brooks Launch
I really love working at this amazing store. I have a passion for running and fitness and also love helping people, so I feel like this is a perfect fit for me. I am really excited to be the new apparel manager at Fairhaven Runners. Learning new things and taking on new challenges keep my job fun and exciting. I enjoy running a wide range of distances, from short faster races on the track, to long runs on one of the many great trails we have here in our beautiful city. I love living in Bellingham. It's nice to have so many options for recreation all year long.
Kelsey Zane
My running began in sixth grade when I decided that the PE mile was something I needed to train for. Luckily, I was able to complete the entire four laps around the track with minimal embarrassment and no medical emergencies. Plus I learned I kind of enjoyed running around my neighborhood and getting in shape. After borrowing my mom's old shoes for a while I got my own and joined the track and field team in junior high. By ninth grade I was tempted to try out this thing called cross country and am quite glad I did. Throughout high school, cross country was the name of the game, along with a little tennis and track and field. The training to run races for cross country taught me a great deal about my approach to life and working in a unique team atmosphere. Throughout those years I developed some of my closest friendships and most of my work ethic.
Upon graduation I had to figure how to stay motivated and that's when I began to investigate the trails. It's all about the journey, not so much the time, but the way that I feel during that run. Sometimes the journey is simply a mind wash, the chance to work through my list of things to do. Now that I've graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Kinesiology I'm excited and ready to start a Physical Therapy program. While applying to a program is daunting, working in a fast paced environment is a huge help.
Favorite Active Rest Activities: hiking, tennis, ultimate frisbee...and of course, football. Go Hawks!
Favorite Quote: "Champions are made in the off-season, what have you done today to be better than your competitors?" -Unknown
Most played running song: "The White Unicorn" Wolfmother
Shop Talk: Currently enjoying the Saucony Kinvara & Brooks Launch. They're both light shoes that provide for an exhilarating ride!
Josh Vander Wiele
My running life began when I was an 8th grader. I ran track for the first time and didn’t even know what cross country was until I was a freshman when I saw some guys running around the soccer field. It didn’t look like much fun to me so didn’t even try it out until I was a junior. Since then, I haven’t stopped. I ran all the way through college and kept on going after I graduated. I got to enjoy the thrill of the marathon when running Chicago in 2005. Since then I’ve completed 7 more marathons including Boston in 2010. After moving to Bellingham in 2008 I have gotten to explore an even greater running experience of running the trails in the Chuckanuts and on Galbraith Mountain.
Favorite shoe: For training it would be the Nike Pegasus and for racing it would be the Nike Lunaracrer.
I grew up in New Jersey and attended Calvin College in Michigan where I got my B.A. in psychology. I then moved to Ohio where I was an assistant coach at a local high school. I coached hurdles and jumps which I am terrible at and had no idea what I was doing, but I Loved it! I then went to Ohio University, getting my masters degree in counseling. I started working as a counselor, then moved to Chicago where I was introduced to the world of specialty running stores. When I found my way to Whatcom County, I initially worked at a local community mental health clinic, working with inmates in the county jail. Unfortunately, the funding got cut so the next logical thing for me to do was work at Fairhaven Runners and Walkers. So, here I am!
Future Goals: Enjoy life at Fairhaven Runners, start doing some long bike rides, and complete the Chuckanut 50k!
Erik Bies
Started at store: August 2006.
Hi, I am Erik! I love cross country, track and field, and running for fun. I'm a weekend warrior at Fairhaven Runners since I live in Kirkland and attend the University of Washington. I am currently in the physical therapy program there, but I still love to be in Bellingham when I can.
Chad Mullavey, Electronics, Vibram, Socks, Nutrition and Tuesday Run Leader
Started working at store: January 2008.
Running: Running has been a passion and hobby ever since I was a young kid. I ran to school every morning and loved when we used to run in PE. Running has been a sport that has been in the family for a while: my grandpa ran in high school and college, as well as my dad. It has now become my turn to snatch the baton. High school cross country, which ironically I was not truly into, sealed the deal. It was that exposure that got me hooked!
Favorite area to run: I love running on fast single-track trail that can be found on Galbraith or the Chuckanuts and also through Boulevard Park or out the interurban. In the summers I love running Whidbey Island while I’m at my beach house. There is something about that feeling of having nothing around you — just you, your shoes, and the path ahead.
Favorite quote: You are only as strong as you think you are (both mentally and physically). This has been a great reminder in helping me gain the most from my training.
Favorite shoe(s): Nike Lunaracer- A great blend of lightweight, minimal, low profile fit, a dab of cushioning and a responsive ride makes this shoe one of my favorites to run in. Although truth be told more often than not I am out logging miles in my Vibram Five Fingers. Vibram KSO Trek- With the Treks buttery soft Kangaroo leather, individual toe slots, lightly cleated outsole, and ultra minimal design this shoe is my favorite weapon of choice. You truly get the feeling of running in the trail rather than on it.
Reasons I love my job: As many staff have said, I love my job because of you, the customer. I enjoy taking my love of running and using it to help others find their true potential and love of the sport. It is always satisfying to help someone into a great pair of shoes, then hear them, months later, saying, “I am now in the best shape of my life.” We all want to be heroes, and in this small way I feel that I can be.
About me: I am currently going to Western Washington University taking classes in the Engineering Technology department to get my Vehicle Design degree. From there, I hope be able to apply this design skill set to either cars, bikes, or shoes. We will see where life takes me.
Jeva Morton, Tuesday and Thursday Run Leader
When did you start working at the store: September 2008
How long have you been running: I grew up as a sprinter. When I was little I would race my dad all the time and loved the feeling of moving at lightning speed. I continued to sprint through middle school, high school, and college. So, competitively, I’ve been running for 11 years. Now, I run for fun to enjoy nature, stay balanced and stay in shape. In May 2010 I completed my first half marathon in Vancouver and loved it. My goal is to someday complete a marathon.
Education: I graduated from Sehome High School here in Bellingham. In the spring of 2008 I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma with a Recreation degree and a minor in Coaching. I am currently a student at Western in the Early Childhood Education program.
Most memorable running moments: In 2004 I was the District Champion in the 100m and 200m dash. Also, ’02 -’03 I was the lead off leg in a State Champion 4x100 relay. More recently, in 2009, I participated in the Bridger Ridge run held in Bozeman Montana, it was the most difficult, the most beautiful and the most rewarding race I have completed.
Favorite Trail in Bellingham: Bellingham has so many amazing trails, it’s hard to have one favorite. For me, the winder and more obstacles the better. Also, water and mountain views are also high priority when choosing runs. I think my favorite tail runs have been exploring Galbrith.
Favorite shoes: For running, right now the Scott brand and I are a match made in heaven. I love the Scott eRide Support. Outside of running you will most likely see me in my Chaco PedSheds or Chaco Flips.
Food: I’m a sucker for seafood. My dream meal would involve crab and oysters, artichokes, sourdough bread, a honkin salad, watermelon and cake, a lot of cake. YUM!
Genissa Sygitowicz
From: Glacier, WA. I attended Mt. Baker High School, Go Mountaineers!
I graduated from WWU in 2000 with a BA in Philosophy and a minor in Anthropology. Still pondering what to do with the rest of my life, I joined the US Coast Guard in 2001, specializing in damage control. After 5 thrilling years of uniformed service, it was time to go back to civilian life.
Once again, I was not sure what to do with my life professionally. I am now happily working at Fairhaven Runners and Walkers, and am also a certified personal trainer.
My experience with running began in junior high school. I was not coordinated enough to participate in other sports, but wanted a way out of gym class. So I joined the cross country and track teams. Turns out, I wasn’t very speedy either. But my sheer love of running has kept me going for twenty years now and enjoying every step of it!
These days I like to run marathons and trail ultras just for the fun of it. I also enjoy road and mountain biking, swimming, triathlon and yoga.
When I’m not at the store, you can find me on the trails, out sailing the San Juans, or curled up with a good book and a dog or two!
Steve Grichel, Accessories Manager
I first came to Bellingham when I attended WWU from 1993-1997. While at Western I competed in track and XC. After graduating from WWU I returned to Kirkland, where I had grown up. It took about 6 years, but eventually my wife and I were able to return to Bellingham.
I have been running for over 25 years now. I started out as a high jumper and hurdler but quickly figured out that the hurdles were not for me. From there I moved up to middle distance events. To this day the track is my absolute favorite place to race. However, I also enjoy racing XC and on the roads.
For the past few years I have been leading a Tuesday evening track workout, as well as coaching the Greater Bellingham Running Club (GBRC) summer track workouts. I am also a GBRC board member.
Tabor Reedy
Hey there! My name is Tabor and I started my running career when I was in middle school. I hail from Poulsbo, Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula, where I graduated from high school. Currently I am attending Western Washington University, pursuing a degree in Geology. At Western I compete for both the track and cross country teams. My favorite place to run is Galbraith mountain because of the hills and trails, and on a nice day the views can be breathtaking. I hope I can help you find whatever you need to make your running as great as it has been for me!
