Mission Statement
The mission of the Pensacola Runners Association is to promote, support and develop running and racing in Pensacola and along the Northern Gulf Coast. Our objective is to provide information, education, training, social and sporting events for competitive and noncompetitive runners and walkers of all ages, races, genders, and abilities.
Board of Directors
Titled Members
Candace Gibson
President
Candace has been a member of PRA for 12 years. During her time on the board, she has served in various roles including Secretary, President, and co-race director. She and her husband, Mark, are on the quest to run a marathon in all seven continents with only two remaining.
Gabriela Garza
Vice President
Gabriela Garza has been a PRA member for 13 years, 11 of which she has served on the board in multiple capacities including At Large, Event Coordinator, Vice President, and President. She has been the race director for multiple races over the last six years. She works for a local bank and volunteers in her free time to ensure our community offers space and events for walkers and runners of all abilities.
Molly Nowlan
Secretary
Molly Nowlan has been a member of the Pensacola Runners Association board since 2022, and has served as both President and Secretary. She loves being part of the local running scene and the friendships that come with it. A dedicated triathlete, she’s currently training for her first Ironman.
Mark Gibson
Treasurer
Mark has been involved with PRA for 12 years in many capacities. He is a retired Navy Captain and enjoys traveling to exotic race destinations with his wife, Candace.
Megan Owen-Heaton
Volunteer Coordinator
Megan has taken on the role of Volunteer Coordinator on the PRA Board. For more than a decade, she has participated in the running community of Pensacola and enjoys witnessing individuals uplift each other. She’d love for you to come volunteer for PRA and see for yourself!
Dr. Craig Henry
Logistics
Dr. Craig Henry is a licensed chiropractor serving Pensacola and the surrounding area. He has served on the PRA board for many years in a variety of roles including course set-up, race director and equipment manager. Craig is a Lou Gregory award winner. He’s an avid runner and advocate for a healthy, active lifestyle.
Lorenzo Aguilar
Logistics
Lorenzo Aguilar is the owner and founder of Fitness Impact Training. As a coach for healthy and injured clients, he has helped people and athletes at all levels. Lorenzo has served on the board for many years in a variety of roles including co-race director, logistics, and volunteer coordinator with youth organizations.
Board Members at Large
Julie Watkins
Julie has been a PRA board member since 2023. Julie has been a cross-country runner since high school. She is also an RRCA-certified coach and is passionate about youth running. Julie has been the head women’s cross-country coach for Pensacola State College’s cross-country team since 2019.
Amy Marquez
Originally from Massachusetts, Amy is the Director of Events for Pensacola Sports, serving as the race director for races such as the Double Bridger Run and many other community events. She has been a member of PRA for 4 years and volunteers her time at various PRA events. She has completed many races including 3 half marathons and a sprint triathlon and is currently training for her first marathon with dreams of qualifying and running Boston Marathon one day.
Abe Nowlan
Abe has been a member of the Pensacola Runners Association Board since 2022. He is passionate about promoting running within our community, fostering a healthy and active lifestyle. As a triathlete with the Tri Harder Be Better Club, Abe strives to inspire others by trying new things. He is currently exploring trail running.
Dr. Justine Roper
Dr. Justine Williams Roper is a dedicated member of the PRA and passionate about making running more inclusive and accessible to all. She is a physical therapist, marathoner, and advocate for community wellness through movement and education.
CJ Charon
CJ is active-duty Navy currently stationed at NAS Pensacola as an A School instructor. He has been a member of PRA since November 2024. During his time on the board, he has assisted in setup and breakdown of all races. His running achievements include multiple half marathons and a full marathon. He has goals of getting into ultra marathons.
John Pecore
John Pecore is a professor at the University of West Florida and an active member of PRA. A recent addition to the PRA Board, he’s passionate about endurance sports, with experience as both an ironman and ultramarathoner. In his free time, John enjoys section hiking the Appalachian Trail and exploring the outdoors.
Volunteer
The PRA is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to promote, support and develop running, walking and racing in Pensacola and along Florida’s Northern Gulf Coast. We want the dollars spent by the running community to enhance the experience of being a runner or walker in Northwest Florida.
The events and programs we produce would not be possible without the support of the Pensacola area’s active and involved community of runners and walkers. That said, we are always looking for new volunteers to get involved and help take us to the next level.
If you’d like more information about ways to get involved please send your inquiry and contact information to the PRA at [email protected]. You can also consider joining our Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/pensacolarunnersassociation
Donate
PRA is AN ALL-VOLUNTEER, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization