Meet the Staff
Unlikely Owner of a Running Shop in Eugene, OR
My last name isn’t Prefontaine, Bowerman, or Knight, yet here I am, owning a run shop in legendary, Eugene, Oregon. At the start of my sophomore year in high school I went out for cross country. That’s where the love story of me and running began. Fast forward many years later, during graduate school, and I find myself working at run specialty shop in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri. (R.I.P. Ridge Runner Sports). I often looked back on that job as the most fun job I ever had! Now, I am lucky enough to own a run specialty store in Tracktown U.S.A. Best job ever, multiplied by a thousand!
How does one come to own a running store in Eugene, Oregon? Well, after I started my career as a high school science teacher and track/xc coach, I got to work at another run shop during the summers in St. Louis, Missouri. Shout out to Big River Running Company, and the original owners, Ben and Matt! They were great mentors. In 2012, after several vacations to the Pacific Northwest, our love for its beauty, and especially Oregon, made my wife and I decide to make it our home. I landed a teaching job across town at Springfield High and Eugene became our new home. After a couple years of teaching, I decided I was ready for a new adventure, and remembered the most fun job I’d ever had, and wondered if maybe I could make it a more permanent thing. With my previous experience working at two run shops, my own experience as a runner, 15 years as a high school coach, and a wife that had a MBA and CPA license – now you know where the real brains of the operation are – it led me to believe we had the tools to make that new adventure starting a running specialty store. We started Run Hub in May of 2015 and many years later, I still believe I have the best job ever.
Why do you love to run?
If I could boil down why I love running to one main idea, it would be the sense of accomplishment that I get from running. I read a quote posted by Brooks Running earlier this year that said, “We believe that a run can flat out change a day, a life, the world.” I would definitely agree that a good run will change my day for the better. However, I could relate many stories of how running has changed the direction of my life, too. Finally, I believe you could make a strong argument that if the world was full of runners, it might just be a better place. So, I think the quote that Brooks posted sums up well why I love running; it’s an agent of positive change.
What is your most memorable race?
My most memorable race is one from my college years. It was the conference championship cross country meet in the fall of my junior year. The race was 8 kilometers (~5 miles) and it was a race that I executed really well both physically and mentally. I mentally broke that race apart into 1 kilometer (~3 minute) chunks. I made a mini plan at the start of each kilometer to put myself in the best possible position and worked intently at executing that plan. I would end up running what I consider to be my best overall race ever, 24:44 for 8 kilometers (4:58 per mile). I finished in the top 10 next to some guys that went on to be All-Americans during college and professional runners after college.
What is your favorite non-running activity?
Anything that gets me outdoors is a favorite non-running activity. Hiking and camping are at the top of the list.
What’s your go-to shoe?
Lately, my favorite shoe to run in has been the Brooks Levitate, but for racing and faster workouts I love the Saucony Kinvara. However, if I had to have one shoe to wear running, race in and wear around it might be the Cloudflow by ON Running.
What’s your best dance move?
Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, NSYNC, Justin Timberlake and Usher are key influences of my moves. Therefore, all my dance moves are pretty incredible. It’s hard to pick just one.
Kris Pearce
Accountant Extraordinaire, Co-owner
I have been a runner since the age of nine when I started tugging on my dad’s shirt tail to let me run 5K’s with him. After that first race, dad was the one tugging on my shirt tail to slow down. I went on to win three State Cross Country team titles and be a 10K champion in the Ohio Valley Conference. Now I love exploring the roads and trails around Eugene and meeting new friends in the process.
Dietary Staple: Nachos
Letters make me feel special: CPA, MBA
Marathon PR: 3:06:57 (Twin Cities 2008)
Pre-Race Power Food: Grapes
Bucket List: Sub 3 hour marathon
Best Dance Move: The Happy Clown
Lauren Moe
Marketing Whiz & Apparel Line Manager
Growing up, I ran to keep in shape for sports I was playing and then ran track my junior and senior years in high school. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, pushing myself in track workouts so hard I wanted to throw up and running seven miles in the pouring rain for Saturday practice. I moved from my hometown of Albany, OR, to Eugene in 2001 for college and haven’t really left. After graduating from the University of Oregon and playing four years of club lacrosse, I started running longer distances when I saw an ad for the Rock n Roll half in Nashville, TN, and signed up. Since that fateful race in 2006, I’ve run three 50Ks, nine marathons and a dozen or so half marathons.
During my time at Run Hub, I’ve worn many different hats, but currently manage the marketing including social media, paid advertisements, our monthly enewsletter, website and more. Outside of Run Hub and running for fun, I have two young boys with my husband Pete and love spending time with my family and being outside.
Why do you love to run?
I love to run because it makes me feel unstoppable. When I’m struggling in another area, running makes me feel strong and confident like nothing can get in my way. I also love that you can give your all to running and you really see the payoff, getting stronger and faster as you increase your mileage (to a point). I also love the community. Wherever I’ve gone, whether it’s in Eugene, across the country or online, I’ve found the running community to be highly supportive and inspiring, and our community at Run Hub is no different. All of you make coming to work that much more fun.
What is your most memorable race?
Running the Eugene Marathon in 2012 was a really memorable one. I was chasing a PR of 3:40, if not a Boston Qualifier of 3:35 or faster. With three miles to go, a friend who wasn’t racing hopped in to pace me to the finish. Without him (shout out Chris Esparza!), I would have jogged in those last three miles, but instead I dropped my pace to 7:40-8:00 min/mile. By mile 24, that pace felt like a near sprint and even my handheld water bottle was too heavy to carry. I finished the race in 3:35:32, missing my qualifying time by 33 seconds. As I crossed the finish line, I noticed my boyfriend on the track in front of me at Hayward Field and asked him what he was doing there. He pulled me aside, got down on one knee and proposed. So while I was a bit heartbroken to have come so close to that qualifying time, I felt really proud of the PR and of course, giddy over the proposal.
What is your favorite non-running activity?
A hike followed by a cup of coffee and a pastry from Hideaway Bakery.
What is your favorite running accessory?
Garmin 245. I love having my pace, distance and HR so readily available while on the run.
What’s your go-to shoe?
Ooh, tough one. Some of my favorites are the Altra Torin, Brooks Glycerin, Asics Novablast and Hoka Mach.
What’s your best dance move?
The shake your booty, shoulder shrug to the beat move. I’m no pro, but it’s hard to drag me off the dance floor at a wedding when the music is right.
Jack Matherly
Shoe Geek, Resident Fastie, Footwear Line Manager
I’m from Fairbanks, Alaska, and moved to Eugene in October of 2020 for some change in scenery. I joined the cross country team my sophomore year of high school and haven’t stopped running since. Growing up I played a number of sports, but once I started running I felt like it didn’t matter how big or small, strong or athletic you were, running was the great equalizer. I loved to race because I loved the sense of self improvement I got from it, as well as the feeling that everyone else around me was getting the best out of themselves too.
When I moved to Eugene I was excited to be in a city where the running community and culture was apparent. I quickly learned that Run Hub was the best store in town because of their products and their community. Since joining the staff I’ve also joined the Big Timber Running Club, where I’ve been able to make new friends and continue enjoying the team atmosphere I enjoyed so much through high school and college.
Why do you love to run?
I love to run because of the sense of fulfilment I get from my daily runs and races; I like to push myself to try and find my limits.
What is your most memorable race?
The Angel Creek 50 Miler. After an accidental 17 mile run (we got lost), my buddy Matt and I went from running 3ks on the track to running a 50-mile trail race a few months later. It was overall just the craziest summer of running I’ve ever subjected myself to.
What is your favorite non-running activity?
Rest and recovery. I spend my free time with my wife and our growing family, taking the dog to the park or sitting at home reading a book.
What’s your go-to shoe?
For training, the Hoka Clifton, and for racing, the Saucony Endorphin Pro.
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookies and cream.
James Wellington
Monthly Destination Trail Run Organizer
Born in Southern California, I discovered my love for the outdoors early on when my family moved to a ranch in Cottage Grove, Oregon, at the age of five. Growing up, I spent countless hours building trails, exploring nature, and playing around animals — getting dirty was just part of the fun!
In grade school, I developed a taste for running, but it wasn’t until I turned 37 that I rediscovered my passion through trail running with my pup. Since then, I’ve embraced an active lifestyle, rarely taking a break from my adventures — except for rest days filled with light walks.
You can often find me on easy runs, local trails, pacing races, enjoying community runs, tackling Big Timber workouts, or scrambling up nearby mountains. I also love cross-training with cycling and skiing (skate, downhill, and backcountry). When I’m not on the trails, I thrive in analytical roles that connect people with useful data and applications. I strive to balance my screen time with time spent outdoors, and I’m always looking for ways to integrate nature and community into my life. If you ever need a running partner or trail enthusiast, I’m your person! I’m here to get you feeling confident and flourishing on the trails. Join us in our adventures.
Pamela Bilyeu
Training Team Coach & Bra Line Manager
As I was born and raised here in Eugene, I have memories of running in this town that go back as far back as I can remember- all comers’ meets and XC as a young child. And later I participated on the North Eugene Highlander’s track and field team, getting my varsity letter and a trip to Hayward for the state championships my freshman year. Although I’d leave Oregon when I was 20, I eventually came back when I felt the PNW and all its glory calling me back home. I had fun in Atlanta, Portland, and Boston, but there really is no place like home.
It was during the fall of 2020 that I hit the pavement running with a raging pandemic and the tail end of a stressful election season driving me to seek a sane outlet! Just a couple months later I was given a Brooks sports bra and a Run Hub gift card for Christmas that had “Shoe Love” written on it (as I was given great advice: buy a proper pair of running shoes). Shortly after I got my Launch 7s, I joined the Eugene Marathon training program with Run Hub and fell even more in love with running. I completed my first race ever as an adult with the training team, and I’ve been setting goals and learning lessons on my runs since.
Why do you love to run?
Running is something that I get to do, and I love that. I have a body that I can push and do hard things with, and I will never take that for granted.
What is your most memorable race?
My most memorable race was sometime during elementary school. I have this faint memory of being in the front pack for a xc meet at Westmoreland Park, and as we turned the corner headed up the hill I saw and heard my dad yelling my name- I ended up taking the lead as I ran towards my dad and finished first.
What is your favorite non-running activity?
My favorite thing besides running is spending time with my Boston Terrier, Howard, and the world of art.
What’s your favorite running accessory?
I love my Salomon Hydration Vest- water, nutrition, a camera, and all with hands free running!
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Prince Puckler’s Pralines and Cream, all year round- yum!