Youngstown Marathon Foundation Board
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Mark Lipinsky
Race Director
Mark has worked in running specialty at Second Sole since 2007.
He is responsible for the course design/logistics
of the Youngstown Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K.
The first race he directed was the Run Ytown 10-Miler in 2013.
In the fall of 2020, he also created the Mahoning Valley XC Series,
which included 18 cross country races for middle/high school runners.
Joe has been the Director of Sponsorship for the Youngstown Marathon since 2017.
He has completed marathons in Anchorage, Alaska, Sydney, Australia and Rome, Italy and over a dozen half marathons throughout the United States.
Joe is also the Chairperson of Once A Cowboy Always A Cowboy, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization for Chaney alumni and volunteers his time at Forever Safe Farm.
Candace Madden
Vice President
Candace is the Grant Manager/Panerathon Coordinator at Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley. She is a 2019 Boston Marathon Qualifier, she’s participated in eight marathons and countless half marathons to date. Candace is a classically trained pianist and volunteers her time to play at the Hospice House for staff and patients. Candace loves to travel, spend time with family and friends, and support our local community.
Nicole Ranttila
Secretary, Marketing Director &
Director of Ambassadors
Nicole was a 2018 Youngstown Marathon Ambassador.
She is an avid Mill Creek Park runner
and completed her first full marathon in 2021.
Nicole has 25 half marathons under her belt and counting.
She created the Ranttila Scholarship Foundation to provide scholarships to college bound students. She is also on the board of Dylan's House, which aims to provide housing for adults with disabilities. She is an active community volunteer and speakers. Nicole also teaches yoga, spinning and barre.
Beth Hepfner
Treasurer
Beth is a distance walker completing numerous races with varying distances from 2 miles to a full marathon. She has walked 19 half marathons and at the age of 60 successfully finished a full marathon. She now has her sights on walking 50k. She served as Ambassador for the Youngtown Marathon for 3 years focusing on recruiting walkers and continues to "Shout Youngstown." Beth retired from Cadence Care network after serving 23 years as Director of Finance.
Janie Crowl
Director of Volunteers
Janie is the Wellness Director at Salem Community Center. She is a USAT Certified Race Director and conducts the Guilford Lake, Lake Milton & SCC Triathlons.
She is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer,
and a Level 2 RRCA Distance Coach.
Janie is a 2-time Boston Marathon Qualifier.
Steve Hixson
Board Member
Steve has enjoyed being a member of the Youngstown Marathon board since 2017. As the owner of Second Sole since 1981, he has branched out seven additional Second Sole stores in Ohio & one in Cranberry, PA. Running has always been his passion. He ran for Liberty High School (cross country state champs in 1975!), continued to run track and cross country for Ohio State & has completed 8 marathons (fun fact: his PR is 4 minutes faster than his wife's).
Lisa Resnick
Board Member
Lisa is the Founder/CEO of Dandelion-Inc and Dandelion Properties. Both companies are all about lifting people up to achieve their goals. Lisa started running later in life. Her goal was to run a 5k on her 35th birthday, and now, ten years later she has finished ten half marathons, three Ragnar relays, four marathons, and one 50K. Being part of the community is very important to Lisa, who is on the Animal Charity of Ohio Board, and the Vice President of the Board at OH WOW. She firmly believes you can do anything you want to, as long as you have passion, drive, and supportive people around you.
Sarah Hixson
Board Member
Sarah has been a competitive runner since she was 12 years old. She is a 2-time All American in Track & Cross Country while attending the University of WI-LaCrosse. At the 2011 Boston Marathon she PR'd with a time of 2:43 and finished 26th overall female. She then advanced to qualify/compete at the 2012 Marathon Olympic Trials. Currently, as a seven time Boston Qualifier, she enjoys pushing her limits as a masters runner. In her free time, she coaches the boys cross country team at Poland Seminary High School, volunteers as the distance coach for the boys & girls track teams and assists her husband with operating Second Sole.
Youngstown Marathon Foundation Team Leaders
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Christina Toth
Pacer Coordinator
Scott Denham
USATF Course Certification