Ann Aubry is Director of Communications at Illinois Wesleyan University. A Central Illinois native, she moved to Bloomington and joined IWU in 2002. 

Ann has been participating or mentoring with the Lake Run Club training program Ride the Wave (RTW) — now Wave Runners — every year since 2014. She keeps a spreadsheet of data from her race performances (probably not quite up to Merlin Anderson levels, but still loves a good spreadsheet). Of 34 LRC circuit and other local races in which she’s competed since 2015, Ann earned a spot on the podium (a top-three finisher) in her age group 28 times, and never finished below 4th place. She’s also discovered her cohort becomes more competitive as she gets older!

Her most memorable running adventures have been Ragnar Races — 200-mile 12-person relay races — in the Kentucky Bourbon Chase. It’s 30-some hours of nothing but running, resting, eating, caffeinating — and the most fun anyone could hope for!

Ann’s first RTW mentor was the late, beloved Meg Anderson, who remains her inspiration for how to live, run, and hopefully encourage others along the way.

Tod Williamson started his running career at Lexington High school in the late 70’s and early 80s.  Ran middle distances in track the 440 and 880. Showing my age, as the majority of the tracks were measured in yards not and surface composed of cinders. 

After high school, running became a side project to keep in shape for my primary sport, which was motocross racing. Became successful over the years and competed at both the local and National scene.  Traveled across the USA, including making a main event at Pro AMA 500cc national motocross at Troy Ohio in 1988.  Eventually evolved to longer off-road motorcycle endurance events, called Enduros. Took home a national win in 125cc expert class in the mid 1990’s.   Worked as a motorcycle mechanic at Anderson Kawasaki during the 80’s and it was my dream job at this period in my life.

Put racing aside burner to attend college. Graduate of Lincoln Jr College and received Bachelors at Illinois State University.  Was a crisis line volunteer when attending college at ISU.  Where my I met my future wife Dara who was also a volunteer there. Worked construction with my father’s construction business while going to College and a few years at Illinois State University in their computer services area before joining State Farm. Worked at State Farm for over 30 years in various IT and Computer Security roles.  Recently retired in 2025.  

Have been involved with the Lake Run club for over 25 years, leading the Ride the Wave program back in the early 2000’s.  Race director at the Lake Run for the past 10 years or so, and the race director for the Deer Run 8K.  Lake Run Club president for several years. Enjoy volunteering for the kids run for fun in the summer months.   

Notable Running highlights:

Ran over 25 marathons, including Boston in 2008.  2001 Top of Utah Marathon PR 3:21

Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon 1:30:30  2008   Ran a couple sub 1:29’s at Mahomet.

Frostbite Festival 10 Mile:  1:09:24  2010

Decatur Shoreline 15K: 1:02:26 2009

Steamboat 4 Mile 24:53  2002

Steamboat 15K 1:03 2009

Park to Park 5 mile 31:14  2008

Dog Days 5K 18:45 2008

440 53.4  1981

880 2:04 1981

8^th 60-69 age group Core 4 60 Mile Gravel Bike Race 2024

Competed in a few ½ ironman events, the Pigman in Iowa and Muncie ½.

LA-Barstow to Vegas Dual Sport (off-road Motorcycle event, 500 Miles in the desert)

Have been fortunate to be fairly injury free over the years, and have plenty of lessons learned to assist our club members.  When not running, enjoy cross training via cycling, and competing in both Mountain Bike and Gravel bike racing events.  Having a blast chasing grandkids Roman 4 and Myles 2, chilling out with my kids Aubrey and Teague.