Noah Anderson lives in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and will be taking on the 100 Mile distance at Wolverine State 100 in 2026.
Noah completed Wolverine State 100 in 2025 and credits the experience with helping him grow both as a runner and as a person. Through training and racing, he discovered a stronger sense of confidence and resilience, while also building meaningful connections within the ultra community.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of self doubt throughout my life and since I’ve gotten into running it’s really helped me be a more confident person. If I can help just one person realize that and take action on the concept of ‘I have more to give,’ that’s a huge win in my eyes.”
What Noah loves most about ultrarunning is the people. He appreciates the way runners support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and encourage one another to keep pushing their limits.
“The fact that the person to your left or right wants you to succeed and push your limits is so rad. It’s such a unique community.”
Outside of racing, Noah is active in the Upper Peninsula running community and helps organize a Saturday morning run group in Sault Ste. Marie. Through his social media platforms and local running groups, he enjoys encouraging others to pursue goals that may feel intimidating and helping people discover what they’re capable of.
As a Wolverine ambassador, Noah hopes to continue growing the ultra community, share his love of the sport, and inspire others to believe they are capable of more than they think.
Sean Brennan lives in Madison Heights, Michigan and will be taking on the 100 Mile distance at Wolverine State 100 in 2026.
Sean has become a familiar face in the Southeast Michigan running community through group runs, volunteering, pacing, and helping newer runners take the leap into ultrarunning. He runs with Drafting Table Brewing Company’s Thursday Night Run Club and is active across both trail and road running communities throughout Metro Detroit.
Sean loves the collaborative spirit of ultrarunning and the way people show up for each other during difficult moments on the course.
“Even though an ultra is a race — a pursuit of individual triumph — ultra runners are collaborative in everything they do. Everybody is looking out for each other, whether that means handing someone KT tape, pacing a runner through a rough patch, or helping somebody keep moving toward the finish line.”
As a teacher, coach, and community-builder, Sean enjoys encouraging runners who may be unsure whether they belong in the sport or are capable of taking on bigger challenges. He believes ultras become more approachable when people feel supported and connected to a community.
As a Wolverine ambassador, Sean hopes to help grow the race’s welcoming atmosphere, support first-time ultrarunners, and continue building the kind of trail community that makes difficult things feel possible.
Ann Cools lives in Haslett, Michigan and will be taking on the 100 Mile distance at Wolverine State 100 in 2026 — her first attempt at the distance.
Ann comes from a long background in endurance sports and community leadership. For years, she served as the head coach for Team Playmakers in Mid-Michigan, helping runners of all abilities pursue goals that once felt out of reach. Whether coordinating teams, leading group runs, or encouraging first-time runners, she’s spent years building community through movement.
For her 50th birthday, Ann decided to challenge herself by stepping into the world of ultrarunning. After years supporting her husband’s running journey, she committed to training for her own 100-mile attempt and began sharing the experience openly with friends, family, and fellow runners.
“The community is so supportive, engaged and kind. There is nothing better than finding a new pal on the trail and spending time getting to know someone while running through some of the most beautiful places.”
What Ann loves most about ultrarunning is the people. She believes the sport has a unique way of bringing together individuals from all backgrounds and helping them find connection, purpose, and confidence through shared challenge.
As a Wolverine ambassador, Ann hopes to encourage others to chase big goals, support newer runners entering the sport, and share the joy and community she’s found through ultrarunning.
Johnny DeMaagd lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and will be taking on the 100 Mile distance at Wolverine State 100 in 2026.
Johnny discovered Wolverine State 100 in 2025 and immediately connected with both the race and the community surrounding it. After completing the 100 Mile distance, he left with more than just a finish — he found a group of people whose passion, encouragement, and camaraderie made a lasting impression.
“I had such an amazing experience last year running from lake to lake and I haven’t been able to shut up about it since.”
What Johnny loves most about ultrarunning is the community. Although he only began running seriously a few years ago, he quickly found a welcoming group of people who inspired him to take on bigger goals and discover what he was capable of.
“I love how communal the ultra running community is and has been towards me. If someone that actively hated running can run 100 miles, then truly anyone can run an ultra.”
Outside of racing, Johnny is active in the West Michigan running community, trains with local running groups, and shares his running journey with a growing audience on social media. He enjoys talking about training, races, and helping others feel more confident about pursuing ambitious goals of their own.
As a Wolverine ambassador, Johnny hopes to encourage more runners to take on challenges they may not think are possible, help newcomers find their place in the sport, and continue sharing the enthusiasm that made him fall in love with Wolverine State 100.
Jay Gray lives in Petoskey, Michigan and participated in Wolverine State 100 in 2025.
Jay entered the inaugural Wolverine State 100 100 Mile race last year and, while he didn’t finish, the experience left a major impact on him. Instead of discouraging him, it strengthened his connection to the race and the community around it.
“First of all, I really loved the race. I took part in the 100 mile and sadly, I didn’t finish. I think that was a good thing as I learned what to do better next time.”
Jay is deeply involved in Northern Michigan athletics and coaching. He coaches cross country and track at Wolverine High School, works with the Charlevoix Running Company on the side, and serves as part of the coaching staff for the Petoskey Run Club. With Wolverine State 100 taking place in his own backyard, he’s excited to help grow the race and support the running community in Northern Michigan.
What Jay loves most about ultrarunning is the people.
“The community is amazing and building/being a part of this community is something special.”
As a Wolverine ambassador, Jay hopes to help connect runners across Northern Michigan, support the growth of the race, and continue building a welcoming and community-driven atmosphere around Wolverine State 100.
Andrew Maki lives in Sparta, Michigan and will be taking on the 100 Mile distance at Wolverine State 100 in 2026.
Andrew’s path into ultra running started just a few years ago after a major life change and a 70-pound weight loss. Since then, running has become a huge part of his life and identity. In 2025, he completed Wolverine State 100 — an experience he describes as one of the hardest and most meaningful things he’s ever done.
“The Wolverine State 100 changed my life. It was the single hardest thing I’ve ever done, and it completely solidified my love for ultrarunning and the community that comes with it.”
What stands out most to Andrew about the ultra community is how welcoming and supportive it is. He loves that ultras bring together people from all backgrounds who genuinely want to see each other succeed. Some of his closest friendships have come from time spent on trails, at races, and during long training runs.
Outside of running, Andrew balances endurance training with work, family life, and raising four kids. He’s active in the West Michigan trail running community, shares his journey online, and enjoys helping newer runners feel like they belong in the sport.
As a Wolverine ambassador, Andrew hopes to encourage people, support first-time ultra runners, and help others believe they’re capable of doing hard things.
Shelby Pasch lives in Lake, Michigan and will be taking on the 100 Mile distance at Wolverine State 100 in 2026.
Shelby was part of the Wolverine State 100 community before ever stepping onto the course as a runner. In 2025, she served as an Aid Station Captain at Mile 72, helping support runners through one of the toughest parts of the race while getting a firsthand look at the determination, teamwork, and emotion that define the ultra community.
That experience made a lasting impact and inspired her to pursue the 100 Mile distance herself.
“The inaugural year I didn't have the guts to tackle a 100 quite yet, so I registered and was selected to captain the mile 72 aid station at Hillman — what an epic experience!”
Shelby loves the way ultrarunning brings people together around difficult goals and shared experiences. She believes the sport creates a rare kind of connection where runners, volunteers, crews, and families all become part of something bigger than themselves.
“Our sport is the best sport. Some of my greatest friends have been met while deep in the pain cave of an ultra-marathon.”
Outside of racing, Shelby is active in the Mount Pleasant running community, leads group runs, coaches through her own group called PowHERful Pace Running, and enjoys helping newer runners discover what they’re capable of.
As a Wolverine ambassador, Shelby hopes to continue growing the race community, encourage more runners to take on big goals, and share the highs, lows, and realities of training for her first 100-mile finish.
Evan Schneider lives in Madison Heights, Michigan and will be taking on the 100 Mile distance at Wolverine State 100 in 2026.
Evan first attempted Wolverine State 100 in 2025, reaching mile 70 before ultimately recording a DNF during his first 100-mile race. Rather than stepping away from the distance, the experience deepened his connection to ultrarunning and motivated him to come back stronger.
“I actually DNF’d at mile 70 my first year. This was my first ever 100 mile race and although I didn’t finish, I met a lot of great people and gained so much perspective.”
Since then, Evan has become passionate about sharing his training journey, connecting with other runners, and helping create a supportive and welcoming environment within the ultra community. He loves the teamwork and encouragement that naturally forms during difficult races and believes some of the strongest moments in ultrarunning come from runners helping each other succeed.
For Evan, ultrarunning is about much more than individual results.
“It’s all about the team and supporting others around you and helping them succeed.”
As a Wolverine ambassador, Evan hopes to help build community around the race, encourage first-time 100 milers, organize group runs and course preview efforts, and share an honest look at the highs and lows of training for a 100-mile finish.
