Kristen Rumolo was introduced to the running world when she signed up for her first Team Challenge season over two years ago to train for the Napa-to-Sonoma half marathon. Since then she has participated in several 5Ks, 10Ks, and more half marathons including the Rock an Rock Las Vegas Half Marathon with Team Challenge. 

 Kristen joined Coach Vinny as an assitant Coach for our summer season and was a great addition to our staff. She is very excited to be coaching again for our upcoming Las Vegas  season and looks forward to running with the Team Challenge teammates each week while getting to know each one of them. Recently Kristen has started training for a triathlon and has really enjoyed adding swimming and biking to her schedule. 

Kristen welcomes anyone to contact her for any reason at all! She looks forward to working with each participant and getting them ready to cross the finish line on December 5th.

Thomas Plaza's Story
About Team Challenge and Coach Vincent

"I went to the first CCFA meeting about this journey (Team Challenge) and left thinking I was nuts.  Then I thought about the cause and told myself I can do this – for my son, my late cousin and all the other people that suffer from this horrible disease (Crohn's & Colitis).  Then there was our kick-off party and I had the opportunity to meet Coach Vinny and heard his story.  And on that very night I told myself if Vinny accomplished his goals then I can accomplish this too and run a half marathon.  I started training with a bum knee and I thought there would be no way my knee would let me take this journey.  Then again I thought about his story and said, "NO WAY CAN I QUIT ON SKINNY VINNY".  So I am proud to say to Skinny Vinny that he was my inspiration to run this half marathon and with his support and perseverance I actually did it!  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for taking the dream that I thought was out of reach of running a half marathon and making it a reality for me.  Your personal commitment allowed me to achieve that dream and without your help and continued efforts I would have never been able to do this on my own.  It has been an unforgettable journey that was well worth taking.  I look at this particular experience as an example of knowing that the impossible is possible.  You challenged my boundaries and made me push harder, not letting me give up.

For you to share your story and knowledge to all of us just shows what an incredible and amazing person you are.  Vinny, there were times you told me that I should be proud of myself – well sir, you should be extremely proud of yourself and your accomplishments.

Know you have made a big difference in my life and I would like to express to you how much I have enjoyed training with you.  Your support, patience and friendship has been a great gift to me and I will continue to “rise up, straight to the top; I have the guts and the glory; I went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop, I’m just a man with the will to survive.”