Profiles of Participants
Some of the participants in the 2023
Banana Slug Backyard Ultra are featured below. See
the complete roster for a complete
list of participants.
Tallyn Sherman
Tallyn "The Gazelle" Sherman is a southern born, midwest raised,
east coast averse running phenom (in his head at least). His
passion for running is cemented in his soul, having competed in
cross country, 5ks, 10ks, and Half-Marathons in the Fields,
Forests, and streets of Wisconsin through High School, to the
Majestic Island of Staten & exotic parks of Brooklyn & Manhattan
NY for collegiate cross country (D3, for first semester of
college, non-scholarship) and back again to the Fields, Forests,
and streets of Wisconsin @ UWMilwaukee (non-collegiate 5 & 10Ks,
Half Marathons), to finally creating his own home in Denver and
beginning to branch into Ultras in the Rocky Mountains of
Colorado.
His love of running has brought him to his first West Coast
running experience. Having competed at the Ouray Last Man
Standing race (7 Yards first year, 10 Yards second year) in the
heart of the mountains, he knows the wonderful torture that
awaits and can't wait to experience with his fellow
masochists.
Also, Carl don't listen to Joe. If you get Domino's, definitely
get pineapple (please)!
Heidi Quinn
Hey gang, Heidi Quinn here coming in from the far north of
Alaska. I started running about 12 years ago when I lived in the
Willamette Valley and am excited about coming back to chase down
loops with you all.
I was mostly a road runner during my years in Oregon (sad, I
know) and didn’t start trail running until I moved to Alaska in
2015. I was fortunate to meet some insanely hardcore mountain
and trail runners here who inspired me to start running longer
and steeper. In 2021 I ran my first ultra, the Mt. Hood 50K and
in 2022 I finished the 12 hour Alaska Endurance Race, the Denali
100K, and most recently the JFK 50 Mile.
When I’m not slogging out miles while eating snacks, I’m busy
being mom to my 15 year old son who shares my love of long trail
miles and putting on other grueling races for fellow
dirtbags. As a race director for AKtive Soles, my team and I put
on a few mountain and trail races each year and this year added
our first backyard ultra. After watching all the suffering that
went on during that race I felt like I was missing out and knew
I needed to experience it for myself. So here I am. Looking
forward to the party with you all.
Keegan Winkle
I’m Keegan, the male portion of this lobster-rat adoption (the
lady with the smile is my wife Lauren and lobster-rat
co-parent). I’m an accountant, former Portland State/Mt.SAC pole
vaulter, and fly angler. I’m a novice ultra/trail runner but
since my track and field life is in my past, I’m leaning into a
new outlet to cause myself pain. This will be my second
organized race and I look forward to finding out what lap will
make me cry and which one will make me quit.
Can’t wait for April!
Mikey Sklar
This race will be my sixth backyard. My best is 30 loops and if
it is a good day, on a good day, on a good day maybe more. I do
well in loop races and use marathon through 100k’s (which my
girlfriend makes me run) as training runs. I design DIY hardware
for a living and work part time for Adafruit. Really hoping
everyone can stay in there as long as possible so we can put up
a big number by working together.
Matt Greensmith
Matt "trail daddy" Greensmith is a pillar of Portland's
non-competitive beer mile community. Often referred to as "the
Barry Bonds of trail running", Matt is legendary for both his
arm strength and his willingness to try any banned substance
once, just for the experience. He firmly intends to win his age
group of "middle-aged bearded Clydesdale men who are attempting
a backyard ultra for the first time," even if he ends up with an
asterisk beside his name.
Joe Carroll
Hi, I'm Joe. Last year, on my 26th loop at the Banana Slug I was
hit in the arm by an errantly thrown frisbee that came from a
negligent disc golfer. Sadly, I never regained the emotional
fortitude to continue with the competition and timed out. The
physical scars have healed but the nightmares of hippies and
frisbees still haunt me. This April I'll be back to conquer my
fears.
Also, Carl? Can you order us Domino's for the night loop?
Please, nothing with pineapple (Yuck). Thanks in advance!