ASHLEY KUMLIEN
[ runner/founder ]You may be asking yourself "What makes you qualified?" And to that I would say "What's with all the questions?" But seriously, I would say the first qualifications would be an unquestionable love for running, which I definitely possess (just ask anyone that knows me!), and an ever growing desire to use my abilities to change the lives of others.
School: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Degree: BS in Exercise & Sport Science-emphasis in Fitness, Certified Adventure Boot Camp Instructor Occupation: Fitness Adventure Boot Camp Instructor & Personal Trainer
Age: 25
This is definitely going to be a challenge to my physical and mental abilities, but it is more importantly a tribute my mother who has been fighting MS for over 27 years, and to every other individual and family fighting MS. Running across America for my mom, Jill, and the thousands of other individuals fighting MS will be the most rewarding accomplishment I have yet achieved.
My personal love for long distance running is one of my earliest memories and I have been doing it competitively for over eleven years now. I may not be the fastest runner in all my races, but I train hard and usually finish near the top. Over the years, after a lot runners lose their passion for the sport, I still train 6 days a week and have broken into the ultramarathon running circuit this year.
I have also been an athlete my whole life and have focused my education towards training & fitness so I feel physically & mentally well prepared for the challenges ahead. In my eleven years of running I have only increased my endurance abilities and love for long distance, which helps explain my passion to run across America to fight a disease that has greatly affected my family and I. 
View My Videos
RUNNING ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Rookie of the Year- Waukesha North H.S. Varsity Cross Country 1999
Most Deticated Runner- Waukesha North H.S. Varsity Cross Country 2001
Team Captain- Waukesha North H.S. Varsity Cross Country 2002
4 year Varsity Letter winner- Waukesha North H.S. Cross Country 99-02
LaCrosse, WI 2006 Turkey Trot 5K- Finishing time of 22:00 mins (7:08 mins per mile pace); 1st Place 20-24 yr age group; 3rd Place 20-24yr female overall
Denver, CO 2007 Running of the Green 7K- Finishing time of 31:08 (7:10 mins per mile pace)
Denver, CO 2007 Rocky Mtn Half Marathon- Finishing time of 1 hr 51 mins (8:39 mins per mile pace); 53th overall female
Greenbay, WI 2008 Dick Lyite Half Marathon- Finishing time of 1 hr 45 mins (8:03 mins per mile pace); 3rd Place 20-25 yr age group; 75th overall male & female
Greenbay, WI 2009 Dick Lyite Half Marathon- Finishing time of 1 hr 42 mins (7:59 mins per mile pace); 4th Place 20-25 yr age group; 75th overall male & female
LeGrande, WI 2009 Ice Age Trail 50 Mile ultra marathon- Finishing time of 10 hrs 15 mins (12:18 mins per mile pace); 3rd Place 18-29 yr female age group; 97th of 233 overall male & female
Greenbush, WI 2009 Glacial Trail 50 Mile ultra marathon- Finishing time of 10 hrs 51 mins; 20th place overall; 4th place female finish
Dousman, WI 2009 Northface Endurance Challenge ultra marathon- Finishing time of 9 hrs 39 mins; 3rd place age-group finish; 64th of 168 overall
TEAM JILL
2009 - MS Society Walk 
WORDS oF WISDOM
"Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others."
-Barbara Bush
"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock - the stream always wins. Not through strength, but through persistence."
- Buddha
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Melbourne, Australia