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JADE OAKES

President

Jade is a life-long Pine “Cricker” who was running around the Rocksylvania mountains before she even knew trail running was a thing. Running her first trail race at the original Call of the Wilds, she discovered other people who like to hide in the woods for hours on end as much as she does. More of a hard ass than a bad ass, she’s likely to tell you to quit whining and run. Jade served as co-Race Director for Eastern States 100 in 2019, and she's excited to not only serve on the ESTEA board, but also stepped into the Eastern States 100 Race Director role from 2021 to 2022.

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Sean Robbins

Secretary

Sean Robbins is a graduate of Villanova University and the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law.  He is an attorney with the Governor’s Office of General Counsel at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection where he has practiced law since 2000.  Sean currently serves on the boards of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, the Luzerne County Transportation Authority and is the President of the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association.  In his free time, he likes to be outdoors and enjoys running, skiing, hiking, climbing, cycling and competing in triathlons. Sean currently resides in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

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KAYLA THOMPSON

Director

Kayla started trail running when she lived in Northeast Ohio during nursing school. When she moved back to Central Pennsylvania, she recalls thinking "these people are crazy - they are literally running mountains." Since then, she's continued to run numerous Pennsylvania trail events and has completed three 100 mile races. In addition to being part of the ESTEA and helping to coordinate safety at the Eastern States 100, she is also the vice president of the Allegheny Trailrunners; she helps to coordinate volunteers and safety for both of their events, Dirty Kiln and Rock 'N The Knob. Kayla loves to introduce new people to our Pennsylvania trails because just like her when she started trail running here, so many have lived here all of their lives and have never seen the beauty the trails have to offer. When she's not out on the trails, Kayla works as a pediatric nurse practitioner and enjoys spending time with family and friends (which usually involves being outside).

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BLAKE COHEN

Director

Originally from Bradford, Pennsylvania, Blake settled in Lock Haven in 2003 where he has deep family roots. An avid trail runner since 2011, Blake has completed in  every distance of ultras up to 100 miles, including the Eastern States 100 & PA Triple Crown in 2017. Blake is a co-founder of the Eagleton Trail Challenge and has been race director since 2018. Blake joined ESTEA in 2024 and currently serves as Quartermaster.

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LEE ARBOGAST

Director

Lee is a lifelong resident of the tiny village- Clarkstown, Pa.  Lee grew up loving trails backpacking as a Boy Scout.  After many years away from the trails, he ran Hyner 25k as his first trail race in 2016.  Falling in love with  trail running, he has completed many races up to  100-miles.  Lee is active with the PA Trail Dogs, helping with trail work and volunteering.  Lee also is involved with Pursue Your Happiness, a 501(c)(3), co-race directing the Sharp Top Trail Challenge and the Hills Creek Endurance Challenge.  Lee works as a career Firefighter/EMT for the city of Williamsport, serves on a state technical rope/water rescue team, volunteers at his local fire department, and assists in local trail rescues.  When he is not trying to visit every National Park & PA State Park with his family, he can be found running around Loyalsock State Forest and the North Central PA area with his best furry friend Blaze!

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BENJAMIN MAZUR

Vice-President

Benjamin Mazur holds positions as the Founder and President of Allegheny Trailrunners, and concurrently serves as the Co-founder and Vice President of the Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance - both of which operate as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Benjamin has overseen the successful execution of over three dozen events throughout his tenure. Presently, he serves as the Race Director for prominent races such as Ironstone 100K and Eastern States 100, among others. Additionally, Benjamin assumes the role of Co-Race Director for Worlds End and Black Forest ultramarathons. His multifaceted involvement underscores his deep commitment to promoting the sport of trail running and fostering the growth of trail running communities.

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THAD WILL

Treasurer

Thad Will’s trail running roots started with the Nittany Valley Hash House Harriers, a social running club in the State College area that values the recuperative effect of beer to the body and soul of its members. As such, it was only a natural transition for Thad to the central PA trail running community in 2009. Thad completed his first ultra at Hyner in 2014. Since then he’s completed multiple ultras at  every distance up to 100 miles, including Worlds End, Laurel Highlands, Massanutten, and Eastern States. Thad lives in State College with his understanding wife Ellen, and boys Jacob and Nate. 

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CASSANDRA LIZZA

Director

Originally an avid equestrian, Cassandra Lizza gradually turned in her riding boots for running shoes as she discovered the sport of trail running. With a love of rugged, tough, and remote trail events, she found herself drawn to the Pennsylvania Wilds region. She ran her first ultra at the inaugural Hyner Trail Challenge 50K and has since completed multiple ultra events around the region—including Eastern States and the PA Triple Crown in 2016. She has participated in Eastern States every year that it was officially held since its inception, starting with crew and pacer to volunteer. A New Jersey native who now calls Lancaster City home, Cassandra can often be found exploring trails in Michaux, Tuscarora, and Bald Eagle State Forests.

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FAITH HALL

Director

Faith is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and Temple University. She works as a Survey Statistician for the U.S. Census Bureau. Although Faith has been exploring trails since she was a baby, she only began running trails as an adult. Her discovery of the ultra running world changed her perspective on running and competition in sport. Her love for trails stems from growing up in a house that sat on a large forested plot, where she and her brother created their own mini trail system. Faith's volunteering has led her to organizations that manage local trails in the Philadelphia area, including: John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, Friends of the Wissahickon, and Philadelphia Parks & Rec. She primarily resides in Philadelphia with her husband and toddler, but also spends time at their second home in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

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