Our 2025 LA Marathon training season officially kicked off on Saturday, September 14! Over the next few weeks, we will continue to introduce our awesome LA Marathon Pace Leaders as well as our Marathon Coach. Find out why they run and some fun facts that could spark a conversation during your next group run! This week, we meet Richard and Simeon, our Pace Leaders for our 8 Minute Pace Group!
Name: Richard Neufeld
Which group do you run with? 8 minute pace group
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? 2 years
How many marathons have you run? 3 marathons
Why do you run? I started running to improve my mental and physical health. I like that running is an individual challenge, but at the same time, I love the community and people I run with!
Favorite post run snack/meal? Coffee and breakfast burritos
Running Mantra: “A good race is never a fluke. Sometimes a bad run is a fluke, but if you run a great race, it’s because you’re capable of doing it.”
Occupation: Mathematics Professor
Hometown: Eagle Rock, Los Angeles
What do you do for fun? Run! I also enjoy playing golf.
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): It’s not really a secret, but I play the guitar. I was in a band in college.
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? The Pacers are a wonderful community and I’m glad to be a part of it!
Name: Simeon Waldron
Which group do you run with? 8 minute milers
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? Just under 4 years
How many marathons have you run? 13
Why do you run? To keep fit and healthy. It is my form of meditation and keeps me sane in life. I tend to like to get focused on goals and this is a nice, healthy one to focus on. I also love running to explore new areas and when on holiday to get to know the area. I was on a recent family vacation in Alaska and got to explore Denali and came across a moose a little too close for comfort in Anchorage :). You tend to see some great sights / scenery and discover areas you would miss if you did not run. Lastly, you meet some great people when you run; be it at a race, your running club and also like the runners wave / nod you give as you pass others on your run
Favorite post run snack/meal? Anything I can get my hands on, but if in the evening, I have a severe weak spot for pizza and an IPA beer
Running Mantra: Just keep going, one foot in front of the other
Occupation: Chief Financial Officer of a cruise company
Hometown: Glendale
What do you do for fun? Outside of running, I like to spend time with the family and our golden doodle, travel, watch soccer, or, as I call it, football 🙂 (UK Premiership – my team is Crystal Palace) and now and again, play golf (but with a high handicap)
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): Up until recently, I used to do Karate and got to Black Belt level. I stopped as did not want to get injured for running but may return in the future 🙂
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? I am originally from the UK (hence the accent) and used to be part of a running club called Epsom Oddballs (yes a funny name) and we became US Citizens 3 years ago. I am currently chasing to complete the 6 Abbott’s World Majors and have completed 5 with the last Berlin Marathon. I then just need to qualify for Boston.