Jan, Ben, and Grace
Ben Chulaluxiriboon, Pasadena Pacers President
Previously a Pace Leader for the 12 minute pace group, Ben brings his enthusiasm, energy, and encouragement for his fellow Pacers to his new role as President. Learn more about the man behind the Saturday morning announcements below, and feel free to say hello to him at our next group run!
Name: Ben Chulaluxsiriboon
Which group do you run with? Team 12 Represent!
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? Since 2018. I started with Team 13 for the 2018-2019 LA Marathon training season. VP & Coach Jan was my Pace Leader.
How many marathons have you run? 5 marathons, including the Authentic Marathon from the city of Marathon to Athens, Greece.
Why do you run? VP & Coach Jan reeled me into joining a Saturday training run with the promise of hatching lots of 2KM Pokemon Go eggs. He definitely exceeded on this promise! Up until that point, I didn’t believe that I could be an athlete, or even contemplate an intense physical and mental challenge like completing a marathon. VP & Coach Grace was there for me each step of that first training season. She and our teammate, Lucinda walked with me when my IT band flared up. She exuded the Pacer Love that each of you are best known for. Today, I run with you, and celebrate your and our accomplishments.
Favorite post run snack/meal? A warm and crispy McDonald’s hash brown and an ice cold Diet Coke… it’s a tradition for the Chu fam. (Or French fries if we finish our run after 10:30am.)
Running Mantra: “Endeavor to raise the health and spirits of our community and humankind, that is the Pacer Way” – Dr. Steven Smith, Pacer Nation Co-Founder
Occupation: Recruiting for a SaaS Audit & Risk company
Hometown: Pasadena, CA
What do you do for fun? Talk, eat, and travel. I definitely have trouble moderating the first two!
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): I love storytelling and enjoy helping others to share their personal and professional stories.
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? I am grateful for our running community. You bless me and my family more than you know. There will be challenging days ahead, lean on us and there will be days when we will need somebody to lean on. Our Team 12 buddies, Darran and Terry, literally carried me over an LA Marathon finish line.
Grace Huang, Vice President
Grace has served as a Pace Leader for the 13 minute pace group for the past 2 seasons, and is returning for a third season as Pace Leader. Always ready with a plan, and the determination and focus to get things done, Grace brings the same energy to her new role as one of the new Pasadena Pacers Vice Presidents.
Name: Grace Huang
Which group do you run with? Team 13
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? Since 2017, always with Team 13.
How many marathons have you run? Six marathons
Why do you run? It started as a way to get in shape, and it still is, but I’ve also found it to be great for mental health and me time.
Favorite post run snack/ meal? Cold watermelon and a breakfast burrito, but I only treat myself to those after a really really long run.
Running Mantra: I can’t say I have one.
Occupation: Marketing
Hometown: Pasadena, CA
What do you do for fun? Cooking, wine tasting, and hoping to get back to travelling again.
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): I am able to kill any houseplant; my power has no end!
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? I never imagined I would ever run a marathon, but with the encouragement of fellow Pacers I have and hope we inspire others to great achievements!
Jan Zari, Vice President
Jan has served as a Pace Leader for the past 4 LA Marathon training seasons and has been a member of the Pasadena Pacers since 2014. His unique coaching and leadership style has helped many runners accomplish their goals of finishing a marathon, and he is adept at running 20 miles with an umbrella in hand.
Name: Jan Zari
Which group do you run with? I love running with Team 14! We truly are the party in the back.
How long have you been with the Pasadena Pacers? Since 2014! I have trained with Teams 12, 13, and 14. I was a Pace Leader for Team 13 for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 training seasons and I have been a Pace Leader for Team 14 for the 2020-2021 and the 2021-2022 training seasons.
How many marathons have you run? Eleven – Nine LAMs, the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World, the Long Beach Marathon, and dozens of half marathons! My favorite race distance, however, is the 5K!
Why do you run? For my own physical and mental health. There are also fewer things in life that feel as rewarding as crossing the finish line at a race! Also, because I like to eat French fries.
Favorite post run snack/ meal? All. The. Carbs. Especially French fries. Also noodles. And an ice cold Diet Coke. Truly nothing better!
Running Mantra: Running has taught me that I can make the impossible possible.
Occupation: I am a Management Analyst in the federal government.
Hometown: Alhambra, CA
What do you do for fun? Nap, go on food adventures, binge Netflix shows, Peloton biking, travel, and dream about travel!
Do you have a secret talent? (Please share): I can fall asleep pretty much anywhere! I would call that a pretty useful talent!
Anything else you’d like your fellow Pacers to know? Interval running has changed my life! Give it a try, and surprise yourself, even if you are only able to run for 15 seconds at a time.