Dear Northwest Trail Runs, Street Scramble, and MerGeo Nav Races staff and volunteers,

I have been offered the opportunity to rebuild the tropical fish company that I spent 25+ years making a success.  I could not turn down this challenge to do what I love.

As a result, I will be stepping away from my role as Operations & Event Director with MerGeo.  My time with Eric, Gretchen, Patrick, and the rest of the crew has been awesome.  The runners, scramblers and orienteers have all welcomed me into their communities with open arms.  Indeed, you all have become part of my family!

So, it is with more than a little sadness that I pass the hat, if not the frog, to Kati Leigh.  Kati comes to us from Brooks and the Seattle Running Club.  She is deeply committed to the running community and to my mission to put on the best running and navigation parties ever!  I hope that you all welcome her with the same warmth and love you have shown me these past five years.

I will miss all of you, and I will pop in now and then to say hi.  I will also continue to direct our Run with the Kokanee, where my journey with MerGeo began.  Just another excuse to sign up!

With Fondest Regards,
Mark

(Photo courtesy of Takao Suzuki)