Injinji is proud to welcome the new faces of Team Injinji 2026–2027: a passionate, hardworking group of athletes and community leaders who embody the spirit of adventure both on and off the trail. From road runners and ultrarunners to hikers, mountaineers, snow sport athletes and bikers, this year’s hand-selected roster represents a diverse mix of disciplines, backgrounds and experiences. They push our performance socks to the limit every day, providing invaluable real-world feedback while inspiring the communities around them. Beyond their athletic accomplishments, these individuals are parents, run club leaders, physical therapists, engineers, smokejumpers and more, proving that passion for movement and community can thrive alongside everyday life.
To help you get to know them a little better, we asked them all a few fun questions. Because behind every big effort is a personality, story and maybe a few surprises!
What's one goal you're most excited about chasing this season?
Tara Dower: I want to push my limits and push beyond my own perceived boundaries in races. I am extremely inspired by my fellow female competitors. I learn from them at every race and want to apply similar mindset techniques to my races.
Mike Wardian: Running 2,650 Miles southbound on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Parker Farabee: Running my first 50-miler in 10 years! (Dropped down from the 100-mile distance due to schedule issues).
Noah Dusseau: I’m looking forward to having another shot at a golden ticket to Western States 100. I have had several attempts in the past and hope to keep improving in the future!
Paul Ganelin: My A-goal I look forward to the most this year is beating my 70.3 Ironman time.
Jake Walsh: I’m most excited for the Midstate Massive 100-mile race in October. This epic course starts in New Hampshire and ends in Rhode Island, crossing the entire state of Massachusetts. While it will be my first 100-mile race, I’m not just aiming to finish, I’m training to perform. My goal is to place in the top 10% of the field, which, based on past results, means targeting a sub-23:30 finish.
Aimee Warnke: Triple Crown of 200s!
Antoine Haugabook: My A goal this season is the West Line Winder 30K in Buena Vista, Colorado, this September, the goal race of Camp We Run Long. I was selected as part of the 2026 cohort, joining 17 other BIPOC trail runners from across the country for five days of trail running on Indigenous lands, capped by the 30K. After years of running on the road and only recently transitioning to the trails, getting to show up for this experience at altitude alongside others who share both the love of the sport and the commitment to expanding who belongs on trails is everything I'm working toward this year.
Tyler Juza: Win Kodiak 100 miler or top 10 for automatic 2027 UTMB entry.
Sarah June: I want to be the first female to run the 864-mile Ring Road around Iceland.
Jonathan Ladson: Going sub 2:20 in the marathon.
Allison Wiedman: Exploring trail running.
Emma Palmer: I am most excited to chase top 10 at the Kodiak 100 mile! The course is absolutely beautiful and challenging. Earning auto-registration to UTMB is the primary dream I've pursued since I began trail running.
Jose Sosa: All roads lead to Barkley.
Carver Culbek: This season I’m hoping to continue the progression of foot powered snowboarding in my hometown. One piece of that puzzle is a freeride traverse from my front door to Glacier Bay, and back. This will involve crossing the fjord, gaining the glacier, navigating crevasses and volatile weather, all while trying to ride big mountain lines in good style.
Lauren Puretz: Redemption at Western States Endurance Run!
Shawn Ernst: I'm really excited to chase a sub-24-hour finish at the Kettle Moraine 100.
Yi Schuler: This season, I’m focused on the Sedona Canyons 125 and a couple of other ultra events, part of a larger journey exploring endurance from ultras to the world’s highest peaks.
Kylie Yang: I'm most excited to get into the San Juans and hike a long Colorado Trail section!
Mike McKnight: Going after the overall record of the Grand Slam of 200s as well as the Triple Crown of 200s, while participating in the Cocodona 250 and Hardrock 100.
Sophie McDonald: Podium at an UTMB World Series Event to win an automatic entry to UTMB Mont Blanc.
Kelsey McGill: I’m attempting the Grand Slam this year (i.e. Cocodona, Tahoe, Bigfoot, Moab)!
Tasha Swartley: Attempting my first Hyrox event.
Daisy Martinez: My main goal this year is to finish my first 100-mile race, mainly to get a Hardrock 100 qualifier to start my journey to Hardrock 100.
Rae Cramer: I'm most looking forward to return to Manning Park, BC to race Fatdog again - trying for a PB in the 100k distance!
Angie Kemp: Getting a personal best at Javelina Jundred in the fall!
Tami Frandrei: My wildest goal this year is to hike in 10 different countries for 2026.
Holly Proulx: I am so excited to do a more runnable 100 (Cascade Crest 100) which is also my first Hardrock qualifier! I have only ever done the Ouray 100, which has 43,000 ft of elevation gain and is quite not-runnable on the uphills. I find pushing for a long time to be pretty feasible, but running uphill for a long time to be less feasible, so this is a whole new kind of challenge for me. I am just excited to put myself out there and try something that comes slightly less naturally to me.
Tara Warren: I wanna do big things at UTMB! And I want to be the loudest voice in the room helping 10 women finish their first hundred-mile distance.
Robert Berry: Cocodona 250. Last year, due to crazy bad luck, I somehow got cellulitis and had to drop at mile 150. I'm so focused on returning and getting a solid finish at Cocodona.
Andre Lee: Mogollon Monster 100M is my “A” goal this year.
Adam Williams: Focusing on big, VERTY races! Returning to Cocodona for the 1,000 mile buckle milestone. The Mighty Gallatin will offer a challenge few have achieved, while letting me tackle one of the world's toughest objects in Tor des Géants. Closing the season with a tour of the San Diego region!
What's one thing that instantly puts you in a good mood?
Tara Dower: Good food with good friends puts me in an instantly good mood!
Mike Wardian: Running shirt off with our vizsla, Bash.
Parker Farabee: Running with my dogs and candy, sometimes both at the same time.
Noah Dusseau: Ice Cream.
Paul Ganelin: My 12-year-old husky having a good day. He is struggling in his older age, and he is the reason my fitness took off 12 years ago on the trails and mountains. Today a slow walk on the trail might be his biggest day, when it used to be summiting San Gorgonio in under 3 hours or summiting Mt. Whitney in one day in the winter.
Jake Walsh: Fresh sourdough bread from the local bakery. It’s the way I start every day and I’m almost always in a good mood, so it must be working!
Aimee Warnke: Running on trails.
Antoine Haugabook: A solid recovery session after a run. A good massage, a good meal, and feeling like I earned both.
Tyler Juza: My boy Blue! (He's my dog, but more like a son.)
Sarah June: An ice-cold energy drink.
Jonathan Ladson: A run.
Allison Wiedman: Sunshine and a good night's sleep.
Emma Palmer: A big bowl of pho, a plate of chilaquiles, or a double serving of garlic naan and chana masala. Living in a multicultural city makes my foodie heart very happy!
Jose Sosa: In ‘n out.
Carver Culbek: Air time! Whether it’s paragliding, snowboarding, or running waterfalls in a kayak, getting in the air always improves my day.
Lauren Puretz: Running with friends in the sunshine.
Shawn Ernst: Completing a long run!
Yi Schuler: Out for a trail run.
Kylie Yang: Riding my bike at sunset on a warm day.
Mike McKnight: Hearing a Backstreet Boys song.
Sophie McDonald: Coming home to our dog, Suki.
Kelsey McGill: DISCO EDM.
Tasha Swartley: Snuggling with my dog Athena and cat Hermes.
Daisy Martinez: Putting together puzzles and ice cream.
Rae Cramer: Horses! I don't get loads of time around horses anymore but there's no way I could retain a bad mood if I had one around.
Angie Kemp: A great cup of coffee!
Tami Frandrei: I love to cook for my friends and family!
Holly Proulx: DOGSSSSS. So cliche but it's true. If I am having a bad day but have the opportunity to pet a dog, I leave with a smile. :)
Tara Warren: Warm sun and movement.
Robert Berry: My morning eggs: 4 white/2 whole fried. Yum!
Andre Lee: Good music.
Adam Williams: Without a doubt the right music will always turn things up. Float On by Modest Mouse will always be a go to!
When it comes to rest days, what's your guilty pleasure?
Tara Dower: My guilty pleasure is putting on regular casual clothes first thing in the morning instead of running clothes. Sometimes I even take a shower.
Mike Wardian: I love lying in bed playing chess till 3am.
Parker Farabee: Eating peanut butter from the jar and watching Bob's Burgers.
Noah Dusseau: Little Caesar’s Pizza.
Paul Ganelin: Rest days are always filled with a day outside no matter what, and a burger is a must with good company!
Jake Walsh: My wife and I love going on mini adventures around town to treat our shared guilty pleasures of ice cream, baked goods, and BBQ! We will walk, run, ride our bikes, or take a short road trip to try new places, and will often return to our favorites to work through different menu options.
Aimee Warnke: Pizza!
Antoine Haugabook: Sleeeeeep.
Tyler Juza: Any dessert (ice cream, cookies). I’m an ultra guy so I can eat!
Sarah June: Netflix marathons.
Jonathan Ladson: Sneaking in a run.
Allison Wiedman: Sleeping a little longer!
Emma Palmer: A dip into the ocean is my favorite version of a cold plunge. Laying in the sun is my favorite heat training. I'll also never say no to a cinnamon roll!
Jose Sosa: Netflix.
Carver Culbek: Definitely my toe spreaders.
Lauren Puretz: Running. :)
Shawn Ernst: Cheeseburgers and donuts to fuel up for the week ahead!
Yi Schuler: Sunbathing with a giant ice cream cone over a fun read.
Kylie Yang: Binge watching a reality tv show.
Mike McKnight: Not resting.
Sophie McDonald: Reading a good book!
Kelsey McGill: Being horizontal is my next favorite thing to running. :)
Tasha Swartley: Long walks on the trails or a swim in the pool.
Daisy Martinez: Going to the movie theater to watch a good movie.
Rae Cramer: I'm a crazy reader, if I had nothing to stop me (laziness guilt usually does) I could sit on my porch and read a book for an entire day and be so stoked about it.
Angie Kemp: Floating in my pool or reading a good book!
Tami Frandrei: I sleep in and meet a friend for coffee or brunch at one our many amazing restaurants in my city!
Holly Proulx: I think they're called poorman's nachos? Putting tortilla chips with shredded cheese in the microwave, lol.
Tara Warren: Brown sugar cinnamon latte with extra cinnamon and a cozy blanket.
Robert Berry: The Hallmark Channel.
Andre Lee: Ice cream.
Adam Williams: Often my rest days are forced... either right after a big event, or with a packed calendar, the weekly "rest" day for me is more of a lower activity, maybe more yoga, golf, or hiking focused instead of intentional training. But I'll still get a little movement in!
Injinji is proud to support this incredible group of athletes as they pursue their goals this year! Stay tuned for more stories from Team Injinji.
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