Club Leadership

Elise joined the DCTri club’s NTP (new triathlete program) in 2019, during a massive life transition involving 1) an unexpected divorce, 2) return to USA after 10+ years abroad and 3) a dramatic career shift – you might call it a “tri” life transition! Swimming, biking and running with fellow new triathletes kept her physically, mentally and emotionally fit during that difficult time in a brand new city. Elise is a dedicated Sprint and Olympic distance racer, though she considers herself an “ally” to those who go for the longer half- and iron- distances. Elise identifies as an intersectional feminist and believes in the importance of a diverse and inclusive club culture, especially wanting to see and support the triathlon journeys of individuals from historically underrepresented groups.

When not training, Elise works in AP Automation at AMEX, plays keyboard / sings in local bands, and thoroughly enjoys cooking, hanging in hammocks and traveling.

David has been a member of the club since 2014 when he joined the New Triathlete Program and was hooked. Back then, he was not a swimmer so the swim for a sprint was rather intimidating and he was glad to survive his first race at Blackbear Triathlon. Thanks to the DC Tri Club’s Masters Swim Program (sadly no more) he was able to improve and gradually work his way up to longer distances. He can often be found roaming the hills of Rock Creek Park either on foot or by bike. The club has been such a welcoming community that he hopes to give back to the club by serving on the board.

A latecomer to triathlon and running, Patrick joined DC Tri after his first triathlon – the SavageMan half-iron distance race at Deep Creek Lake. From there he followed his taste for long-distance racing and went on to ChesapeakeMan (training via the inaugural DC Tri IM program) and Ironman Maryland, St. George, Lake Placid and Coeur d’Alene. He’s completed the Boston marathon and enjoys trying new things – like the Gettysburg to D.C. relay and Garrett County Gran Fondo Diabolical Double. Patrick subscribes to the N+1 philosophy – that there’s always room for one more bike. Currently appreciating the Off Season Spin program and trying to get back into form for a good 2026 season.

Jette joined DC Tri in 2024 as part of the New Triathlete Program, when she was looking for something fully her own. While she loves being a mom, she also knew she needed space that wasn’t defined solely by that role. Triathlon became that outlet. After completing the Colonial Beach Olympic distance as her goal race, she was fully hooked.

Since then, the sport has continued to stretch and shape her. As part of the Advance Distance Program, she was racing Musselman 70.3 in 2025 (the swim!), which was such a fantastic experience. The best part, though, is the community she has found with the DC Tri Club. Outside of triathlon, she enjoys time with her family and planning the next adventure: you can count on her to instigate signing up for the next race.

Mariama was introduced to the great sport of triathlon when she joined DC Tri Club as part of the 2023 New Triathlete Program cohort. Inspired by the warm welcome she received, she is passionate about contributing to a club culture where everyone feels welcome. Please reach out if you have ideas about how to make the club more inclusive, or if you just want to share your experience of the club community.

Andrew joined DC Tri Club in 2023 after a few years of triathlon hiatus following his move to DC in late 2019. His journey to triathlon began in 2006 when he witnessed his first triathlon–Ironman Wisconsin–in his hometown of Madison, WI during the midst of his recovery from a severe accident. Inspired by the triathletes that day, he decided to motivate his recovery by making a commitment to one day become an Ironman. After his full recovery, he spent the next several years building his endurance running, biking, and swimming abilities (which included buying a bike and learning how to swim). He crossed the finish line of Ironman Wisconsin 2017, a race he would finish again in 2023 and 2025. Andrew loves racing all distances of triathlon and is a firm believer that it’s just as much about the journey of training (and community of the sport) as it is about the destination of a finish line. And yes, he will try to convince you to sign up for Ironman Wisconsin.

Jeanna joined DC Tri Club with her husband in 2024 after moving back to Washington, DC from Nairobi, Kenya. Looking for a new and exciting community after doing CrossFit and weightlifting for a number of years, she was incredibly nervous about swimming in open water and learning how to change a flat on her bike, in particular. One race in, she was hooked — and promptly signed up for four more, including 70.3 Musselman and 70.3 North Carolina, all in her first year. (Jeanna is very easily convinced by her friends to sign up for just one more race.)

When not training, you can find Jeanna reading, traveling, exploring DC with friends or making something tasty to fuel her long bike rides. Jeanna works in policy communications and lives on Capitol Hill with her husband and her cat, Olivia.

She’s now training for her first full Ironman at Lake Placid.

Marc came to triathlon after many years racing bikes at the collegiate and club level. Marc recently competed at the World Championships in Spain as part of the age-group World Triathlon qualifier. He is also a USA Cycling certified coach, Lifetime Fitness instructor, and DCTri Online Spin Program coach. He ranks in the top five 50 plus triathletes in Maryland. He has been with DCTri for five years and discovered the team during a random camping experience in Jamestown, VA. Marc loves to see athletes succeed in their goals and specializes in a holistic approach to coaching, which includes nutrition, mental preparedness, and focused training. He can often be found at races running the mechanics tent.

Juene moved to DC in 2018 and immediately fell in love with the area and the local races. After running her first half and full marathon, she was introduced to triathlons and joined the club through the DC TRI NTP program in 2019. Truly enjoying the sport, and even more importantly, the people she met, she signed up for several 2020 races and then spent 2021 trying to complete them. She concluded 2021 by completing the Maine 70.3 and Waterman Olympic/Sprint double and has since completed a full Ironman.

She was a regular at the NOVA Track works out (we will see how 2025 workout), and Happy Hours. She is eager to continue supporting the club as a member of the Board.

Derek stumbled into triathlon after a few years of marathon training and running through the mountains of British Columbia. Always looking for next challenge, after his first 50k trail race in 2019 he decided to finally learn how to swim…starting with an Adult 101 course. A year later he finished his first sprint race and has been on his triathlon journey ever since. Derek moved to DC in 2021 and joined the club soon after. He’s most experienced and strongest in middle distance. Derek loves the lessons from and emotions experienced in endurance sports. He is grateful to be able to support others achieve what they want out of triathlon.

Zander’s introduction to triathlon began when he was a young child, watching his father’s races. Back then, triathlon was all about searching for minnows and crawdads near the swim start. Age group swimming, water polo, and then kayaking sustained Zander’s love for playing in the water until he competed in his first triathlon. Open water swimming is now where he finds the marriage of weightlessness and meditative state. A blissful adventure mapped out by buoys. Zander has a lot yet to learn about biking and running. He welcomes your good ideas and is excited about helping club members find their happiness through tri-sport racing. In his role as Director of Training, Zander wants to create opportunities for everyone to find their stride in the water, on their bike and while running. He believes that triathlon training offers a journey with far-reaching benefits. And you might just find a crawdad along the way!

Justine joined DC Tri in 2024 through the New Triathlete Program (NTP). She grew up as a competitive swimmer, picked up road cycling in college, and turned herself into someone who doesn’t hate running via a Couch to 5K program in late 2023, making doing all three sports consecutively the obvious next step. Fear of open water swimming (and other life excuses) kept her from pursuing triathlon for several years, but after conquering that fear through NTP, she fully embraced the endurance athlete lifestyle and hasn’t looked back. In 2025, she completed her first Ironman 70.3 through the club’s Half Ironman Program and continues to experience the joy of leveling up her swim, bike, and run one training block at a time.

As Director of Volunteers, Justine hopes to encourage club members to help others experience the physical, mental, and social benefits she’s found as part of the DC Tri community. Outside of triathlon, she works in health policy and spends whatever free time she has outside of training reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants around the DMV.