Staff Spotlight Jen LaFreniere and Karen Alexander
Choose which answer belongs to Jen, Karen (plus Jen and Karen answering as Travis, Chatgpt)
Age: like fine wine
Weekday jobs: Nanny + Bishop’s Admin, SAHM + Bishop’s Admin
When did you start working for Bishop’s Events? What about being event staff appeals to you?
A. 2011, first and best employee!
B. August 2022-ish. I love having such a wide variety of jobs available at every race. I love getting to work outside in nature. I love how many sunrises I have gotten to see over the last 2.5 years. I love cheering for people & seeing how happy that makes them. I love seeing the camaraderie of the runners as well as the staff members.
C. I actually don’t work for Bishop’s Events. Travis kidnapped me six years ago when he was short-staffed, and I am still trying to figure out how to escape.
D. December 31, 2022. Favorite things are being out in nature, exploring local parks + the good mood I’m in after cheering for runners and seeing them reach their goals.
How many events a year do you typically work?
A. So many. Too many. A lot. (Those are the answers my husband would give). Every-ish weekend, unless family plans trump Bishop’s races. Usually both days, sometimes 3, 4, or 5 races in a weekend for long weekends. I don’t think I can count high enough to count the number I work in a year. I prefer to be oblivious about the actual number.
B. A lot. Usually one or two both weekend days, but I’ve never actually counted.
C. Kings do not work. They rule from on high.
D. One. Usually the Full Marathon in December.
What is your favorite race memory or funniest story from a race?
A. Running a race dressed as a bull. Anyone who beat me across the finish line would get a promo code. I got to the finish line first but stopped before crossing to let a bunch of runners past. I still have the bull costume and would definitely put it on again if enough people ask me to… *cough, cough*
B. One of my favorite race memories was at the Leesylvania Burrito Day race. I was working registration alone and John Winn came over to keep me company while Maryellen was running. We started picking up litter and throwing it away in the trash cans, but a crow kept swooping down to the snack boxes I had put out. It was stealing Oreos and Cheez-Its, ripping open the packages, and leaving more trash around the area John and I had just cleaned up.
C. Getting asked to time a clothing optional race in southern Virginia.
D. We were having a race down @ Fletcher’s Boathouse this past summer and it was sooooo hot. I mean we have doubled, tripled, quadrupled the number of water stations. Encouraged people to slow their paces & take it easy. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The race has started. And a guy & a bunch of his buddies show up late & the one guy is going to run the 5k in an inflatable dinosaur costume. Apparently he lost a bet? Watching Travis trying to talk this guy out of running in this crazy hot costume in the summer heat was priceless. No luck – this guys is paying up his bet. The guy runs across the bridge out of Fletcher’s, turns right, runs about 20 yards & strips out of the dino costume & keeps running.
What is something we would be surprised to learn about you? Hidden talents? Hobbies?
A. Before I had kids, I was a cake decorator for a little bakery in Wyoming.
B. Did you guys know I coach football?
C. I don’t know if it’s a hidden talent or not, but I can catch almost any Pokemon. I’ve pretty much caught them all.
D. I’m head chef for the White House.
What is your favorite Bishop’s course and why?
A. Any sippin series race, because free beer (sorry, hard-earned beer:) Oh & pretty views, and good company. Also anything with a river or lake view. Just throw me in the woods or somewhere along a waterway & I’m pretty much a happy camper. Though that new Lighthouse Lookout course in Maryland was FIRE!
B. Rock Creek because I used to have the second fastest course time there.
C. I love running along the Rappahannock at Old Mill, and the views at Shenandoah River State Park and Merrie Mill Farm.
D. Georgetown. The C & O Canal is predictable and flat. Unicorn course.
If you have a weekend off from working a Bishop’s event, what are you doing?
A. If I’m not at a race or doing admin work on a weekend, you might find me canoeing / hiking with my family or meeting up with girlfriends for coffee.
B. If I am feeling more social, I’d likely try something spontaneous, like eating out at a Chipotle restaurant instead of ordering Chipotle DoorDash.
C. Wait, are we allowed to have weekends off from Bishop’s events? AFTER I am done working whatever Bishop’s events I worked for the day, I like to have coffee dates with my SO or a friend, go hiking, travel with the fam, plan my next vacation, or visit my children.
D. I haven’t had a weekend off in 13 years.
How has being involved in the running community changed your life?
A. Many people who get into running often describe it as life-changing in multiple ways. For starters, running can foster a sense of discipline and resilience, as training for races requires commitment, consistency, and pushing through physical and mental barriers. Over time, this discipline might extend beyond running into other areas of life, like work or personal goals. Being part of the running community can also provide a sense of camaraderie. Whether you’re training together, sharing race day stories, or just cheering each other on, it’s a unique bond. It’s not just about the physical aspect of running, but about feeling supported and connected, which can create lasting friendships.
B. I used to run track in high school (not well), and used to love getting lost in my head for miles and miles back before GPS watches were a thing. I picked running up again shortly before I started working for Bishop’s Events, lost some pregnancy weight, and gained a ton of new friends. Running keeps me healthy physically and emotionally!
C. It’s how I make my millions $$$
D. This is a really deep question for this early in the morning. I always thought that running was a solo sport until I started working for Bishop’s, and now I realize how much we all need each other to cross the finish line. There is something really lovely about being at the finish line cheering for ALL of the runners, especially the last ones. That’s when you can see that we’re all on the same team wanting the same thing.
Favorite race snack table food? Favorite meal / coffee order / beverage / dessert?
A. Peanut butter crackers / pizza / coffee with cream and sugar / beer – porters / chocolate
B. Froot Loops, Grandma’s cookies from the snack table. Pizza, burgers, beer, the simple things in life. I keep my coffee simple – Americano, splash of creamer, no sugar. Or my daily fresh ground pour over coffee that waits for me every morning on my desk by my computer – thanks to my very patient husband 🙂
C. Froot Loops and AppleJacks / burritos and wings / Mountain Dew / cookie cakes
D. bananas, pretzels, and granola bars / rice bowl with lean protein and vegetables / oat milk latte / a small, rich chocolate cake
Favorite parts of an event or things you look forward to at an event?
A. Spending time with my besties.
B. Seeing all the regular runners to catch up on what new events and distances they are planning to tackle.
C. Setting up the courses, especially if I get to hike next to water or ride on an ATV / truck bed. My favorite events are when a new course record is achieved.
D. Anytime I get to ride in the back of a pickup truck & throw cones off the back to “set up a course”. But the diversity of the job is the best part. Sometimes I get to talk to everyone @ registration, and sometimes I get to be all alone in the woods. What will tomorrow’s race bring? I don’t know, because every day is different.
Favorite non-Bishop event to run / favorite non-running athletic activity / favorite sports team?
A. Petersburg Half Marathon / football / L.A. Rams
B. Across the Bay 10k – just go & do it! Also, End of the Road 4 miler – 1 mile each way through an old abandoned tunnel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Yes please. Exploring trails, local & otherwise. Finding new coffee shops & coffee dates with my husband. If you need a coffee shop recommendation anywhere in NoVA, just ask 🙂
C. tennis or rock climbing / Barcelona FC
D. Sheetz to Sheetz and the Detroit International Half Marathon / canoeing, cycling / Detroit Tigers and Michigan State