Club Navigators
Melanie pratt
Melanie’s first love is running. After having twins, the toll of running and taking care of two humans was tough on the body. Looking for a new challenge she found this in triathlon 8 years ago. Her girls can beat her in a 100 yard sprint, she’s still got an edge over them for a 5k though.
Favorite Race: Oakland Triathlon (Olympic).
Off-Day Activity: Hiking & exploring in nature.
Post-Race Drink or Meal: Beer and a burger.
What Draws You to Triathlons: The challenge of diversity of conquering 3 sports and the pure fun of racing.
Never Again Will I... Show up to a race without spare goggles, lost my goggles in the surf 10 mins before the Santa Cruz tri, randomly had a spare pair, now I will always carry a spare.
I Joined EBTC Because… What’s triathlon without community!
Raeleigh Harris
With more than 35 years immersed in endurance sport, Raeleigh brings a rare depth of experience as both an elite age-group competitor and a science-driven coach. She has raced in countless triathlons, duathlons, and endurance events worldwide, including seven IRONMAN® 70.3 World Championships—earning the Age Group World Champion title in 2016 and placing in the top 10 in five of the remaining six championships.
Raeleigh previously served as the Master Triathlon Coach for a leading global training app, where for six years she helped guide and refine the science-based, human-guided methodology behind its training plans. Her approach seamlessly integrates real-world racing experience with evidence-based coaching principles, shaped by decades of learning, teaching, and performance refinement.
She holds a degree in Sports Science and Human Movement from Ballarat University in Australia and is a USAT Level II Certified Coach. Throughout her career, Raeleigh has remained deeply committed to making high-quality, intelligent training accessible—empowering athletes not just to perform better, but to understand the process that gets them there.
Raeleigh believes that training for endurance sports is life-changing, but it is rarely linear. Life, in all its messiness, inevitably intervenes. It is in these moments that the coach–athlete relationship becomes critical—adjusting, adapting, and reshaping training to honor real life while still supporting long-term growth, resilience, and performance.
When asked what drives her work, Raeleigh shares:
“Everyone—whether preparing for their first race, training for lifelong health, navigating major life challenges, or striving for their absolute potential—deserves science-based training that educates and empowers. Endurance sport gives us more than finish lines; it teaches grit, resilience, and self-belief. The race measures success, but the journey reveals who we become.”
Bella Banbury
Bella Banbury (she/her) is an enthusiastic age-grouper. She participated in her first multisport event (duathlon) a decade ago when a workout buddy suggested it might be a fun thing to do (two days before the race with no training and a barely functioning hybrid bike) and never looked back. Bella has raced sprint, olympic and 70.3 distances. She raced Escape from Alcatraz twice, once without the swim (cancelled that year!) and multiple 5K, 10K and half marathon road and trail races. She trains early mornings, primarily in Alameda. Bella is a UK citizen living in the US for 20+ years, married to Stephen, Mum to Finn (19), Ava (16) and CEO of Emotive Brand.
Favorite Race: Escape from Alcatraz
Bucket List Race: Any race that is deemed safe this year. After that, just to race outside of the USA.
Off-Day Activity: What’s a day off? Just kidding. Walking my dog Gryff.
Proudest Triathlon Moment: Jumping off the boat to start my first Escape from Alcatraz triathlon.
Never Again Will I... Never say never.
Worst Race or Training Experience: Catching the Flu the week before what was supposed to be my first 70.3 (Santa Rosa). I cried so hard when I realized it just was not going to happen.
Personal Motto: Smiling makes everything better. Enjoy the journey.
scott KUCIREK
Scott Kucirek is an age grouper who started triathlons in 2022 after a decade plus doing CrossFit and years of long distance trail running culminating in a 50K in Folsom in 2022. After finishing his first triathlon (Santa Cruz Sprint in 2022), Scott completed three Olympic and 1 Sprint triathlons in 2023. Mediocre in all three disciplines, Scott enjoys training in all disciplines and improving with age. His race philosophy is "Have fun, don't get injured, and try to not finish last".
Favorite Race: Santa Cruz
Off-Day Activity: Baking cakes, pies and cookies and playing guitar.
Post-Race Drink or Meal: Tailwind recovery with a mix of UR protein powder and nuts.
What Draws You to Triathlons: Variety of training and the people.
Proudest Triathlon Moment: Completing the 2023 Santa Cruz Olympic tri in the best time of the year.
Never Again Will I... Not use a checklist to pack. I forgot my bike shoes for my first tri and had to drive an additional 60 miles in traffic.
I Joined EBTC Because: The people were welcoming, responded quickly to my inquiries and provided resources to improve.
Personal Motto: Gratitude in everything, tomorrow is not promised.
RODNEY MARTIN
Rodney is a self-described perpetual student of life, and one who's happy to have found community in recreational endurance sports. Taking only about 50 years to "find my tribe," and 10 years to unlearn 40 years of "getting in my own way," he's living proof that it's never too late to reinvent yourself.
Favorite Race: Death Valley Trail Half Marathon (two time overall winner in 2015 and 2016).
Off-Day Activity: Rehearsing with Peninsula Symphonic Band in Palo Alto.
Proudest Triathlon Moment: Finishing my first 70.3 in Santa Cruz crossing the finish line while airborne!
What Draws You to Triathlons: The challenge and the community.
Worst Race or Training Experience: Flat tire, followed by a mistake in transition leading me to run with sunglasses at night without an operable headlamp, and unintentionally crossing the finish line prematurely.
Target Races in 2024/2025: Redemption tour back to IM CA in 2024. Would love to try IM CdA, IM St. George, and ultimately IM Lake Placid.
Personal Motto: Challenge, service, and building the future.
jim o'brien
Jim O’Brien spent a couple of decades dreaming of doing some type of endurance sport and then finally, at 55 years young, decided to try triathlon. He had not run in 30 years and was freaked out by the 5 K run in a Sprint Triathlon, but his coach at the gym reminded him that he could just walk the 5 K! An epiphany ensued and he was off on the triathlon journey! He’s addicted now and has done Sprint, Olympic, Half and Full Ironman distances. Including three Sprints in Denmark. Married to Gitte (his spectacular triathlon crew chief!) and empty nester Dad to Emma and Claire.
Favorite Races: Santa Cruz Olympic, Oceanside Half IM and Sacramento Full IM
Never Again Will I... Not eat on the bike!
Proudest Triathlon Moment: Crossing the finish at his first Olympic after a brutal run in the heat at Folsom. Crossing the finish at my first full IM!
Off Day Activity: Freediving in Monterey and Mexico, and paddleboarding on the Bay.
Personal Motto: Say thank you to every volunteer along the race. It makes their day and keeps your good vibe up to finish.
Founder
Sharon Barclay
Sharon Barclay is a competitive age-grouper who became interested in triathlons growing up in Australia watching her father compete when the sport was in its infancy. After doing her first triathlon in the 1980s, running in Reebok high tops and riding a steel bike, she wandered off to do several other sports before returning to triathlon many years later. Since then, she's competed in over 50 triathlons and STILL learns something new every time she races. Sharon trains all over the Bay area and in her self-built "Hurt Locker", her small lockdown project that got a bit out of control.
Favorite Race: Wildflower
Bucket List Race: Challenge Roth
Off-Day Activity: Movies, movies, and more movies, punctuated every now and then with 80s new wave music
Post-Race Drink or Meal: Mexican coke followed by anything salty
Proudest Triathlon Moment: Representing the USA at the ITU World Championships in Australia
Never Again Will I... start a race without checking first to see if my brakes are rubbing.
Personal Motto: If you don't squeeze your glutes, no-one else will :-)
Club Supporters
jake g
greg matthews
greg matthews
On-water safety, paddleboarder extraordinaire, six-time Ironman finisher, sampler of open water swimming, wearer of kilts.
greg matthews
greg matthews
greg matthews
Swim coach, four-year All American swimmer for UC Davis, avid skier, reformed triathlete, B.S. in Exercise Physiology.
Ann mccormick
greg matthews
Ann mccormick
Social director extraordinaire, competitive age-grouper, creator of the "EBTC Power Muffin" - our go-to snack after big workouts and races.
Inger Beaird
Ann mccormick
Superstar volunteer coordinator, Idaho-native, best team cheerleader, proudly raced with Apolo Ohno at Boise 70.3, albeit at a different pace.
betsy abel
Strength and conditioning coach, sports massage therapist, collegiate rugby player, head massage therapist for the Rugby World Cup 7s.
CAMILLE GOMEZ
SWIM. BIKE. ULTRA. Ultra runner, aspiring Western States finisher, long course triathlete, designer, and photographer.
steve ashbaker
steve ashbaker
steve ashbaker
Race director, certified USAT official, Olympic and 70.3 triathlete, beer drinker, all around "mayor" of the local racing scene.