About GO! St. Louis®

GO! St. Louis®, a non-profit organization, encourages individuals and families in the region to adopt a healthy lifestyle by getting fit, staying active, and eating a nutritional diet year round. The organization accomplishes this through school based programming, outreach to senior/retirement centers, community collaborations and the creation of new & unique fitness opportunities.

The GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend in April each year continues to be our signature event, attracting over 18,000 participants from 46 states and eight countries in 2008.

The GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon youth program, which debuted in 2001 continues to grow, with more than 3,000 students and 90 schools participating last year.

Key Facts about the organization:

• Organization was formed in 2000.
• Created the nation’s only Read, Right & Run Marathon in 2001.
  
• Introduced Half Marathon race in 2003.
• Organized and hosted the 2003 Women’s Marathon National Championship
• Organized and hosted the 2004 US Olympic Trials – Women’s Marathon
• Introduced “Mature Mile”: 2005
• Introduced “Battle of the Badges Marathon Relay”: 2006
• Expanded mission and changed name from Spirit of St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend to GO! St. Louis, September 2007.
• Introduced GO! St. Louis Mile-by-Mile Marathon in 2007
  

Meet the Staff

Nancy Lieberman
President
Nancy is president and founder of GO! St. Louis. Constantly “thinking outside the box” (a phrase heard quite often around the office), she has created two unique programs in the running industry – the Read, Right & Run Marathon® and the “Mature Mile.” Check out details of both on our website. When not encouraging others in their pursuit of fitness, watch for Nancy on the roads herself – she has completed six marathons and dozens of triathlons, including one Ironman. But perhaps the most fun she has running is with the young ladies of Girls, Inc. – she trains with them every week. Her favorite event to watch on T.V.? Ironman Hawaii – she says, "I am amazed with the unbelievable performances of the elite athletes, but I cheer for the everyday athlete, some of whom have overcome incredible obstacles to get to Kona."
E-mail Nancy at: nlieberman@gostlouis.org

Mike Cosgrove
Race Director
Mike, we like to say, is a renaissance man. He’s coached (softball, soccer, volleyball and basketball, to be exact), he’s taught (Physical Education in the Parkway School District), he’s directed (Outdoor and Physical Education for the same school district). Of course, he’s run marathons. And now, he’s directing one for you. And designing it, charting it, measuring it, managing it, recruiting volunteers to stand along it…we think he should also test it, but we can’t convince him yet. One thing you might not know about Mike, a long-time St. Louis resident – he says he’s “a member of Red Sox Nation, living in Cardinal land!”
E-mail Mike at: mcosgrove@gostlouis.org

Brian Lyons
Assistant Race Director
Brian grew up in southwest Missouri and went to High School in Purdy, MO (kudos if you know where that is!). His graduating class had only 24 students. He went on to run track and cross county for Missouri Southern State University where he was an All-American two times. His wife Margaret, also an All-American runner, was on the team and that is where they met. They are the proud parents of their daughter, Lilian, who was born in May 2006. They live in South City and you can typically find them training as a family (Lilian rides in the baby jogger!) in Forest Park and Tower Grove Park. When Brian isn't running, you can find him and his family spending time outdoors, camping and canoing.
E-mail Brian at: blyons@gostlouis.org

Jeff Trammel
Director of Marketing & Communications
Jeff joined the GO! St. Louis staff after spending the last four years with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and prior to that, speding 10 seasons with the St. Louis Blues (doing marketing, not playing hockey!). Jeff handles all of the marketing and communication initiatives for the organization. His fitness resume includes a four year track career (high hurdles, no distance) at Salem High School, in Salem, IL, followed by four years on the McKendree University’s soccer team. Jeff has completed one full marathon and 10-and-counting half marathons.
He resides in University City, enjoys old Pearl Jam and Creed tunes, and is a big University of Illinois fan.
E-mail Jeff at: jtrammel@gostlouis.org

Jen Tesmer
Registration & Website Management
Jen is our resident computer guru, registration specialist and catch-all person for just about any project that gets laid in front of her. She comes from a competitive running background that began her freshman year of high school when she didn't make the cheerleading squad. As it turns out, she found success in running all through high school, college and even now on the local road-racing circuit. When she's not running, Jen enjoys her weekly dance class, monthly book club and sewing projects that include making skirts out of old running t-shirts.
E-mail Jen at: jtesmer@gostlouis.org

Karen Lester
Health & Fitness Expo Coordinator
Karen’s operations run more smoothly than the best computer you could buy. It’s a good thing, too, because she won’t get near one! In Karen’s sixth year with GO! St. Louis, she will again assume responsibilities for the Health & Fitness Expo – a great job for Karen, who is always calm amidst a whirlwind of activity. The truth about Karen and technology is that she is, in fact, easing her way into the computer world, but always keeps a handwritten copy of everything. “Then,” she reminds us frequently, “as you all are searching frantically for lost computer files, I just pull my paper out of the folder and wait for you to come to me!”

Cathy Thurwachter
Mature Mile Coordinator
This is Cathy's second year as the Mature Mile Coordinator. Recently retired, Cathy enjoyed 30 years of teaching at Parkway North High School as a Physical Educator. Although she could have taught forever, she decided to retire and devote more time to her daughters Ali, 16 and Kristin, 11. oh....., and of course, her husband of 29 years, Rick! Cathy enjoys competing in triathlons and is an avid tennis player.  She loves her new role as the coordinator of the Mature Mile and feels motivating Senior Citizens to exercise is no different than working with teenagers.  They don't act any older, just have a few more wrinkles!