Paul Shippy
He gets bored easily and is often off in random directions.
He’s passionate about many great things, one of them being building community and helping people connect and thrive. Beneath the veil of ridiculousness lies a depth of introspection, philosophy, and a genuine curiosity about all the weird and wonderful things in this world.
Shari is Snake Hill’s ultimate fan— from elementary cross-country days to watching her kids lovingly dread their high school runs there.
She returned to Sundre in 2003, drawn back by Snake Hill and the west country, and is thrilled for the Backyard Ultra—where everyone gets to enjoy the trails… over and over again.
Have fun!
Shari Leedahl
Janelle Mikal
Janelle is a mom born and raised in Sundre, Alberta. She’s excited to help bring a Backyard Ultra to her hometown and support the local running community. With a busy family life and training schedule, she contributes where she can. She’ll be running the Calgary Marathon (May 24th, 2026) the Sunday before the race, so may be moving a bit slower on event day!
Fueled by early morning runs and strong coffee, she balances mountain adventures with horror movie nights . She loves backpacking, snowboarding (yep, even in “summer” ), and capturing moments through photos and video. On the volleyball court, expect dramatic dives —and when it comes to food, if it’s not moving, she’s in! 🍕
Maila Leoncito
Meet the Team Behind the Miles
It takes a village (and maybe a few cups of coffee ☕😉) to bring the Sundre Backyard Ultra to life—and we couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to the amazing humans behind it all!
From trail lovers and early-morning planners to last-minute problem solvers and hype squads, our team is made up of passionate folks who believe in community, connection, and a little bit of muddy fun along the way. 🏃♀️🌲
We’re not just organizers—we’re cheerleaders, volunteers, snack providers, and sometimes even unofficial therapists when the miles get tough. Most of all, we’re a group of people who love seeing others challenge themselves, laugh through the chaos, and cross that finish line (again… and again… and again!).
So go ahead—scroll down, meet the crew, and don’t be shy to say hi when you see us at the event. We’re always up for a chat, a high-five, or a good trail story!
Let’s make some unforgettable miles together 💚