Coaches
Kori Jew
11-12 + 13-14 • Girls Head Coach
I grew up in Pennsylvania and have lived in Boulder for more than 30 years. I started running in high school, but competition gave me significant anxiety, so running was something I initially did just for myself. I began racing after moving to Colorado and finding my "people” in graduate school.
After more than 40 years of running, I have completed major marathons such as New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and also finished the Pikes Peak Ascent. I discovered trail racing during the pandemic and enjoyed races like the Moab Trail Half and the Golden Leaf Half. Currently, I love running half marathons with my daughter and my remaining running goal is to complete an ultramarathon in the Alps.
I love coaching because I enjoy helping kids push themselves and experience the confidence that comes from emerging stronger. Building connections with young athletes has been especially meaningful to me.
Kathryn Fluehr
11-12 + 13 -14 • Girls Assistant Coach
I am so excited to be helping with Boulder Mountain Warriors. I started running in middle school to get in shape for basketball, but soon found my passion was in cross country and track. In Florida, I was a multiple time state champion and record holder and went on to qualify for Footlocker Nationals with my twin sister during our junior and senior years.
I then competed at Princeton University and at the University of New Mexico as a graduate student, moving up in distances on the track and becoming increasingly appreciative of cross country's focus on the team.
Running is still a big part of my life. Nowadays, I love meeting friends in Boulder for sunrise track sessions, exploring new trails, running on the dirt roads north of town, and competing in road races throughout the country. Most of all, I’ve been grateful to find such a supportive community in the Boulder running scene and hope to help BMWs find the same!
Brian Ream
11-12 + 13-14 • Boys Head Coach
I’ve known Coach Melody for years, and am proud to have been with BMWs since 2019. My wealth of knowledge about training and racing are inspiring, and have led our boys well over the years. A mainstay in the Boulder running community for decades, I am happy that running has been such an important part of my life. I strive to create an environment for our Warriors to grow in, so they can also share in that as well.
I first started participating in organized running in 6th grade in Cleveland, Ohio. In high school, held the school record in the 3200m. I went on to run cross country at the Division I level in college at the University of Dayton. After graduating, I continued on as the assistant coach for men's cross country at UD.
Six years later, the mountains of Colorado came calling. Within a week I found myself working at Fleet Feet Sports, where I found an amazing group of people who would become running partners and friends, including Melody. I have long since found a career in my field (as a chemist in biotechnology), but 20 years later still maintain so many of those connections made at Fleet Feet and continue running with many of them.
My small claim to running fame is being the first American at the Berlin Marathon in 2005. My marathon PR of low 2:35 was set at the 2006 Chicago Marathon. I also love hiking the mountains (have climbed 33 14ers), skiing, snowshoeing (including snowshoe racing), SUP, etc.
Coach Melody’s philosophies around training and racing align with mine: the idea of making running a lifelong passion, not just about results today.
Humberto "Bear" Zelaya
11-12 + 13-14 • Boys Assistant Coach
Coach Bear has been with BMW for three years. His skill in providing running challenges for youth to fall in love with the sport of running -on a track, trail or XC course is a gift to all Warriors. BMW has been blessed to commission Coach Bear's artistic talents to create our home meet medals and end of season awards. He is a full time Art teacher in BVSD and school XC and Track coach. His skill in building deep and lasting inner confidence in his athletes is inspiring to witness, as well as the respect the boys grow for their multi-talented guide in the sport of running.
Bear has been running since high school and college, where he was a XC harrier, steeplechaser and distance man. He now can run everything from a mile on the track, to a 24 hour hill climb.
Melody Fairchild
9-10 • Girls Head Coach
The seeds for BMWs started right here in Boulder when director Melody Fairchild was a youth runner herself. She grew up running in the mountains west of town. At Boulder High, she competed in cross country and track, winning multiple state titles. In 1990, Melody became the fastest high school girl in the U.S. when she won a national cross country championship, setting a course record that still stands. On the track, Melody was the first American girl to break 10 minutes in the two-mile.
"I love guiding the 9-10 age group, as this is the age when the physical strength to run emerges but the mind can present barriers to testing the limits of that strength. I love to be there in those crucial moments to affirm for Warriors that 'yes, you can redefine your "possible."'
Sophie Linn
9-10 • Girls Assistant Coach
Born in Australia, I grew up a swimmer who ran on the side. After competing in the 2012 Olympic Trials for Swimming and Track, I came to the US to run track and cross country at the University of Michigan where I did my undergraduate and graduate degrees in sport business and human computer interaction.
After I graduated from Michigan, I switched to Triathlon, and am currently racing on the Australian National Team.
After coaching school cross country briefly in high school, I knew it was something I wanted to return to. Running has brought me all over the world, and given me friends, opportunities and a lifelong way of staying healthy and fit. By coaching I hope I can give back to the sport that has given me so much, and impart some wisdom on the upcoming runners at Boulder Mountain Warriors. They are so tough and it’s an honor to get to run with them!
Aaron Mendez
9-10 Boys Head Coach
I’m Aaron, I grew up in Buffalo, NY, and ran at the DIII level for SUNY Fredonia.
A couple highlights of my running career would be breaking my high school's Distance Medley Relay record with my brother and two of my best friends. More recently, running in my first Backyard Ultramarathon, where I was able to run 58 miles on relatively little training.
I love coaching because I believe that sports are one of the best forms of self-expression and self-development. As a coach, I look to model what commitment looks like – as a runner and a teammate – without taking away from the fun and love of the sport. I’m currently a teacher at the middle school level, and hope to teach math and coach at the high school level in the future!
Rory Murtagh
9 -10 Boys Assistant Coach
Rory grew up in Dublin Ireland, road cycling and running in the rain. He began running before he walked, and hasn’t ever really stopped. He started competing later in life and still loves to run, train and race. And to bike. He competed for Ireland at Duathlon Worlds, races distances from the mile to marathons and beyond, and is now mostly focused on ultras and age-group races. In coaching the BMWs he tries to have each warrior keep the joy of running for their whole lives; to have fun, to do their own personal best, and to support one another to bring out the best of the team.
Marni Tucker
8U Boys & Girls • Head Coach
Originally from New York, I’ve called Boulder County home since 2006. I started running in college and quickly fell in love with it as a way to clear my head and recharge. What began as running ultra distances “just for fun” turned into my first ultra race in 2019.
One of my favorite race memories so far is the 50-mile Run Rabbit Run “date run” with my husband, Paul - complete with literally running into old friends on course as we climbed to the top of Rabbit Ears Pass.
I love coaching the BMW 8-and-under group. As a mom of three active kids (including one full-time Warrior!), it’s been incredibly rewarding to make practices fun, encouraging, and motivating for the next generation of runners.
Outside of Boulder Mountain Warriors, I work full-time as a Production Director in Sports & Event Management.
Karen Weinzierl
8U Boys & Girls • Assistant Coach
Bio Coming Soon