OUR TEAM
Trans-Pecos Ultra is managed by a dedicated, volunteer leadership team who are supported each year during race week by even more spectacular volunteers from around the world. These people shed blood, sweat, and tears to keep our participants safe and motivated during the race. Without the commitment and hard work of our volunteers, this race would not be possible.
Creator & Race Director
Chris created Trans-Pecos Ultra to share his passion for adventure, travel and people. He has participated in numerous endurance events over the last ten years. Among his regional accomplishments are finishes at Franklin Mountains Trail Run (50km), Big Bend Ultra (50mi), and the “4-D”, four consecutive marathons in four days with Race Across USA, where he ran with a 15lb pack each day. He has also completed several triathlons including Ironman Coeur D’Alene, long distance cycling events, and multi-day treks through the Himalayas and Middle East.
As an academic, Dr. Herrera is a respected researcher and international expert in applied physiology. His research focuses on the relationships between sleep, health and human performance. His work is published in high-level scientific journals and has been shared at several international conferences, including a keynote lecture on Ramadan and Sports Performance at Qatar House during the London 2012 Summer Olympics. He is also a wellness consultant and provides health education to the general public through unique retreats, as a coach, and motivational speaker to high school students.
Medical Director
Dr. Aaron Reilly, DO is a hard-working dude who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle and spending time with his wife and two daughters. Besides recruiting a team of medical personnel for the race each year, he is also an Emergency Medicine physician and former US Navy Flight Surgeon. Dr. Reilly brings specific training in wilderness, austere, and race medicine.
Dr. Reilly is part of the Austere and Mountain medicine faculty at the University of New Mexico, where he is involved in the education of professional medical providers, from paramedics to physicians, on providing medical support in remote locations. He is also an active member of the UNM Reach and Treat team.
Keep on the lookout for various posts regarding medical topics specific to ultra-endurance athletes on our blog.
Event Coordinator
April is our “local fixer” and all-around “go-to” person working hard behind the scenes all year. When it comes to staying organized, April is that person who makes it all happen!
April brings valuable perspective to the leadership team given her previous experience as an assistant to the Canadian Death Race and as a virtual assistant for a variety of clients in diverse industries around the world. From designing flyers to event planning, April is there all year helping to ensure the participant and volunteer experience is memorable. We even get a ‘two-fer’ since her husband Jake joins us during race week for added courses and logistics support.
Besides keeping track of race details all year, April also keeps her children, husband, three dogs and cat in line too. April enjoys cross-fit. cycling and trail running.
Camp Manager
Jordan, aka “Camp Boss”, loves to serve others. Although most of his life has centered around playing, coaching, and mentoring up and coming tennis players, Jordan is the epitome of a Texas Outdoorsman. You can find Jordan hunting, fishing, starting a campfire and of course boiling hot water every fall at TPU. Jordan also recently moved to Big Bend, a place he’s easily fallen in love with for it’s rich culture and outdoor and hunting opportunities.
"Utility" Player
Peter, RD Chris’ oldest brother, was a part of the original conversation when TPU was just a dream. Peter came to TPU2017 and was on the camp team, served as the course manager in TPU2018, and now spends his days supporting the team in strategy and partnership, along with training. Join Peter at TPU2020 and let’s see him conquer 165mi of gnarly Chihuahuan Desert track in Big Bend Ranch State Park!
When he’s not training, you can find Peter hanging with his wife and four kids, talking about college football (or any sport - bring it), BBQing for his extended family or giving Chris a hard time! Peter’s also a national sales and marketing professional in the medical industry so if you need a tip on medial supplies, robotics surgery, or operating room procedures, he’s your man.
Elite Racer Program & Media Coordinator
Garrett hails from Colorado but has lived in Texas now for over 3 years. Wait – what? Why would you move from Colorado to Texas – ask him – it’s a great story! Garrett first joined the #TPUtribe in 2018 as the event photographer, and then in 2019 to produce our newest video trailer. He is now heading up our elite racer program and providing social media management.
You can find Garrett on Strava setting new FKTs, in and around Houston walking his dog, or at home cooking some bomb stew for his wife and close friends.
Garrett specializes in photojournalism and documentary photography. He has been on a diverse set of assignments, from Zaatari Refugee camp in Jordan to eastern Ukraine in the conflict zone to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.