Together we provide a unique and comprehensive experience individualized for each athlete to help you reach your full potential!
Run Coaches
Nell Rojas
Nell Rojas is a professional American marathon runner for Nike. She attended Northern Arizona University where she studied Exercise Science and competed on the cross country and track and field teams. Upon graduation, Nell transitioned into triathlons and competed professionally while simultaneously starting up her coaching career obtaining USATF Level I, USA Weightlifting, and VDot/Jack Daniels certifications. In the midst of triathlon training, she ran her first marathon in 2018 at the marathon national championships at CIM finishing 7th in a time of 2:31. Nell went on to finish top American at the 2021 and 2022 Boston Marathon and 10th at the 2022 NYC marathon. She also holds a national title in the 10-mile championships as well as a victory at Grandma’s marathon. Currently, she lives in Boulder, CO where she trains and coaches athletes of all abilities towards their running goals.
PR's:
Marathon 2:24:51
Half Marathon: 1:08:52
10k: 31:52
5k: 15:37
Languages:
English, Spanish
Molly Grabill
Molly is a former Oregon Duck where she was a six time All-American. She has a 2:29 marathon PR, coming in 2nd at the 2021 California International Marathon. She is also fresh off of a top 10 finish at the 10k National Championships in a time of 31:49. The best part is that she’s just getting started.
PR’s:
Marathon 2:29
Half Marathon 70:42
25k: 1:24:32
10K: 31:49
5000m: 15:22
Cristina McKnight
Cristina trains with Rise Elite in Boulder, CO under Ric Rojas. Cristina was born in Madrid, Spain and grew up in Ada, Michigan. She started running after graduating from Michigan State in 2018. After only two years of running she debuted in the marathon with a time of 2:40:02. She also finished 49th at the 2020 Olympic Trials in her second marathon ever. Now competing for Spain in hopes of chasing some big goals and would love to help you in doing the same!
PR’s:
15k: 52:47 (SC State Record)
Half Marathon: 1:16:04
Marathon: 2:40:02
Languages:
English, Spanish
Alex Diltz
Alex grew up in Pennsylvania, where he competed for Lock Haven University, running Cross Country and Track and Field. Alex has been training with Team Elevated Performance coached by Jeff Boele here in Boulder. So far, his running highlights include 2:19:26 debut marathon at Grandma’s Marathon, 1:06 half marathon, and top 30 marathon finish at a World Major Marathon. Alex is also racing for a spot in the USA Olympic trials marathon field. Outside of coaching, Alex is a Licensed Massage Therapist working at Pr Labs Sports and Performance in Boulder Colorado, and also has a mobile private massage business. Alex loves to help individuals achieve their running goals as well as helping them keep their bodies in tip top shape. If you have any questions for Alex, feel free to reach out.
PR’s:
Half Marathon: 1:06
Marathon: 2:19:26
Nicole Mericle
Nicole is a 5-time obstacle racing world champion. Her competitive background began as a Division 1 Cross Country and Track & Field athlete at Rice University where she held two school records and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 3,000m steeplechase. She raced post collegiately with Hudson Elite in Boulder, Colorado, and over time transitioned to trail running and garnered her passion for rock climbing. Her diverse athletic strengths led her to test her skills at her first obstacle course race in 2016. Nicole was immediately successful, and in 2017 she won the USA OCR Championship in both the 3k and 15k, finished as the first American in the Spartan Championship Series, and won the 3k OCR World Championship and Tougher Mudder World Championship. In 2018, she repeated as the 3k OCR World Champion and in 2019 solidified her rise to the top of the sport winning both the Spartan Race World and Trifecta Championships.
Ryan Lawrence
Ryan was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, and has competed in races all over the world, including Taiwan, Australia, and many states throughout the US. His running career started in high school where he competed alongside his sister, as well as Nell and her two brothers. Go Panthers! He also attended CU Boulder where he was constantly motivated and inspired by the Buffs incredible running performances. Nell and Ryan coached alongside each other at Boulder High School with much success! Running brings so much joy into his life, and he is looking forward to helping you find that joy as well.
PR’s:
Marathon 2:45
Half marathon 1:15
10k 35:17
5k 16:44
Ric Rojas
Ric Rojas is a running coach based out of Boulder, CO who works with spectrum of athletes ranging from Olympic Trials prospects to National and World-Class masters to NCAA-bound high school athletes.
As an athlete, Ric competed at national and international levels as an open/professional and masters runner and was ranked in the top-10 US high school milers as a senior. He counts among his personal accomplishments winning the USATF National Cross Country Championship (1976) , setting the 15K Road Race World Record (Gasparilla Distance Classic, 1981), and winning the National High School USATF Mile Indoor Championship (Houston, Texas, 1970). Ric was ranked among the top 10 US Road Racers from 1977 through 1981 by Track and Field News and competed in two Olympic Trials and two Pan American Games.
Ric’s objective as a coach is to facilitate individual peak performance. My time-tested training methods have consistently yielded results for a wide spectrum of competive athletes including Olympic Trials qualifiers, nationally ranked high school runners, and world-ranked masters runners.
Strength & Rehab Coaches
Jenna Zajac PT, DPT, PhD, C-PS
Jenna is a Boston, MA based physical therapist. She graduated from Nazareth College with her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and recently completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University. During her career thus far, Jenna has worked with runners of all distances with a special emphasis on marathoners. As a runner herself, she is passionate about working with athletes to help them feel and perform their best as they chase down their goals.