Staff
These are the faces you'll see when you come in to 7000 Feet Running Company to find your perfect fit.
Kristi & Anthony Miller
owners
Originally from Kentucky, Kristi and Anthony moved to Salida in 2021. They had spent nearly two decades in Charlotte NC and were ready to trade the traffic for mountain air.
Anthony is a running and mountain biking enthusiast, which is what initially brought the Millers to Salida. He was traveling from North Carolina to Colorado to compete in the Leadville races when the family decided they preferred the small mountain town charm over the city lifestyle. Over the past several years, Anthony has completed the Leadville 100, High Lonesome 100, Black Canyon Ultras, Moab Red Hot Ultras, Sawatch Ascent, Run Through Time, two NYC Marathons, multiple other races, and completed the entire Lead Challenge in 2023.
Kristi is the engine behind 7000 Feet, managing inventory, vendor relationships, purchases, and the day-to-day logistics. When she’s not at the store, you’ll likely find Kristi on the tennis court or heading out for a short run. While ultramarathons aren’t on her personal bucket list, she’s an enthusiastic crew chief for Anthony and loves being part of the race-day energy and trail community.
Kristi and Anthony are proud parents of three awesome teenagers and enjoy the laid-back, lifestyle they’ve found in Salida. The Millers bought 7000 Feet in the fall of 2025 with the goal of ensuring that the store remains a community center for runners.
Evan Paul
manager
When Evan first moved to Salida, one of the first things he did was visit the new running store in town, 7000 Feet Running Company. From there, he began showing up to group runs and quickly became an integral part of Salida’s running community. Evan is known for leading group runs at a fun, welcoming pace and making newcomers feel at home.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find Evan racing for himself—he’s far more likely to be pacing friends to the finish line. Though Evan has competed in sub ultra distance races of varying lengths in the past, he prefers running with friends and community. He's almost always up for a short lap up S Mountain or a 35+ mile run from downtown Salida to the summit of Mt. Shavano and back.
While Evan may no longer race competitively, he brings deep experience in helping athletes achieve their goals. He spent years working as a snowboard race coach, with athletes earning both regional and national titles. Evan also serves on Chaffee County Search and Rescue, where he leads the technical rope rescue team and participates on other specialized teams. He’s always happy to share knowledge and tips to help others stay safe while running or exploring in the backcountry
Josh Holer
Josh is originally from Illinois but finally settled in Salida after retiring from the Army after 22 years of service. He’s been with the store since 2023 and loves helping our local community find the best gear for their runs and hikes.
Josh enjoys ultra-distance running and has completed all distances between 50k to 100 miles. His favorite race is High Lonesome 100 and considers it his best experience by far. Future goals include the Hardrock 100 and he’s seriously thinking of a 200 miler one day.
When he’s not working at 7000 Feet you can find him running local trails and mountains, spending time with his wife Jeana and their two labs Ember and Maverick, or hanging out here with the team nerding out about all the latest shoes and gear coming in.
Matt Simmons
Growing up in Minnesota and spending over a decade in Tucson, Arizona, Matt developed a lifelong passion for endurance sports and outdoor living. In 2023, Matt moved to the Salida area to embrace small-town life and the inspiring landscape of the mountains.
With more than 30 years of running experience, Matt's journey began with road running in the 1990s, evolved into duathlons and triathlons (including four Ironman competitions) in the early 2000s, and transitioned to a focus on trail running in 2009. Since then, Matt has completed over 75 ultra-distance events, including more than ten 100-mile ultras.
Matt is passionate about helping others discover the joy of being active, getting outdoors, and connecting with nature. Matt finds fulfillment in sharing insights with other runners and guiding those just starting out, continually encouraging an active, outdoor-focused lifestyle.
John Ripsam
Having been born and raised in Colorado I've been able to spend a great deal of my life exploring this state and region. I have 15 years of ultrarunning experience and 25 years of experience with various endurance sports.
Whether running, skiing, hiking, camping, biking, hunting or Jeeping, getting outside has been a priority. More recently, spending time exploring with my wife and two young children has been the greatest adventure yet.
Jackson Shomion
I’m Jackson a high school cross country and track athlete. When I’m not on the trail or track I love to river surf, road bike and ski!
I have been running for 5 years and believe working as a team is the biggest key to success.
Tristin Teal Coleman
I fell in love with the mountains at a young age through skiing and eventually found my way to trail running. I enjoy reaching for goals outside my comfort zone, sometimes into new athletic endeavors and sometimes into further distances.
While I’m often training for a race, I also enjoy short runs with my dogs and fun passion projects. When I’m not running the trails around Salida, you can find me playing on the river, batch making breakfast burritos or throwing pottery on the wheel.
Ambassadors
7000 Feet Running Company's Ambassadors
Casey Doren
Born and raised in Salida, Casey is a husband, dad of two, and lifelong mountain enthusiast who grew up snowboarding at Monarch and never lost his love for the outdoors. When he’s not with his family, he’s usually out running on the local trails and making the most of the lifestyle that makes this valley home!
In the recent years he’s been competing in Ultra marathons and found passion chasing miles in the mountains. He’s proud to be part of the local running community and to represent a shop that keeps Salida moving!
TR Jamar
I’ve always enjoyed exploring new places (especially under human power). Having moved to this area a couple of years ago my family and I knew we found the place to make our home. The mountains drew us in and the people are why we stayed!
The trail and ultra running community is amazing everywhere on the map but this place is truly special. My training motivation is mostly to stay adventure ready for big days outside with my family and friends, but racing is always fun too. I truly believe that a world with more runners and people doing hard things is a better place to live. Let’s get out there!
Janet Hausken
Hi! My name is Janet. Two years ago I traded the lakes of Minnesota for the mountains of Colorado. My running journey began back in junior high. After road running and racing for many years, I discovered the trails, and have never looked back.
I ran my first 100 mile race at 49, and last summer, at 60, took on my first 200 mile race. Currently, I am training for Western States 100, and I am always striving for new and bigger challenges. Since moving, I am so fortunate to have 7,000 Feet Running Company nearby and the amazing trail community of Salida.
Jennis Warren
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Jennis lived in Virginia for 15 years before taking a year to travel around the world. She eventually landed in Salida where she enjoys running, hiking, rainbows, and sunshine.
As an ambassador, Jennis wants to welcome runners of all levels to the store and be an example that you can do anything you set your mind and body to— whether it’s running one mile or one hundred.
Ben Bridgeman
I’ve been trail and ultra running for over 11 years. It’s actually how we found Salida. Driving through Colorado from Utah on the way back to Texas from a race. Fell in love immediately. Loved it even more on the next visit when we discovered 7,000’.
When we finally moved here in 2024 it was the first place we met and made friends. My wife Liz, is also a trail runner and we have done a 100k and 100 miler together. We have two young daughters and two crazy dogs. You can catch us most Wednesdays with the Salida social run
Kathy Duryea
Kathy is an endurance athlete who has excelled across a wide range of disciplines over the past five decades. Starting as a standout long-distance runner in her youth, she went on to become a highly accomplished cyclist, off- road triathlete, mountain biker, and adventure racer. Coming full-circle back to running, Kathy recently completed her first 100-miler and is working on a long- term project to complete Nolan’s 14. Her cycling career included multiple medals and championships.
Now life is simple, and Kathy enjoys being an ordinary endurance athlete surrounded by a sea of amazing & extraordinary, community centered, friendly athletes, all living and thriving in the surrounding mountains of Salida CO.