Living Journeys Athlete Corps (LJAC) Athletes
Living Journeys Athlete Corps (LJAC) offers a unique opportunity for athletes inspired to support Living Journeys’ mission to ensure that no one in Gunnison County faces cancer alone.
How it Works
LJAC athletes support Living Journeys clients while doing the activities they love — running, walking, hiking, biking, or simply staying active. There is no “right” or “wrong” event or goal. Whether an experienced athlete or someone who enjoys being part of an active community, athletes help raise meaningful funds and awareness for Living Journeys clients. Once an athlete selects an event or personal goal and sets a fundraising target, Living Journeys staff create a personalized fundraising page to showcase their campaign. Athletes also receive images, statistics, and a ready-to-use communications toolkit to easily share their fundraiser with friends and family.
Meet the 2026 LJAC athletes and view their fundraising pages below.
John Mahoney - Bigfoot 200
I’m John Mahoney, living in Crested Butte, Colorado, where the mountains and trails have inspired me to turn endurance challenges into opportunities to give back to the community. Through long-distance racing and training, I’ve partnered with Living Journeys to help support individuals and families affected by cancer in the Gunnison Valley.
In 2024, I raised $10,000 for Living Journeys through my race efforts. In 2025, that number grew to nearly $12,000 thanks to the incredible support of friends, family, and the community. This year, as I train for the Bigfoot 200, my goal is to raise $20,000 to continue supporting the vital work Living Journeys provides for local families navigating cancer.
Bigfoot 200 will be my biggest challenge yet, and this journey is about far more than crossing a finish line. Along the way, I’m hoping to share parts of the experience with a very special guest during training — and hopefully celebrate together at the Bigfoot 200 finish line. Every mile is an opportunity to raise awareness, build community, and support people who need it most.
Scott Earnest - Grin and Bear It
Hi, I am Scott. I am running the Grin and Bear It for my first time this summer. I really like running. I'd say I like mountain biking a little bit more than running, but for some reason I continue to sign up for running races. The proof is in the pudding. I did my first marathon when I was in college, but after years of injuries I didn't pick running back up until moving to Crested Butte a few years ago. Ultimately, I decided to run this race in July because a friend of mine wanted to run their first half marathon and so we agreed to train together.
Why race for Living Journeys? I want to support our community; I want to support people in the valley that are staring down the barrel of cancer. I've had multiple family members throughout the years with various kinds of cancer and have seen how difficult it can be to navigate. It's community that helps us get through challenging times.I am grateful for what Living Journeys is doing for our community and am honored to be a part of it.
Tim Skafidas - 2500 Mile Distance Challenge
My name is Tim Skafidas. I grew up in Concord, NH before moving to Ft, Collins, CO to obtain a degree in exercise physiology at CSU. Growing up with severe asthma, I dreamt of big days in the Rocky Mountains. I eventually found my dream place - Crested Butte! With the clean air and environment I overcame my childhood asthma. I took on many big challenges - Climbing all 54 of Colorados 14ers, racing mountain bikes, skiing, and rock climbing, to name a few. Eventually, I found running and have competed in many events including ultramarathons. After training for decades, I now put most of my summer season emphasis on mountain running and biking. With this new 2026 challenge, I am going for 2500 miles in total distance. I plan to do this through running, hiking, and mountain biking and e-biking. I’ve lost many friends to cancer as well as my father, and have seen the difficulties it presents. I have been a huge supporter of LJ and have witnessed how much it helps this community. This is my “Why” and I’m very proud to be part of this outstanding organization.
Harper Smith and Rowan McIntyre - Boulderthon
Harper:
My name is Harper Smith. I had the pleasure of being born and raised in Crested Butte and have since moved to Golden, where I will be finishing up my degree at the Colorado School of Mines this year. I will be running the Boulderthon with my good friend Rowan McIntyre, and it will also be my first-ever running race.
Growing up in CB, I have always been an avid skier, hiker, biker, and general outdoorsman; however, running is a hobby that I have only recently taken up. My late mother, Sarah Smith, was an avid runner who had great discipline with her morning runs and successfully ran the Imogene Pass Race multiple times. I am very happy to say that I have found that same joy and
discipline while training for this marathon, and I often find myself thinking of her as I push through the harder parts of training.
Living Journeys has not only given a lot to me, but also to many of my close friends. No family is ever prepared to endure the hardships of cancer, and it can be incredibly difficult for friends and family to know what you need at any given time. Living Journeys was a lifeline for me and my family while my mother fought cancer, and I know they have made their services available to
anyone and everyone in the valley who experiences cancer in one way or another. I am very happy to have the opportunity to give back to the organization and community that helped me and my family during a time of need, and I cannot wait to represent Crested Butte, Living Journeys, and my mom at the Boulderthon.
Rowan:
This September, I’m lacing up for my first ever marathon at Boulderthon. Training for 26.2 miles has pushed me further than I expected, early mornings, long runs, and a lot of learning as I go, but every mile has felt like it’s in service of something bigger than myself.
My mom serves on the board, and our family carries a BRCA2 gene mutation, so I’ve grown up close to this cause and the people it supports. But more than anything, I’m running for the people in our community who’ve faced far more than I have, and for the families still walking through it right now. I’m proud to help make sure they don’t have to walk it alone.
Want to learn more?
Interested in learning more about the Living Journeys Athlete Corps? Click the button below and complete the form to connect with a Living Journeys staff member.
