Member Profile – Gwen Umbach

Preferred Name: Gwen
Profession: Healthcare Case Worker
Education: BA in English and Spanish from George Washington University
Member Since: October 2021
Favorite Route: Roosevelt Island
Bet You Didn’t Know: I can play 4 different instruments!

Meet Gwen Umbach

Why did you join the DC Front Runners?

During the pandemic I was looking for a new sport while swimming was not an option, and my coworker and long-time Front Runner Murray Scheel introduced me to the group and made me promise to keep showing up. I’m so glad he did, because it’s been one of the best decisions I made since moving to DC!

Why is the DC Front Runners important to you?

At Front Runners I found the community I’d been missing since I stopped other sports and moved back to DC. There’s nothing I’d rather do on a Saturday than get outdoors and spend time with a supportive, kind group of people. It’s also a great excuse to eat more bagels.

Do you have a favorite memory or story from the DC Front Runners?

This spring during the track program, we had one Monday night where it started raining just in time for practice, and poured down rain the whole night. We were all soaking wet and for the first few repetitions I was hoping we’d get lightning and have to end early, but we made it through! As Erich pointed out, now we know how to run in any conditions.

Alternatively: Last time we ran Roosevelt Island, I almost kicked a deer coming around a bend! It was standing at eye level with the path and did not react to my presence at all. There are very few deer in my hometown (Seattle), so it’s still a novelty to me.

What was your first race ever? And your favorite race?

My first and favorite race has to be the DC Pride 5K this June! Hopefully many more will follow! If we’re talking my first race pre-Front Runners, that was the St. Patrick’s Day Dash (5K) in Seattle in 2006. I was eight years old and very pleased with myself for finishing it.

What are your non-running hobbies?

Playing guitar, reading, cooking/baking, and training my dog.