Anne Jones Thompson

Anne has been involved in coaching for over 25 years - working with athletes at every level, from high school and college tennis to youth and elite runners and triathletes. Anne, who has a MS in Exercise Physiology from Virginia Tech, holds coaching certifications of Level-I from USA Triathlon and USA Track and Field, Club-Level from USA Cycling, and is a NSCA Certified Personal Trainer.

A competitive athlete herself, Anne comes from a background that includes running on her boys' jr. high school track team and being a Division I scholarship tennis player. In addition to these two sports, she competed at the high school level on the varsity basketball and track teams. Anne was inducted into the Virginia Tech Athletic Hall Of Fame in 2003 for her contributions to the tennis program as both a player and coach.

Taking up running in 1981, and triathlon in 1989, Anne worked her way to the starting line in Hawaii in 3 years. She participated in her first marathon in 1981, the Hawaiian Ironman in 1992, and the Boston Marathon in 1996. Over the past several years, she has shifted her competitive focus to Xterra and ultra-distance events, including adventure racing and ultra-marathons. Anne consistently places in the top 3 in the 40-44 age group (almost 45-49) in Xterra Off-Road Triathlon events, and was the Mid-Atlantic Xterra Champion in 2001.

Anne brings a wealth of personal competitive experience to her coaching, and has made health and athletic excellence a personal pursuit her whole life. She is very aware of the exercise and competitive needs of today's society, and the delicate balance required to develop a satisfying athletic commitment while still maintaining a productive work and home environment. Over the years Anne has helped to motivate and guide many athletes in their pursuit of healthy lifestyles and athletic participation. She understands how challenging it can be to manage a busy schedule and fit time in for training. Regardless of your daily schedule, Anne can prepare a training plan for you that is specific to your goals and the time you have available to train.

Anne lives in Blacksburg, Virginia with her husband Stan and German Shepherd Charlie.

  • M.S. Exercise Physiology
  • USAT Certified Coach
  • USATF Certified Coach
  • NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
  • Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon, Finisher, 1992
  • Boston Marathon, Qualifier and Finisher, 1996
  • Odyssey 24 Hour Adventure Race, 2nd 2-person Coed Team, 2001
  • X-Terra Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion, 2001
  • Kentucky Double Trouble 12 Hour Adventure Race, 2nd 2-person Coed Team, 2002
  • Odyssey Mega Dose 40-Hour Race, Natural Bridge, VA, 2nd 4 Person Co-Ed, Adventure Category, 2003
  • Odyssey 24-Hour Adventure Race, Big Island, VA, 1st 4 Person All-Female, Adventure Category, 2003

 

Kelly McPherson

Kelly grew up playing soccer and diving competitively (because they practiced in the afternoon, not the mornings). She started diving competitively in fifth grade and continued throughout high school and while at Virginia Tech, where she graduated in 1998 with a degree in Elementary Education.

After college, Kelly got married, had babies and gained weight. Kelly started running and lifting to lose weight, and completed her first marathon in 2005. The next spring, looking for something to balance her running, Kelly joined TriAdventure’s Beginning Tri Group and the rest is history.

In her first triathlon, Kelly finished 10th overall and 2nd in her age-group. Consistently placing in the top three of her age-group, Kelly became a great example for the TriAdventure Beginners and soon, the TriAdventure Tri Kids.

Wanting to spend more time raising her two adorable kids, Matthew and Molly, Kelly turned from competing to coaching, and became a USAT Certified Coach in 2008.

While transitions are Kelly’s forte, her background in running, biking and swimming, help Kelly provide her clients with a very well balanced and knowledgeable approach to triathlon training. Kelly focuses on the whole athlete, combining innovative and steadfast methods of triathlon coaching with her enthusiasm and ability to motivate.  Kelly feels it is imperative not only to be trained well but also to enjoy what one is doing. As an athlete for most of her life, Kelly knows how to make training a priority and incorporate it into a busy schedule.

Kelly believes in a complete approach to training. With her experience as a personal trainer and spinning instructor, Kelly is able to lead TriAdventure’s signature fitness program Rambo, a boot camp like workout used for building  strength and preventing injury.

Long term success in triathlon requires consistency, enthusiasm, knowing when to push your body and when to rest. Kelly works with clients to create a personalized plan that meets their specific triathlon goals.

Kelly resides in Blacksburg, VA with husband Dave, children Matthew and Molly, Dad Rock, Mom Patty, dogs Reece and Maddy.


Justin Tanner

Justin Tanner grew up on the coast of Virginia and moved to the mountains to attend Virginia Tech. He enjoyed his undergraduate time at Virginia Tech so much that he stayed on for graduate studies, earning his Ph.D. in Microbiology in 2010.

During his graduate work, Justin began training with TriAdventure as a way to get in shape and learn to do Triathlons. He got hooked from his very first Triathlon and has completed more than 10 Sprint and Olympic distance races. 

After he completed his graduate studies, he took a job in Roanoke and moved from Blacksburg to the “big city.”  Justin decided he wanted to continue to pursue Triathlons but there was a lack of a coordinated training group in the Roanoke Valley. Working with Anne, Justin is helping to coach an expansion of TriAdventure into the Roanoke Valley. As part of the TriAdventure coaching team, Justin became a USAT certified Level 1 Coach in 2011.

Having a full time research job, Justin understands how hard it is to balance a non-sports related job and the demands of training for 3 distinct sports within a limited amount of time. Justin loves to help beginners accomplish their first Triathlon and experienced Triathletes to get that PR or Podium spot they are chasing. He is excited to help the TriAdventure family spread in the Roanoke Valley! 

Justin has competed in a variety of endurance events and understands the varied challenges that come with each sport.

 

  • 2011 Las Vegas Half Marathon
  • 2011 Star City Half Marathon
  • 2011 Luray “Double” – Olympic and Sprint Triathlons on back-to-back days
  • 2010 Richmond Marathon
  • Varied Triathlons throughout Virginia

 

 

Kirby Walke

Kirby Walke is Virginia born and bred and has lived in many of the mountain towns throughout the Commonwealth.

Raised in Roanoke, Kirby grew up running and biking on the mountain trails, and paddling the rivers and lakes. Kirby then spent time in Harrisonburg while a student at JMU.

After JMU Kirby moved to Blacksburg and became Head Mechanic at East Coasters Cycling And Fitness. Over the last several years Kirby has put on several mountain bike and trail running races for East Coasters and Mountain Lake.

Kirby has a great love of the outdoors and the many adventures available in the surrounding mountains. Whether your choice is mountain biking, trail running or paddling, Kirby would love to help you tackle your first, or your 50th, mountain challenge.

Having a young family himself, Kirby understands not only how to take advantage of limited training time, but how to make sure you are successful and have fun, keeping you coming back for more.

Kirby lives by many mantras, but definitely believes “your training should be more fun than your event.”

As you can see from Kirby’s racing resume, his accomplishments are many and varied. Long or short, flat or mountainous, running or biking, Kirby can help YOU gain confidence and perform successfully.

  • 1st Place: Massanutten Hoo-Ha Super D
  • 1st Place: Rowdy Dawg XXC
  • 6th Place: Massanutten Kenda Cup XXC
  • 5th Place: Into the Darkness Trail Run
  • Shenandoah MT 100
  • Holiday Lake 50K Ultra Marathon
  • Swank 65
  • Michaux Mountain Bike Series

 

Taylor Jennings

Taylor Jennings earned his competition stripes playing basketball. While not the most talented player on the floor, Taylor was a basketball star from youth league until he graduated from high school. Playing with desire and determination, and out-working everyone else, Taylor proved mental and physical discipline is far more important than physical talent.

During his Senior year in High School, Taylor was challenged to do a triathlon. Working with his dad, who competed nationally in triathlons while in college, Taylor had to learn to swim efficiently and with endurance. Soon after taking up triathlon, Taylor competed in the Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia sprint triathlon and not only completed his first ever open water swim, but exceeded everyone’s expectations for the bike and run also.

Understanding the importance of setting goals and working towards them, Taylor sets a goal for every race he competes in. During that first race, Taylor hoped to finish in under an hour and thirty minutes, and ended up with a finishing time of 1:27:14. He was hooked.

Over the 2009 and 2010 season, Taylor played around with triathlon, mainly competing in relays and local races. But merely participating wasn’t enough for this highly competitive young man, so he decided to get serious and dedicate himself to training and racing. Seeking to reach his full potential, Taylor came to TriAdventure seeking personal coaching and people to train with.

Training hard and following solid training regimens, Taylor’s 2011 results showed his potential as never before – throughout the season he competed strongly both in his age-group and the overall category. His best results came at the first annual TriAdventure Summer Sprint with a 4th place overall finish, and at the Patriot Half Iron Triathlon (his first Half-Ironman distance). At Patriot, Taylor placed 2nd in his age group and 20th overall, finished in just over 5 hours and qualified for the USAT National Long Course Championships. A 3rd place age-group finish at Nationals capped Taylor’s season.

During the past year, Taylor has learned a tremendous amount about the sport of triathlon and what is required to be successful. Drawing on his knowledge of competition and his newfound training wisdom, Taylor works hard to help others accomplish their goals, just as he has. Taylor is honored to be part of the TriAdventure Team and looks forward to helping others succeed in whatever challenges they undertake.

2011 Season

  • 4th place age group - Smith Mountain Lake Sprint
  • 4th place overall - TriAdventure Summer Sprint
  • 2nd place age group - Patriots Half-Ironman
  • 8th place overall - Cane Creek Sprint
  • 3rd place age group finish – USAT National Long Course Championships

 

Kelly Neville

Kelly comes to TriAdventure with a solid background in athletics and coaching. Whether you are a beginning or a seasoned competitor, Kelly can make you better

Growing up, Kelly competed in volleyball, softball and rock climbing, but her athletic interests changed upon entering college when she and a few friends participated in their first triathlon. The triathlon was just what she needed to catch the endurance sports “bug,” and as a result, her love for endurance sports continuous to grow. 

After one season of triathlons, Kelly decided she needed more to feed her competitive desire.  During the fall of 2009 she hopped on a mountain bike, learning how to ride, as well as race, with the Virginia Tech Cycling team.  A natural on the mountain bike, Kelly obtained her USAC A rating in just two weekends of racing.

In the fall of 2010 while racing her second mountain bike season, an accident caused Kelly to tear the meniscus in her knee and put her out of training and competing for seven grueling months.  Determined to stay in shape and stay positive, Kelly spent time lifting weights, aqua-jogging and religiously performing her physical therapy. 

One month after her therapists said the magical words “all clear,” she joined her family for a cross county bike trip traveling 4109 miles in two months from Virginia Beach to Florence Oregon.  The cross-country bike trip has been the highlight of her life thus far, allowing her to see the country, as well as bond with her family.

In the summer of 2010, as an HNFE major at Virginia Tech (with a focus on exercise physiology), Kelly received an internship with Endorphin Fitness in Richmond. During her internship, Kelly coached the adult and youth triathletes, and trained alongside Coach Harlow and the High Performance youth team.  Through this experience, Kelly gained much needed knowledge of the sport of triathlon and the techniques for performing each discipline efficiently. She also led several training camps, covering such topics as training, transitions and even mountain biking.

Most importantly, Kelly fell in love with coaching. She loves working with other athletes, motivating and pushing them to do their best physically and mentally, and is excited to have the opportunity to assist with TriAdventure.

2010

  • 1st place age group Off-Road Duathlon Nationals
  • 1st place age group I love the Tavern
  • 1st place age group 3sports Triathlon
  • 1st place age group Luray International Triathlon

2011

  • 2nd place age group Luray Olympic Triathlon
  • 2nd overall Female Angry Monkey 6 hour MTB  
  • 2nd place age group Big Lick Triathlon