Rene's Story
Since a young age, Rene knew she wanted a career in athletics & fitness and she felt a strong connection to help others. At age 17 she started her journey into the fitness industry and quickly became a certified fitness instructor, trainer and teacher of fitness teachers through BCRPA. At the age of 29, she started her own company, P.A.C.E. Sports Fitness, (in 2005) where she combined coaching outdoor pursuits with her love of fitness. Rene obtained her level III coaching certification through the NCCP, skills and tactics training in cycling and a long list of other coaching/fitness courses that continued to expand her existing certifications and more importantly, her passion to help others.
Rene retired after a 20 year successful career in the fitness industry to peruse her coaching career full time. Along with running her business, race directing the PACE trail race series & coaching athletes, Rene also works for a German based events company, called Plan B, as the communications, marketing and coach/trainer for a 7 day stage race called the Transalpine Run. She also runs a successful tour company that does the accommodation bookings and escorts groups to this race every year.
Rene has a long list of personal accomplishments (& stories) since she started endurance sports in 2003. She has a strong passion for stage racing, however her love for the outdoors, adventures with friends & helping others, is what motivates her most. She loves to travel and enjoys a variety of sports outside of running, such as mountain, road, cross riding, rock climbing, nordic skiing, downhill skiing, canyoneering and hiking. Outside of recreation she loves gardening and pottery.
In 2021 her and her husband starting roasting coffee in their backyard and launched a new business called Rifugio Coffee Roasters where they both enjoy roasting part-time.
She is grateful for her long term sponsorship & partnerships with Salomon Canada (since 2013) & Hammer Nutrition Canada (since 2014).
"Treat others the way you want to be treated." - Rene credits much of her personal and professional success (and happiness) to her parents, who taught her to live life with integrity, to lead with strong values and to always take the high road in tough situations.
Rene retired after a 20 year successful career in the fitness industry to peruse her coaching career full time. Along with running her business, race directing the PACE trail race series & coaching athletes, Rene also works for a German based events company, called Plan B, as the communications, marketing and coach/trainer for a 7 day stage race called the Transalpine Run. She also runs a successful tour company that does the accommodation bookings and escorts groups to this race every year.
Rene has a long list of personal accomplishments (& stories) since she started endurance sports in 2003. She has a strong passion for stage racing, however her love for the outdoors, adventures with friends & helping others, is what motivates her most. She loves to travel and enjoys a variety of sports outside of running, such as mountain, road, cross riding, rock climbing, nordic skiing, downhill skiing, canyoneering and hiking. Outside of recreation she loves gardening and pottery.
In 2021 her and her husband starting roasting coffee in their backyard and launched a new business called Rifugio Coffee Roasters where they both enjoy roasting part-time.
She is grateful for her long term sponsorship & partnerships with Salomon Canada (since 2013) & Hammer Nutrition Canada (since 2014).
"Treat others the way you want to be treated." - Rene credits much of her personal and professional success (and happiness) to her parents, who taught her to live life with integrity, to lead with strong values and to always take the high road in tough situations.
Rene's Certifications
- BCRPA certifications varying from fitness leader, personal trainer and teacher of teachers since 1993.
- 24yrs of sport & fitness specific workshops.
- Level 1-3 NCCP Coaching Courses.
- NCCP skills & tactics course (mountain & road biking).
- Outdoor emergency first aid.
Rene's Awards & Publications
- 2023 Best of Kelowna Bronze award for Best Local Sport Coach.
- 2020 Best of Kelowna Bronze award for Best Local Sport Coach.
- 2019 Best of Kelowna Bronze award for Best Local Sport Coach.
- 2018 publication for SHARE booklet - Value your Passion.
- 2018 The Gear Show podcast - The Allure of the Gore-Tex Transalpine Run.
- 2018 Hammer Nutrition Ambassador Spotlight.
- 2018 Writer/contributor for the special "Share" feature on the Gore-Tex Transalpine Run website.
- 2018 Plan B Events Company communications/marketing liaison for North America.
- 2017 The Gear Show podcast - Trail Running: Overcoming suffering & achieving elephant moments.
- 2017 publication for SHARE booklet - How to Find a Suitable Race Partner.
- 2016 Mountain Magazine feature.
- 2016 Get Out There Magazine feature.
- 2016 publication on www.suunto.com "how to smash a stage trail race".
- 2015 publication for IMPACT Magazine "tune up your trail IQ"
- 2015 to present Gore-Tex TransAlpine Run coach/trainer
- 2014 Canadian Cancer Fight for Life feature.
- 2013 Castanet charity / alps feature.
- 2013 In Focus feature
- 2013 Capital News feature.
- 2013 The Daily Courier feature.
- 2013 - 2014 Award for Generous Support & Services from F.O.S.S.
- 2013 Corporate Community of the Year Award
- 2013 Canadian Female Trail Running Contributor of the Year
- 2013 Guest Speaker at the Alpine Club of Canada AGM & F.O.S.S. AGM
- 2012 Interview on Q103
- 2012 Guest Speaker at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
- 2012 Penticton Herald feature.
- 2011 Castanet alps feature.
- 2011 Calgary Herald feature.
- Community / Charity involvement click HERE.
Some highlights & accomplishments
- 2011 to 2024 (11 time) participant of the Transalpine Run, 7 day stage race in the Alps:
- finishing 5th female in the Masters solo category in 2024
- finishing 2nd female team in the Masters category 2019
- finishing 3rd female team in the Open Women's category 2016
- 2024 Gravel Royale 3 day stage race - 3rd in the Master Women's category
- 2022 to 2024 (3 time) participant of the Gravel Bike Experience. A 3 day gravel ride across Austria and Italy.
- 2024 a 7 day self supported bike-packing trip across Slovenia and Croatia.
- 2019 Salomon 4 Trails, 4 day stage race in the Alps - 9th in Master Women's category
- 2013 Squamish 50k - 8th female
- 2013 Sun Mountain 50km - 6th female & 2nd in age category
- 2013 Diez Vista 50km - 7th female & 3rd in age category
- 2011 Angels Staircase 25km - 4th female
- 2010 BC Bike Race 8 day stage race - 8th in mixed category
- 2009 Cle Elum 25km - 4th female
- 2008, 2009 & 2015 Salty Dog 6hr Enduro MTB Race (soloing 2009/5th female)
- 2008 Hallow's Eve 10km - 4th female o/a 3rd in age category
- 2006 Scorched Sole 25km - 3rd o/a & 2nd female
- 2005 Raid Thai 5 day stage race - 5th female