OUR TEAM
LARRY RYAN
RACE DIRECTOR
In 2019, Brad Sawa awarded Larry the Ohana award at Ultraman Canada for his last minute help in pulling together that race. This led to Larry becoming co-race director for a few years. You may know him as the host of 515 : The Ultra Podcast, but Larry has been around the 515 racing scene since 2010 when he first crewed for his then wife, Lucy Ryan. His passion for the people in the Ohana and his desire to put on a world class event has led him to creating the Ultra TriFest Canada and the Ultra 515 World Wide Championships. Larry has a M.Ed and has worked as an educator since 1995.
STEVE KING
Ultraman Finisher and Legendary Race Announcer
Steve has a B.Sc. degree in Health and Human Services and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. He is an avid runner and triathlete who has held six national age group records, has raced at Ironman and Ultraman triathlon distances and has been a member of Canada's national 100km team. In 2001 he became only the second Canadian ever to finish the 135 miles Death Valley race. In 2012 he was inducted into the BC Athletics Hall of Fame and is in the Frontrunners Walk of Fame in Victoria, BC. Around the Ohana these days everyone just refers to him as 'The Voice'. You know you have made it when Steve calls you across the line.
KRISTIAN MANIETTA
Kristian is a race director, podcaster, athlete and coach at Endurance Specific with his wife Charlotte Paul. Together, they train endurance athletes and organize Whistler/Pemberton based events : Comfy Numb Ultra Marathon, XTERRA Trail Run Pemberton and XTERRA Whistler.
As a triathlete, Kristian has raced in Kona and gone under 9 hours to win his age group at Ironman Western Australia. Prior to finding triathlon, Kristian was a pro snowboarder. These days he loves ultra trail running with his fastest 100 miler being just under 19 hours. Living in Whistler, he takes advantage of the spectacular terrain to spend time keeping fit with skiing, hunting and riding MTB’s and Motos with his wife and son.
MARLA ZUCHT
Marla has completed Ultraman Canada and 17 Ironman races, including four World Championships in Hawaii, triathlon continues to be a lifelong passion for Marla. As a Whistler local, and vice president of the Whistler Triathlon club, a large part of the motivation and enjoyment for her comes from the group training and camaraderie surrounding the sport in the area. When not racing triathlons, Marla is keen to get involved in all things outdoor and recreation from ski touring to trail racing and from ‘Everesting’ to gravel adventures. Anytime in motion, she is in her happy place.
DALE TIESSEN
Dale Tiessen resides in Whistler and is active in the cycling and triathlon communities there and around BC. He is the founder and previous race director of Whistler X Triathlon (now Whistler XTERRA) and previous co-owner of the Comfy Numb Trail Race. He’s been active with the Whistler Triathlon Club since moving to Whistler. Previously he has been race director for several cycling events, including BC Cup races, in the Vancouver Lower Mainland. He brings a good knowledge of event planning and execution. Personally, Dale is still active in both cycling and triathlon, focused mainly on events which allow him to get his face dirty. He’s recently competed in the World Triathlon Multi-Sport Championships in Spain in the Cross Triathlon.
LUCY RYAN
Lucy has become one of the top female ultra athletes in Canada taking on six 515 events and a number of ultra marathons. She was the 9th Canadian woman to complete Badwater 135 and has also competed at the sister race --Brazil 135. Lucy now volunteers as a crew member passing on her experience as an athlete to the athletes she supports while she's awaits new body parts required for returning to participating herself. In 2022, Lucy climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for Kidney Donor Athletes with a group of athletes who have all donated kidneys.
PETER LOPINSKI / HELENA LOPINSKI
Peter is a multiple 140.6 and three time 515 race finisher in Canada and Hawaii. Peter and his wife Helena have been a staple at 515 races helping out in any and all ways possible. Athletes love their positive vibes and Peter's sense of humour keeps athletes moving along the course. The couple were awarded the final Ultra 520k Canada Ohana award in 2022 when nearly every athlete mentioned them in their speeches.
CHRISTINE SUTER-ROSENFELD
Christine has been participating and competing in IM since 1999. She has completed 10 Ironmans, qualified for Kona, run multiple Ultra’s, and was the first place women's finisher at Ultra 520 Canada in 2019!
Christine is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Multisport coach, rehabilitation and personal trainer and a Registered Massage Therapist. She has been coaching athletes in Multisport events since 2007 and continues to provide athletic coaching along with Mental Performance coaching to both teams and individuals. Connect to her website from the button below.
An active member in the Whistler triathlon community for many years, Christine has served as race director, coach, volunteer, Triathlon Club president and board member.
