Meet the 2025 Amway River Bank Run Road Warriors

Coach – Amanda VanBennekom:

Amanda VanBennekom serves as the running coach for the 2025 Road Warrior Ambassadors. Her passion for the Amway River Bank Run stems from her personal journey, as it was her first 5K many years ago. Since then, she has completed every race distance multiple times, gaining a deep appreciation for the event. Amanda is dedicated to coaching runners of all experience levels, fostering confidence and enthusiasm in each participant. She is excited to guide the Road Warriors through their training journey, preparing them to reach the start line of the 25K and cross the finish line with pride.

Zoey Goehring:

Zoey Goehring is a 24-year-old born and raised Grand Rapids native who has always had a passion for health and wellness! In her free time, you will find her walking/running with her dog, Darby, spreading awareness about animal welfare on her social media accounts, and trying new recipes! Goehring is eager to fundraise for Humane Society of West Michigan at this year’s Amway River Bank Run and hopes her beloved community members will back her in her endeavors, “Until every pet finds a home”.

Brittany Hayes:

Growing up in West Michigan, I discovered a love for sports early on – playing lacrosse for a decade, including at the collegiate level, and running collegiate cross country. About 13 years ago, I began running in my spare time as a way to stay active and support my mental health. Since then, running has become a cornerstone of my life, helping me navigate both the highs and lows. The Amway River Bank Run holds a special place in my heart, as it was one of the main reasons I decided to move to Grand Rapids nearly nine years ago. I first ran this race in 2014, and it has since become an annual tradition that deepened my connection to the city and its incredible running community.Whether I’m running solo to clear my mind or sharing the miles with friends and new faces, I’m constantly reminded of how grateful I am for this sport and the opportunities it brings. I’m thrilled to represent the Amway River Bank Run as a Road Warrior and to inspire others to lace up and hit the pavement.

Teresa Phelps:

Hey ,Teresa here, you can call me T. I grew up in Grand Rapids and migrated into Grand Haven where I am raising an amazing family, working with Corewell Health and running this year for Feeding America – West Michigan. I have the pleasure of being a part of Grand Haven Run Club and would highly recommend you join us for a run if you ever find yourself on the lakeshore. Stay for a sunset. You won’t regret it! At the age of 40 maybe you’ll be surprised that I only found my love for distance running just a few years back. It’s a deep connection now, more to share another day. Looking back to my last 25K Amway Riverbank Run, I’ve got a chip time of 2:22:52. Since it’s so exciting that the Road Warriors are coming back this year, do you guys want to see me shoot for the two-hour club? Go big or go home, right?! 

Ryan Olson:

Ryan joined the Road Runners recently during his recovery from back surgery in September – because let’s face it, nothing says “rest and recover” like surrounding yourself with a bunch of runners! His history with running began in 2015 with the completion of his first half marathon, where he quickly learned to love endurance running. By 2017, he was pushing himself to complete his first ultra-marathon. Since then, his favorite races are 24 hour and 100 milers.

Now, with his sights set on the comeback, Ryan’s recovery goal is to complete the Amway River Bank Triple Crown and an ultra marathon in June. 
When he is not logging miles, Ryan is either busy with his 2 boys, Elijah and Cooper, and his partner in crime, his Golden Retriever Zeus, or working on a few projects at home.

Liz DeByle:

I’m Liz DeByle, and my running journey started in 2022 when I signed up for my first 5K, thinking it would be a one-time bucket list item. Since then, I’ve completed numerous 5Ks, a few 10Ks, and even my first Half Marathon. Along the way, I’ve discovered that training for and conquering new distances has had a positive impact on many areas of my life. It has built my mental resilience, helping me navigate tough situations and reinforcing the lesson that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.For me, running is about embracing challenges and finishing what I start—it’s not about race times or medals. 

I use the run/walk method, which has made running much more enjoyable. I truly believe anyone can be a runner, no matter their pace, the distance they cover, or their age. I’m excited not only to complete the 2025 River Bank 25K but to embrace the journey that will take me there.

Merry Wilbert:

Hi, I’m Merry. You can most likely find me running, talking about running, planning a running shenanigan, or talking about bodily functions while running. 2025 marks my fifth 25k! My ARBR journey began several moons ago with the 5k and then blossomed into the 25k.  I’ve conquered 2 marathons so far; soon to be 3. The party in the back is where it’s at!

Courtney Henderson:

Hello! My name is Courtney Henderson. This will be my 6th year running the Amway River Bank Run. I live in Hudsonville, MI with my husband of 8 years and our two daughters ages 7 and 5. I ran cross country and track in high school, a few years in college, then took a couple years off when I started having kids. I picked it back up in 2021 and ran my first marathon in Chicago in 2022! I’m excited to be a Road Warrior this year and meet new faces at the training runs! Please reach out if you have any questions or live in the jenison/hudsonville area and want to run together sometime!

Tom VanBennekom:

My name is Tom VanBennekom, and my running journey began in high school when I joined the cross-country team. At the end of my first season, my coach told me, “I wish you loved running.” At the time, I didn’t quite understand what he meant. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I liked running—it was just a means to stay in great shape for the other sports I enjoyed. After graduation, I didn’t run again until I turned 40. Needing a way to lose weight and get back into shape, two co-workers and I made a pact in early 2013 to run the River Bank 10K. I didn’t take it seriously and was completely unprepared for the race. I struggled but managed to finish. Crossing the finish line gave me a sense of accomplishment and made me wonder how much better I could do if I actually trained.

That realization marked the beginning of a new chapter in my running journey. I started running 3-5 times a week, initially alternating between running and walking. Running to a landmark and then walking to the next slowly turned into running for an hour at a time. Hills that once required walking became manageable to run. Little by little, I discovered a true love for running and began to understand what Coach Robinson had meant all those years ago. Since then, I’ve participated in numerous races, including 15 half marathons and two full marathons. I’ve also competed in the River Bank Run 12 times, tackling the 25K distance three times. Running has become an integral part of my life, not just for the physical and mental benefits it brings but also for the sense of community it fosters, and I’m excited to support and encourage my fellow runners as we embark on the journey to the 25K in 2025.