Team Commie Bar welcomes 4 new racers to the roster in 2016.........

Mark Bolyard

Home:  Murphy, NC

I am originally from Missouri but have also lived in Savannah, Ga and now live in Murphy, NC for the last 10years.  Love the outdoors.  I have been adventure racing for approx. 9 years.  I have done everything from sprint to expedition (Florida Sea to Sea x 3).  Have raced at Nationals both under USARA and Checkpoint Tracker, have finished top 3 in all male categories twice.  Running is my strong suit, I have raced multiple marathons with best finish of 3:21, one 50K trail race and multiple other 5K, 10K’s.   Also love mountain biking, I have competed in a few 6hr endurance races and also completed the Six Gap Century bike race multiple times.  I have also completed the Cherahala Challenge century bike ride as well as other gravel grinders.  Also enjoy paddling the mountain lakes and rivers close to home in either kayak or SUP.  Something I have taken up recently is Obstacle course racing and am looking at a long term goal of trying out for American Ninja Warrior.  

Val Hardin
Black Mountain, NC

Started running at 10 years old, cross country at
UVA.  Started doing triathlons in the early 1990s and then moved to Xterra in  2004.  8 time Xterra Regional Champion as well as several podium finishes at Xterra Age Group Nationals.  Started Adventure Racing 7 years ago while living in PA.  Competed at USARA Nationals last 3 years finishing 3rd place Coed Masters in 2015.

D.J. Angelone
Home:  Mullica Hill, NJ
Team Shrink

DJ “ The professor” Angelone first caught the bug for adventure racing due to his love of reality TV and exposure to Eco-Challenge.  During undergrad, an instructor from a Health & Exercise Science course taught him about “peak experiences” and the concept of “Flow.”  He also vowed to do a 24hour race (and beyond) as part of a goal setting exercise in that class.  Ten years later he entered his first adventure race and has been challenging himself ever since.  Having completed dozens of 6 hour and several 12 hour races, the Flow has become addictive, so he decided to increase the dosage to 20 hours this season.  He looks forward to learning a ton from this band of adventure athletes and will do his best to bring them home with increased psychological vigor (even offering reduced fees for his services).

Michael Scott

Home:  Norfolk, VA

Complimenting our team psychiatrist, Michael brings a wealth of experience as a mental health counselor in Norfolk, VA.  He's been involved in Triathlons for 9 years or so and the rest of Team Commie Bar do not hold that against him.  He has completed Lake Placid Ironman and has a huge passion for hiking and camping with the family.  This will be his 1st year in adventure racing.