contact US
Contact Alaska Mountain Runners
Phone: (907) 529-4178
Email: akmtnrunners@gmail.com
Meet the AMR Board of Directors
(the board has periodic vacancies for 2-year terms; those interested in joining should contact akmtnrunners@gmail.com)
Matias Saari, President – Matias has been an AMR board member since 2011 and succeeded Brad Precosky as president in 2022. He directs several trail and mountain races including the Mount Marathon Race, which he won in 2009. Saari, a former sportswriter, also coordinates events for the nonprofit Healthy Futures.
Julianne Dickerson, Treasurer – Julianne has been an AMR board member since 2023. Her duties include managing the organization’s budget and finances. She also became the Bird Ridge Race director in 2025. A lifelong hiker and runner originally from Kenai, she started mountain racing in 2015 after getting into Mount Marathon and becoming instantly hooked on the sport. Julianne works as an electrical engineer for Hilcorp Energy Company.
Conor Deal – Conor joined the AMR board in 2025. A lifelong Alaskan, he’s a frequent participant in all Grand Prix races. Once a Division 1 hockey player at UAA, he now dedicates his leisure time towards mountain and trail running. Conor works as a pilot for Alaska Airlines.
April McAnly, Vice President – April has been an AMR board member since 2019 and succeeded Annie Connelly as vice president in 2022. She started running the mountain races in 2016, completing them all and placing among the top ten in the Mount Marathon Race. During that time, she fell in love with trail running and the amazing mountain running community. She works as a physician assistant for a community health clinic and is a military veteran having served from 2001-2009.
Sam Young – Sam is AMR’s longest-standing member, having joined the board in 2003. Over the years his main duties revolved around attending the meetings and volunteering at events. His late wife, Bonny Sosa, and Sam are the creators of the nonprofit Healthy Futures. A resident of Seward since 1975, he has 28 Mount Marathon Race finishes (as of 2025) and three wins.
John Clark – John Clark moved to Alaska in 1990 from Arizona. He then fell in love with mountain running after a “too long” rugby career.
John, a frequent runner in AMR Grand Prix races, helped found the popular Crazy Lazy race in 2015 and remains one of its three directors.
A semi-retired telecom engineer, he is also active in trail maintenance and development in the Palmer area.
John joined the AMR board in 2025.
Past AMR board members:
Brad Precosky, president from 1999-2022
Wiley Bland
Ellyn Brown
Greg Brown
Lars Arneson
Annie Connelly
Tom Corbin
Romney Dodd
Barney Griffith
Brian Hall
Craig Harpel
Christie Haupert
Lance Kopsack
Lyon Kopsack
Kjerstin Lastufka
Ben Marvin
Steve Mayer
Clint McCool
Pam Richter
Tom Ritchie
Harlow Robinson
Wendy Sailors
Bonnie Sosa
Bill Spencer
Keith Weinhold
Photo: Kal’s Knoya Ridge Run
Top Photo Credit: Adam Jensen
