2025 Expo Speakers

This year, we have a great line up of speakers to inspire and inform attendees at the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday, April 5!

All sessions are at the National Building Museum Auditorium
401 F St. NW
Washington, DC 20001

The appearance schedule is as follows:

Saturday, April 5

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Breaking Barriers: Lauren Fleshman’s Journey from Elite Runner to Advocate for Young Athletes

Join legendary runner Lauren Fleshman for an inspiring session that delves into her personal and professional running journey. From breaking records on the track to becoming a coach and powerful voice advocating for young female athletes, Lauren shares her triumphs, challenges, and the lessons learned along the way. With a career that includes multiple national titles and Team USA berths, and a 7th place finish at the World Championships, Lauren is now committed to empowering the next generation of women in sport. This session will inspire runners of all genders and ages, with Lauren offering valuable insights on training, perseverance, and creating a more inclusive environment for women in athletics. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the sport’s most influential figures!

Lauren Fleshman is an award winning author and one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time, having won five NCAA championships at Stanford and two national championships as a professional. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Time and Runner’s World. Her debut book was an instant New York Times Bestseller, and won the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. She is the brand strategy advisor for Oiselle, a fitness apparel company for women, and the co-founder of Picky Bars, a natural food company. She lives in Bend, OR.

12:15 – 1:00pm
Meet and Greet with Lauren Fleshman
Meet running great Lauren Fleshman! Bring your books/gear to be signed!

1:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Break

1:15 – 2:05pm
Run Farther & Faster D.C. Elite Panel
Join an inspiring panel discussion featuring elite D.C. area runners, Kerry Allen, Alisa Harvey, and Perry Shoemaker, as they provide tips for running your best Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile.  This engaging session, which will be hosted by Run Farther & Faster Co-Founders Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper will cover key topics, including:

• • CUCB-Specific Race Day Tips
  • Overcoming Challenges in Training and Racing 
  • Memorable Race Moments 
  • Race Day Mental Strategies 

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain firsthand wisdom from these accomplished athletes.

More about the Panelists:

Kerry Allen: Kerry began running in middle school after unremarkable attempts at nearly every other youth sport. She had a successful prep career in Florida, winning the state title in the 3200 meters and finishing second in the state in cross country, and ran for one year at Duke before taking a five-year hiatus from serious running. Feeling shamed by her roommate’s athletic pursuits, Kerry ran her first marathon in Philadelphia in 2011. Since then, Kerry has found a love of racing on the roads, particularly in the 10 mile, half marathon, and marathon. A veteran of the DC road race scene, this will be Kerry’s ninth time racing the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, where she has twice finished among the top 10 Americans. Kerry has also won the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon and Pacers DC Half. She qualified for and competed in the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials and has personal bests of 2:39:49 in the marathon, 1:15:47 in the half marathon, and 56:33 in the 10 mile. Kerry trains and competes as a member of the Georgetown Running Club, DC’s premier competitive running and racing team.

Alisa Harvey: Alisa is an elite-level competitor on the track and road who has qualified for the Olympic Trials at the 800m, 1500m, and marathon distances. Among her long list of accomplishments over decades of racing, she has competed as a member of Team USA at several World Championships and won gold at the 1991 Pan-Am Games in the 1500. At 59, she continues to compete as a top masters athlete, setting numerous age group records. This year will mark her third consecutive Boston Marathon. Alisa is a 2019 National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame inductee and was featured in the documentary Breaking Three.  Alisa is a five-time CUCB finisher where she achieved her lifetime 10-Mile PR of 55:35 on the course in 1998. Also a mom and coach, Alisa has broken barriers in the running world and is motivated to continue to be a mentor and role model for Black women and girls, as well as an example of longevity in the sport for masters runners.

Perry Shoemaker: Perry started training and racing competitively in her early 40’s, and by age 48, she qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon where she ran a personal best of 2:43:33 at the Eugene Marathon in 2019.  In 2023, Perry set a new American age division record at the USATF Masters 12K Championships, where she finished in 44:39 at age 52.  Locally, Perry was the overall women’s winner at the Marine Corps Marathon in 2016 and can often be spotted winning races around the DC area as a member of the Potomac River Running DC Elite Team. Perry has consistently excelled on the CUCB course as well.  Most notably, In 2016, she was among the top 10 American women in the race.  In addition to running, Shoemaker is a preschool teacher and a mom of three daughters, all of whom are competitive runners.

2:05 – 2:15 p.m.
Break

2:15 – 3:05 p.m.
Running and Touring the USA

Jenny Simpson, a 3-time Olympian, World Champion, Olympic medalist, and Team USA athlete, alongside her husband, Creative Director and marathoner Jason Simpson, are road tripping across America! Together with their two pups, Truman and Barkley, the couple have launched a new venture: The RUN USA Tour – a 50-week, 50-state adventure blending their love for running, travel, and community.

The tour is a fresh take on van life by focusing on America’s thriving running culture and the powerful connections it fosters. They are logging miles with run clubs and run specialty stories in every state as well as participating in races, visiting national parks, running iconic routes, and discovering hidden trails. Jenny and Jason aim to capture the heartwarming and inspiring essence of America through the eyes of runners.

Join us to hear about where the first three months of their journey have taken them and where they are headed next. Come to hear about what it’s like dropping in on new communities every week, living full time on the road, and what they’re discovering about themselves and our country. You can follow their journey on Instagram and Facebook @JennyandJasonRUNUSA.

3:05 – 3:15 p.m.
Break

3:15 –4:05 p.m.
Marathon Man Bill Rodgers

Join legendary runner Bill Rodgers as he takes you on a journey through his incredible career in the world of long-distance running. Known primarily for his dominance in the marathon during the 1970s and 80s, Bill will share personal stories and insights from his remarkable victories in the Boston and New York City marathons, as well as his record four wins at the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile. As one of the most influential figures in distance running history, Bill will share racing tips and strategy gleaned from years of experience, the racing mindset, and the lessons learned from decades of running at the highest level.

4:05 – 4:30 p.m.
Meet and Greet with Bill Rodgers
Meet running great Bill Rodgers! Bring your books/gear to be signed, or buy Bill’s memoir Marathon Man here at the Expo.