Organizers

Board of Directors

The Tobacco Road Marathon is a 503(c) non-profit entity run by a group of volunteers. No member of the Board is paid as a result of this race. We are all a part of this race because of our love of running and a desire to share our experience with others.

President: Kazem Yahyapour
Vice President: Cid Cardoso
Secretary: Rebecca Warriner
Treasurer: Michael Yahyapour
Members: Mark Dill, Ben Dillon, Jon Flaherty, Tim Kirk, Kurt Sokolowski

Race Committee & Board of Director Bios

Kazem Yahyapour

Kazem is owner and president of Auto Dealers Investments Inc. Since 2001, Kazem has made a successful transition from the corporate high-tech world to running his own financial company. Kazem is president of the Wakefield High School Wolverine Athletic Booster Club and is a coach for Wakefield High School's cross country team. He is Co-Founder of City of Oaks Marathon and He is the race director for Wakefield high school's Students Against Drinking and Driving 5K race, organized to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. Kazem has a true passion for running. Diagnosed with coronary artery disease in 2002, Kazem started running to lose weight and improve his general health. Within four months, he ran his first marathon (Myrtle Beach) and, since then, has run an additional 15 marathons. His favorite is the Boston Marathon, which he finished 7 times. He will be at the starting line again next April 2012.

Cid L. Cardoso Jr.

Place of Birth: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Title: Owner, Founder, and President

Athletic Background: Age group swimming, USCF cycling in college

Years running: 21

Athletic History/Achievements:

Completed 18 Ironman races Completed Hawaii Ironman 6 times Fastest Ironman Race: 9 hr 47 min (Ironman Brazil 2001) Fastest Hawaii Ironman: 10:14 min (Ironman Hawaii 2005) North Carolina Triathlon Series 2006: 2nd place overall Pinehurst Triathlon 2006: 2nd place White Lake Sprint Triathlon 2006: 1st place Kerr Lake Triathlon 2006: 1st place 20 mile Umstead Trail Run 2006: 1st place Mt. Mitchell 40 Mile Run 2002, 2003 and 2004: 2nd place overall Umstead Trail Marathon 2004: 1st place overall Umstead Trail Marathon 2005: 3rd place overall North Carolina Triathlon Series 2000: 2nd place overall North Carolina Triathlon Series 2001: 3rd place overall Team Race Across America 1994: 3rd place overall Team Race Across America 1995: 2nd place overall

Rebecca Warriner

Rebecca has been involved in sports for as long as she can remember. Her official (aka recorded times) entry into races began in 1997 and she hasn't stopped since. Over the years she has built up from running 5k's to ultra marathons. Her heart is in triathlon where she has been competitive since 2000 in both Texas and North Carolina. In 2008 and 2010 she completed Ironman Louisville.

Rebecca has also taken her love of triathlons and running to the next level by organizing The BASF Smile Train Triathlon, a sprint-distance tri, that has raised over $115,000 for The Smile Train since it began in 2008. Her hobby/business is Turning Miles into Smiles. She focuses on developing smaller races that have an impact on both the local and global communities, all the while keeping the athletes aware of who they are helping. Her involvement in racing, fundraising, and increasing awareness of others in need and her energy for the sport is contagious!

She lives in Wake Forest with her husband, Richard, and their children, Polly and John.

Michael Yahyapour

Michael came on to the board in the summer of 2010, and serves as the treasurer of the TRM. He has helped plan and work 5k and 10k races, but this is his first marathon. He enjoys basketball, football, and most "sprint" distance races, and hopes to run the Tobacco Road Marathon in the near future. Michael majored in Accounting and Finance at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He works for Auto Dealers Investments and also runs his own Consulting business on the side. Michael is looking forward to many more years on the board of the Tobacco Road Marathon.

Ben Dillon

Ben has been running 26 years. Former President of North Carolina Roadrunners, he has been involved with race management in the Triangle area for almost 20 years. He has run 29 marathons (3:36 pr) and 12 ultramarathons (9:32) for Umstead 50 and 25:59 for Umstead 100). He manages packet pickup at the expo and bag check race day and helps with many other facets of the event. If you see license plate "GOTTARUN", that's him.

Jon Flaherty

Jon Flaherty is an Alliance Director for SAS Institute and is leading the efforts to jointly build out an Analytics Academy with Accenture. About to celebrate his 27th year with SAS, Jon attributes much of his success in running and fitness to the corporate environment SAS has provided over his career with the company.

Promotion of fitness has always been emphasized within SAS, and it was in 1989 when Jon ran his first marathon, the US Marine Corps Marathon. Since that time he has averaged at least one marathon a year. Highlights in his running career were his first marathon PR(2:48) set in Boston in 1996, and later to be broken in Chicago in 2001 with a 2:46 finishing time. Additionally, he is a World Duathlon qualifier and has gone on to compete in Ultra events.

A graduate of NC State, he resides in Apex with his wife and two daughters.

Tim Kirk

Tim has been actively involved in planning and volunteering in numerous races in Massachusetts and North Carolina. He also has enjoyed coaching his sons in multiple sports including coaching his youngest son, as an unattached runner, to the national finals of Junior Olympics in cross country.

After years of unhealthy living, Tim made a drastic change to his lifestyle and began running marathons in 2004 with the Baystate Marathon. As a runner, Tim has raced all distances from 5K through ultra-marathon. He has run several marathons and is a three time Boston Marathon finisher, with a PR of 3:34. With age, came a slower pace for Tim; so recently, he discovered the joys of ultra-marathons and looks forward to challenging himself with ever-increasing distance.

Tim resides in Raleigh with his wife, Caryn, and their two sons, Ryan and Evan, all of whom also are competitive long distance runners.

FS Series: Timing Partner

Brent Dorenkamp

Brent Dorenkamp was born in Atlanta, Ga and attended Northern High School in Durham, NC. After high school he enlisted in the military and served during the 1st Gulf War. Following his commitment to the Army, he attended East Carolina from 1993-1998 where he received his BS in Exercise Sports Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine. Brent completed his internship at Duke and began working in the medical field after passing National Board Certification and becoming a Licensed Athletic Trainer in the state of NC. He has been the East Wake and Wakefield High School Athletic Trainer over the last ten years. While teaching sports medicine, he earned his Masters in Health Education.

During his career at East Wake High School he started competing in triathlons and other running events. His passion for triathlons leads him to compete in sprint and half ironman distance races.

Jason Biggs

Jason Biggs was born in Fayetteville, NC and attended Lakewood High School in Roseboro, NC. He received a BS in Sports Management and MS in Technology Education with a MS Minor in Sports Management from North Carolina State University from 1993-2001. Jason was punter for NCSU from 1993-1998 and Graduate Assistant football coach from 1998-2001.

After graduating from NCSU, Jason became a teacher and assistant football coach at South Brunswick High School in Boiling Springs, NC. After 1 year, Jason accepted the position as Head Football Coach at West Bladen High School in Bladenboro, NC. Jason then accepted a position at East Wake High School in Wendell, NC. He coached football and taught Technology Education for 3 years. While working at East Wake, Jason became the Athletic Director for 2 years. He started various new programs including the Fabulous 40 Board and Hall of Fame. In January 2008, Jason became a full time employee of FS Series.

Jason spends his time racing marathons, half marathons, triathlons and cyclcross!

Marc Primanti

Marc Primanti was born in Willingboro, NJ and attended Coatesville High School in Coatesville, PA. After high school he moved to Raleigh, NC where he joined the NC State football team as an invited walk-on kicker. Three long years later it would all pay off as he earned a full scholarship and became a 2-year starter for the Wolfpack. During his career he would set many records in the ACC and NCAA that still stand today. He was tabbed a Consensus 1st Team All-American and Lou Groza Award winner in 1996 (given annually to the nations top kicker). Before leaving NC State he would earn his degree in Business Management.

Marc has over 10 years experience in sales/marketing that help in the day-to-day operations of FS Series. Our main goal is to provide a great experience for everyone that attends our events!