We’re proud of the staff at Independence Run and Hike,
and our place in the running community in Carbondale
We are a team of dedicated and passionate experts ready to help with running shoes, trails, and outdoor adventures. If you are interested in joining our staff, fill out an application. We’d love to hear from you.
BRION AFTER, OWNER
Hometown:
Grew up in Rochester, NY but have lived in the valley since 2000!!
How long have you lived in Carbondale?
Carbondale- Since 2013, Basalt- 9 years, Aspen 4 years
Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
Just constantly running into friends, its such a nice small town, I feel like everyone is my neighbor! Also, (of course) access to the great outdoors and more laid back vibe than other towns in the valley.
Activities/Hobbies:
1. Golf
2. Run
3. Hike
4. Tele Ski
5. Skate Ski
6. Mtn Bike
7. Throw touchdown passes to my son
8. Hug my daughter
7. Jam out to Phish
8. Obsess over the Buffalo Bills finally winning a Super Bowl!
(couldn’t limit it to 3)
Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Boring
2. Old
3. Dad
4. Most of the time
(are #3 & 4 adjectives?)
Favorite Shoe:
Changes every week! Right now… Asics NovoBlast… last week Speedgoat… when hiking Ultra Raptor
Favorite Local Trail:
EAST CREEK!!!
Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
My new (old) camper…
or my Dri-Clime windshirt,
or my Aftershokz,
or my new Tele Skis,
or any piece of wool clothing…
Gels, Chews, or Bars:
Gels
No-Show or Crew:
No-Show
Favorite Movie:
Big Lebowski or Say Anything
Post-Adventure Meal:
PB&J (lots of PB) & Ramen (salt!!)
(hopefully too tired for anything else)
Zack Russell, Shop Manager
Hometown:
Atlanta, Georgia
How long have you lived in the valley and where?
2 years, Carbondale
Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
Community and Pizza
Describe Yourself with 3 Adjetives:
1. Adventurous
2. Single
3. Never A Dull Moment
Activities:
1. Running
2. Biking 3.Baking
Favorite Shoe:
North Face Vectiv Pro (Trail ) and New Balance Fuelcell Super Comp Trainer (Road)
Favorite Local Trail:
Undie – The Crown
Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
Ombraz Glasses
Gels, Chews, or Bars: ALL!
-Neversecond Gels
Hat or Visor:
Visor
Favorite Althete:
Anton Krupika
Fun Fact:
I am a self proclaimed great baker.
THEO CHARLES
Hometown: El Jebel – which is NOT Basalt
How long have you lived in Carbondale?
I grew up here, (DVT Represent ) but moved after college and came back in 2023
Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
Sopris in the fall, the view from Mushroom Rock, Lake days at Dinkle, and late night hangs at Beerworks
Describe yourself with three adjectives:
A Red Flag
Activities/ Hobbies:
1 . DJing and general music geekery
2. Snowboarding
3. Training my battalion of cats to take over Carbondale *laughs maniacally*
Favorite Shoe:
Asics GT 2000 for road, Hoka Speedgoat for trail
Favorite Local Trail:
Mushroom Rock, Crater Lake, Ute Trail, and the chocolate berry trail mix at City Market
Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
Can’t go wrong with anything from 686 and a plain black beanie.
Gels, Chews, or Bars:
Gels and coffee
No-Show or Crew:
No-Show all day
Favorite Movie:
Movie: Eternal Sushine of the Spotless Mind
Favorite Album: Nirvana’s Nevermind (Give Up by The Postal Service is a close 2nd )
Favorite Book: Threeway Tie between Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, Joseph Heller’s Catch 22, and George Orwell’s 1984
TREY MILLER
Hometown:
Woody Creek, CO
How long have you lived in the valley and where?
40 years – Woody Creek and Basalt
Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
Having the outdoors at my fingertips
Activities/Hobbies:
1. Hiking
2. Biking
3. Rafting, Skiing, Climbing, Golf, anything outside
Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Goofball
2. Spontaneous
3. Outgoing
Favorite Shoe:
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II
Favorite Local Trail:
American Lake at Maroon Bells
Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
Garmin – In Reach
Gels, Chews, or Bars: ALL!
-Bars
No-Show or Crew:
Crew
Favorite Movie:
The Big Lebowski
Post-Adventure Meal:
Bonee in pork chops with mased potatoes and asparagus
Michelle Smith -Buyer, Marketing
Hometown:
Columbia, Maryland
How long have you lived in the Roaring Fork Valley?
Since 2012
Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
Small town vibe, the community, and mountain access.
Activities/Hobbies:
1. Mountain Sports (mainly trail running, mountain biking and snowboarding)
2. Film-making
3. Being a mom to my two hellion kids
4. Watching the family of raccoons that live under my backyard storage shed.
Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Passionate
2. Resilient
3. Free-spirited ( when I can let my self chill out a bit)
Favorite Shoe:
Currently the Hoka Stinson 7 – but always changing
Favorite Local Trail:
4 pass loop
Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
Shorts
Gels, Chews, or Bars: All!
Gels – Spring, Chews – Skratch, Bars – Naak
No-Show or Crew:
Crew to exercise in, no-show all other times
Favorite Movie:
Into the Wild – or any character driven film where the protagonist rebels agains the conforms of society;)
Post-Adventure Meal:
Pizza and Beer
Will Fisher
Hometown:
Buffalo, NY
How long have you lived in Carbondale?
7 years
Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale: To see the divine touch of the mundane on a daily basis.
Activities/Hobbies:
1. Trail Running
2. Nordic Skiing, Ski Mountaineering
3. Climbing, Weightlifting, Rowing
Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Preacher
2. Teacher
3. Beast
Favorite Shoe:
Hoka Speedgoat
Favorite Local Trail:
Arbaney Kittle Trail
Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
My TTFA tool is my favorite safety tool for any backcountry run or adventure
Gels, Chews, or Bars:
Honey Stinger Waffles
No-Show or Crew:
I’ll row in any seat, any boat, and pull my f’n hardest
Favorite Movie:
Princess Bride
Post-Adventure Meal:
Brewben, blasted broccoli, and an IPA from CBW
Shanna Bordner
Staff Profile Coming Soon!
Jon Childs
Staff Profile Coming Soon!
Liza Henry
Staff Profile Coming Soon!