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)
KYLE JONES, MANAGER
Hometown:
Austin, TX
How long have you lived in Carbondale?
Since June, 2021
Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
The sense of community, the milder weather than that of a true mountain town, and its proximity to so much wilderness on all four sides.
Activities/Hobbies:
1. Running
2. Mountain and gravel biking
3. Recovering
Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Extroverted
2. Introverted
3. Passionate
Favorite Shoe:
Hoka Speedgoat EVO
Favorite Local Trail:
Silver Creek (out of Marble)
Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
Trucker hat
Gels, Chews, or Bars: ALL!
-Gels: Maurten
-Chews: Clif Blocs
-Bars: Pro Bars
No-Show or Crew:
Crew (must maintain tan line!)
Favorite Movie:
Fletch
Post-Adventure Meal:
Any and all pastries, including Pop-Tarts!
Michelle Smith
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
Graham Laird
Staff Profile Coming Soon!
Brooke Coon
Staff Profile Coming Soon!
Jon Amdur
Staff Profile Coming Soon!