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!

JEFF STEPHENS

Hometown:
Park City, Utah

How long have you lived in Carbondale?
16 years

Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
It’s the nearest town to Mount Sopris. 6160 is the ideal elevation and population.

Activities/Hobbies:
1. Trail running
2. Canyon rambling
3. Looking at maps

Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Curious
2. Hilarious
3. Awkward

Favorite Shoe:
Hoka Torrent

Favorite Local Trail:
Carbonate Creek

Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
Maps!

Gels, Chews, or Bars:
Chews

No-Show or Crew:
Crew

Favorite Movie:
Michael Clayton

Post-Adventure Meal:
Burrito

ELLERY SCHNEIDER

Hometown:
Sarasota, FL

How long have you lived in Carbondale?
7 months

Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale: Unbeatable access to special places and a community of like-minded people.

Activities/Hobbies:
1. Running
2. Backpacking
3. Snowboarding

Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Deliberate
2. Curious
3. Vigorous

Favorite Shoe:
New Balance 1080

Favorite Local Trail:
Capital Creek

Favorite Piece of Gear for Outdoor/Run:
Standard ball cap

Gels, Chews, or Bars:
Chews all day

No-Show or Crew:
Crew

Favorite Movie:
Burn After Reading

Post-Adventure Meal:
Scramble and pancakes

TISH O’KEEFE

Hometown:
West Wardsboro, VT

How long have you lived in Carbondale?
7 months

Favorite aspect(s) of Carbondale:
What I like about Carbondale is the access to great skiing, hiking and biking. Plus the weather is great.

Activities/Hobbies:
1. Hiking
2. Skiing
3. Biking

Describe yourself with three adjectives:
1. Dependable
2. Honest
3. Sensitive