01.26

Anna Kenig-Ziesler

DWRunning Tenure:

Joined in December 2025

PRs: 

Mile: 4:53, 3k: 9:26, 5k: 16:15, 8k: 26:43, 10k: 34:23, 10M: 55:18, Half Marathon: 1:13:44, Marathon: 2:35:25

Social Handles:

IG: @annakz33

Long-Term Running Goals:

Continue to chase PRs across distances and run in the elite field of a major marathon one day!

Running Role Model:

I grew up obsessed with soccer and played soccer through college. I was fortunate enough to be allowed to walk onto the track team in the winter of my senior year (despite having never run a competitive race and no times to show), and I have never looked back. I always thought that I would never love anything as much as soccer, but I could not have been more wrong!

Fun Facts:

  • I'm entitled to citizenship in four countries.

  • I've been vegetarian for 18 years (since second grade!) and vegan for 6 years.

  • I have a cat named Zoey, who is an adorable tripod.

Track or Trails?:

Both!

Morning or Afternoon?:

Morning

Solo or With Friends?:

With Friends

Summer or Winter?:

Summer

Bolded PRs are PRs run while training with DWRunning.

Katie Anstandig

DWRunning Tenure:

Joined in January 2026

PRs: 

8k: 29:01, Half Marathon: 1:21:38, Marathon: 2:52:07

Social Handles:

IG: katie_anstandig

Running Start:

I started running XC in high school when I couldn't cut it as a varsity soccer player and to get in shape for softball. I'd seen my older brother run XC and track, so I knew it was a sport that rewarded work ethic, even if you were on the smaller side.

I continued running XC at Denison University, a DIII college in Ohio. My coach persuaded me to join the track team in the spring. Running year-round for the first time made a big difference and I went from a middle-of-the-pack runner to an All American. In 2009 I won the North Coast Athletic Conference Championship and the Great Lakes Regional Championship, and placed sixth at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Nationals. On the track, I set the school records for the 5k (17:05) and the 10k (35:16).

Now, as a parent of 2, I am following in my dad's footsteps and trying to juggle life with early morning runs and marathon training.

Running Role Model:

My dad. He may not be an elite runner, but he had the strongest work ethic. A lawyer and a dad of 4, he made time to marathon train and often brought me along for runs. We would wake up at 5 am to run before school/work. And we always finished runs sprinting up an awful hill we dubbed "St Moritz." He researched workouts and brought me to the track with a stop watch to try them out together. I'll never forget a particularly difficult ladder workout called the "Michigan."

Fun Facts:

  • I was an NCAA Woman of the Year finalist in 2011.

  • I had a pre-kids career at NBC Sports (meeting Olympic athletes was an inspiration) and the Chicago Wolves managing corporate sponsorships.

  • I'm a gardening aficionado, and in 2022 our garden was selected to be on the Arlington Heights Garden Walk.

Track or Trails?:

Both!

Morning or Afternoon?:

Morning!

Solo or With Friends?:

With Friends

Summer or Winter?:

Summer

Bolded PRs are PRs run while training with DWRunning.

Ivan Diaz

DWRunning Tenure:

Joined in January 2026

PRs: 

Half Marathon: 1:34, Marathon: 3:37

Social Handles:

IG: @diazzivann30

Most Memorable Race:

5k track race junior year of college: first winter I added lifting and strength training. The strongest a race ever felt and I ran my lifetime 5k PR.

Running Start:

I joined track my freshman year of highschool to stay in shape for soccer. All my friends from third grade joined, and they invited me to do cross country, never looked back since then!

Fun Facts:

  • I teach and coach cross country / track at the highschool I graduated from.

  • My first ever sport was karate at the age of 7.

  • I didn't own a phone until the age of 17 (this was rare amongst people I grew up with!).

Track or Trails?:

Trails

Morning or Afternoon?:

Morning

Solo or With Friends?:

With Friends

Summer or Winter?:

Summer

Bolded PRs are PRs run while training with DWRunning.