Race Ambassadors
We are pleased to announce that the ambassador program has returned for the 2026 Maine Community Bank Maine Marathon.
Now in its 10th year, the Race Ambassador program is meant to inspire, motivate and encourage runners. Race Ambassadors are super-fans of the Maine Marathon and are eager to share the event with others online and in real life. That might mean leading a group run, holding an information session outside of Maine, or sharing their training regime through social media.
Applications for this year are now closed.
2026 Ambassadors
Becca Redman (She/Her)
Born and raised in Portland, Becca worked in local coffee shops and took a sidequest to Buffalo before completing the teacher education program at the University of Southern Maine. She is currently the technology integrator for Richmond Schools.
Becca loves the wilderness, live music, and all things Star Wars. She lives in Gardiner with her wife (2019 Ambassador Rebecca Lovejoy), stepdaughter, three mischievous cats, and two rescue dogs.
If you asked Becca 5 years ago if she was a runner, she would have laughed. Now, she’ll tell you she loves running. That love took time (and a fair amount of stubbornness) to grow. She started in 2022, with the goal of running a 5k. At the time, running a mile without stopping was difficult. A couple months into training, a fractured femur sidelined her completely. This was a frustrating detour, but with the support of the running community, she worked her way back.
Since then, she’s run dozens of 5 & 10Ks, completed multiple half marathons (Maine and Millinocket), tackled the Back Cove Backyard Ultra, and participated in the Weekly Back Cove 5k series each summer.
For Becca, running isn’t about being fast. It’s about mental fortitude, showing up for yourself and having fun. As an ambassador, she hopes to share that message and encourage reluctant runners to take that first step. Once you get started, it’s amazing to discover what you are capable of.
This October, Becca will run her first full marathon.
Follow her training on Insta: @pleaseactnormal
Brandon Richards (He/Him)
Brandon hasn’t always been a runner. Back in 2016, he signed up for his first ever race, which happen to be the Maine Marathon. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. Luckily, he discovered the joys of running and changed his mind. Despite not being the best or fastest he still chooses to come out every year to run the marathon. This year will mark the 10th time running the Maine Marathon.
When not running marathons, he enjoys running races of shorter distances. He has been known to have some fun and run in costume. Each year he will do so at the MTC Turkey Trot (turkey), Moxie 5K (moxie can) and whatever race he can dress up as a lobster. His favorite part is getting a chance to interact with the runners and spectators in a way that he wouldn’t normally be able to. When not racing he enjoys running with his run group every week at Finish Strong PT. He is also a member of the Bath Iron Works corporate track team. When not running he enjoys hiking and playing pickleball.
Community is important to him. He wants to make sure to visit different run clubs around. To help with navigating this adventure Brandon has enlisted his sidekick Baxter the Dragon (named after Baxter Blvd.) to help tell the stories along the way. If you see either Brandon or Baxter on your travels make sure to say hello.
You can follow the duo on Instagram at @baxter.the.dragon
Hector Umana (He/Him)
Hector is a Boston-based runner, content creator, and community leader passionate about inspiring others through running. Over the past three years, he has completed the Maine Marathon twice, an experience that holds a special place in his journey. He is especially drawn to Maine for its unique blend of running, community, and connection with nature—something that motivates and recharges him every time he returns.
He is also the founder of a growing run club that brings together a diverse community of runners, with a strong focus on creating an inclusive and motivating space. Through his content and events, Hector encourages people of all levels to start running, stay consistent, and build both physical and mental strength.
As an aspiring running influencer, his mission is to inspire others to push their limits, connect with others, and discover the power of running in their everyday lives.
Hector is running the full this year and you can follow him on Instagram at @hector_ston
James DeMuro (He/Him)
James DeMuro, originally from Lyndhurst, NJ, moved to Portland, ME, in 2014 and has spent the past five years as an L.L. Bean employee. He began running casually in 2020 as a way to get outside during the pandemic, but it quickly grew into a deeper passion. In 2023, he joined the Valor Track Club and became a member of the Maine Track Club, finding a supportive and motivating community within both groups.
James has completed five marathons and plans to take on many more, with the long‑term goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. He credits his continued progress to the encouragement of friends and the guidance of his running coach, Paige, at Valor Track Club. Grateful for the kindness and camaraderie he’s found in the running community in and around Portland, James looks forward to giving back through his involvement with Valor and Maine Track club.
James is running the half this year and you can follow his running adventures on Instagram at @jamesdd_running
Keating Barlett (She/Her)
Keating is a Maine-based runner, content creator, and community advocate who is passionate about helping others discover the joy of movement. A self-described “later in life runner,” she began her running journey in 2021 after becoming a mom of two and looking for a way to reconnect with herself through fitness. What started as a personal goal quickly became a life-changing passion. Since then, she has completed multiple marathons, numerous half marathons, and is now training for her first ultramarathon.
Now more than three years sober, Keating credits running with helping transform her life through discipline, resilience, and purpose. She shares a realistic look at what it means to pursue big goals while balancing motherhood, training, and everyday life.
Keating is proud to serve as an ambassador for Marathon Sports and as a member of the Boston Athletic Association running community. She loves connecting with fellow runners, supporting local races, and highlighting the vibrant running culture throughout Maine and Boston.
When she is not training, Keating enjoys exploring Maine with her family, creating digital content, and encouraging others to chase big goals at any stage of life.
You can follow her on Insta at @mainelykeating as she trains for the marathon this year.
