Ascend Trail Running

Train. Explore. Ascend.

Ascend Vision & Values

Vision
Ascend is a structured, trail-focused training community where runners of all backgrounds work toward individual goals through shared effort. Whether you are new to trail running or looking to PR at an ultra-distance, we offer clear programming, steady support, and an inclusive atmosphere that values commitment and hard work.

Training Philosophy
We emphasize consistency, progression, and long-term development. Workouts have clear objectives and teach pacing, effort management, and core trail skills. 

Community Philosophy

Community is at the heart of who we are. Running together creates accountability, connection, and a shared sense of purpose. We build community through shared experiences, supporting one another’s goals, encouraging personal growth, and respecting runners of all abilities. We believe everyone has something unique to offer, and we celebrate goals ranging from first trail races to long ultras.

Values

  1. Trail Identity: Ascend is first and foremost a trail running group. Trails shape our identity, our programming, and the experience we create together.
  2. Purposeful Training: Our training is structured, progressive, and intentional. This provides athletes with direction, strengthens community, and supports long-term development.
  3. Shared Leadership: Ascend thrives when leadership is shared. All team members help design and lead workouts, guide long runs, and support newcomers.
  4. Sustainability: Long-term health matters for both leaders and athletes. Each training block includes an intentional cutback week so runners can absorb training and stay healthy. 
  5. Community Strength: We welcome newcomers, runners of all paces, and developing athletes while maintaining a focused, hardworking culture.

the Ascend team

Ascend is led by a collaborative group of athletes who share responsibility for the training experience and the community. Leadership is distributed, allowing multiple perspectives to shape the program while maintaining structure.

Team members contribute across core areas including workout design, long-run guidance, athlete support, and community coordination. Weekly sessions have clear objectives, and runs are led by athletes who understand the terrain, allowing participants to focus on the training itself.

Matt Ho

Founder / Coach

In 2024 Matt formed Ascend Trail Running. After years of competitive sports and outdoor activities, Matt shifted his focus to creating an inclusive trail and ultra-running community in Sonoma County. This new chapter in his athletic journey allowed him to reconnect with his inner athlete and experience the serenity of moving through nature. Trail running quickly became a transformative pursuit, giving him a sense of peace and fulfillment. Since embracing long-distance trail running, Matt has completed events such as the Lake Sonoma 55K, Salt Point 50K, Bogus Basin 50-Miler in Idaho, Lake Sonoma 50-Miler, Marin Ultra Challenge 50-Miler, Rio Del Lago 100, and Tahoe Rim Trail 100.

Matt is deeply committed to helping others achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. Known for his energy, dedication, compassion, and humor, he’s a source of encouragement and positivity for runners tackling ultra distances. Off the trails, Matt works as an arborist, and spends time with his loyal dog Charlie.

Carly Bryant

Pace Leader / Coach

Carly has been an athlete her entire life, beginning with soccer and basketball in her youth, followed by cycling, running, and coaching Orangetheory Fitness classes after college. In 2024, she dove into the world of ultrarunning, completing her first 55k at the California Fall Classic. She’s officially hooked on the sport.

A Sonoma County native, Carly is passionate about building a strong and supportive community through Ascend Trail Running. Known for her infectious positivity and unwavering optimism, she thrives on encouraging others and helping them achieve the seemingly impossible. When she’s not on the trails, Carly is busy keeping up with her energetic four-year-old and one-year-old daughters. She’s committed to inspiring more women to explore the sport of trail running and hopes to teach her girls the invaluable lessons of grit, resilience and joy she discovers every time she laces up.

Rodrigo Vargas

Pace Leader / Coach

Rodrigo has been a passionate runner since his middle school days, turning his love for the sport into a lifelong pursuit. While he enjoys exploring trails during his weekly long runs, his true passion lies on the road and track, where he specializes in distances from 1500 meters to the half marathon. Rodrigo thrives on the intensity of track workouts, though he’s not one to shy away from the occasional adventure, like tackling the Islands in the Sky loop.

Over the years, Rodrigo has embraced challenges on and off the road, including the Mendocino Coast 50k and the Lake Sonoma 55k. Yet, his favorite race remains the Berkeley Half Marathon each November, where he has achieved an impressive personal best of 1:12. Beyond running, Rodrigo loves the camaraderie of post-run brunch, combining good food with great company.

Cruz Esparza

Pace Leader / Coach

Cruz Esparza grew up in Santa Rosa and brings his passion for running, community, and family to Ascend Trail Running. A professional barber and former soccer player and boxer, Cruz discovered trail running and quickly rose to new challenges, going from a 5k to a 50k in just one year. His race highlights include the Windsor Half Marathon, Salmon Falls Half Marathon (where he placed 3rd in his age group), the Golden State Trail Run 35k, Lake Sonoma Fall Classic 55k, and the Doomsday 50k.

Off the trails, Cruz loves spending time with his 12-year-old daughter Kylie, his two dogs Koda and Maya, and raising sheep on his ranch. His goal with Ascend Trail Running is to foster strong community bonds and help others crush their goals.

Evelin Ramirez

Pace Leader / Coach

Evelin Ramírez began running in high school, competing in the 400m, 800m, and mile before continuing her athletic career at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she specialized in the 800m, 1500m, and 4×400 relay. In 2021, she completed her first ultramarathon, the Mt. Tam 50K, and has since added several trail races to her resume, including the Lake Sonoma 50-miler and the LS CFC 50K in 2023. She has also run multiple half marathons, including the Santa Rosa Half Marathon.

Evelin is passionate about building community through running and finds purpose in helping others stay consistent and reach new goals. She brings a positive, encouraging presence to every group run and believes deeply in the power of showing up and having fun.

Outside of running, Evelin enjoys climbing with friends, spending time with her sister Jackie and niece Genesis, and adventuring with her three beloved dogs: Derly, Juma, and Bobby.

Doug Keehner 

Pace Leader / Coach

Doug “DJ” Keehner started running in early 2023. In less than two years, he went from heel-striking along the SMART train path to joyfully finishing a 33-mile trail race in the middle of an atmospheric river. Some of his favorite events so far include the Portland Marathon, Lake Sonoma Marathon, Annadel 10K, and IPA 10K.

More than races or mileage, DJ cares most about building community—through encouragement, understanding, and showing up for others during tough moments. Whether running or volunteering, he finds meaning in helping others take on challenges they once thought were out of reach.

When he’s not in the office or out on the trails, DJ can be found hanging out with his two cats—Kitty Girl and Simone—or watching bad reality TV with his partner, who patiently tolerates his post-run stretching rituals.

Scott Atchison

Training Coordinator

Scott Atchison discovered running in 2020 as a way to stay active and improve fitness during the pandemic. His journey began with apps like Couch to 5K, eventually leading him to Sacramento Fleet Feet’s training programs and the Trail Heads Training Group. Trail running quickly became a passion, and Scott has since completed several ultramarathons, including Salmon Falls 50K, Cool Moon 50-miler twice, Doomsday 50K twice, Rattlesnake Dick 50K, Cool Moon 100K, and Javelina 100K. A proud advocate for back-of-the-pack runners, he finds joy in supporting first-time trail runners as they pursue their goals.

Professionally, Scott is a training coordinator for the state, where he collaborates with subject matter experts to design and implement effective training programs. He brings this expertise to Ascend by helping with logistics and web-design in the hope that it will bring more runners to the trails. At home, Scott enjoys life with his supportive wife, Ysabel, and their three senior pets: Noodle, Boogie, and Trey.