From crisis to community: Race director builds legacy for late sister
- Henry Howard
- 9m
- 5 min read
By Henry Howard
Jeremy Nicolosi is committed to keeping alive the memory and legacy of his late sister, Stephany, who passed away at age 33. The family donated her organs, saving eight lives.
“She was my hero. My warrior,” says Jeremy, who is the race director of Beast Trail Racing. “In a way to tell her story I found the Chris Klug Foundation, in which this amazing foundation brings awareness to organ, tissues, eyes and blood donations. Donors save lives.”
His path to directing trail and ultra races was a way for him to improve his own mental wellness while helping others. And now, Jeremy is looking at expanding his offerings with new races planned with options that would fit runners of all experience levels.
For his contributions to the trail and ultra running community he is my featured race director for November. In January 2024, I kicked off this monthly feature to pay tribute to the trail and ultra race directors who make the sport great. To see previous RDs featured, they are all available here. If you have any nominations, feel free to email me here or fill out this form.
Meet Jeremy Nicolosi, of Beast Trail Racing, a race director building legacy for his late sister
Question: Why did you get into race directing?
Answer: My goal was to introduce more people to ultra running and the trails. I want to make more of an effort to bring more people into this community. When I was dealing with a lot of lows in my life, what turned me around was being on the trails with an amazing community. Every one of them is trying to be their best as well as helping each other. What better way to get more people involved is to become a RD and start putting races on.
Question: How did you get your start as an RD?
Answer: My start was volunteering for some local races (Q50 Races) as well as being a crew member for two of my best friends, Scott and Kurt. I got to see more while crewing than racing. I thought this was something I could do and perform at a high level just like personal racing. Another friend, Ryan, kept telling me I need to start a race company. Once I get an idea in my head I just do it. I learn with experience.
Question: What's the most interesting thing you've learned about yourself since you became an RD?
Answer: Kurt said this to me right before a race I was hosting, “go change people’s lives. That is what it is all about.” He is 100% correct. I am changing other people’s lives through running. We are a community that helps build, not destroy. When they cross that finish line I am so grateful, humble and proud that I was part of their life experience, making memories with them.
Question: What's your best piece of advice for someone who wants to become an RD?
Answer: You will struggle with the fact you cannot please everyone. You will have times when everything is going right. Other times everything is going wrong. Don’t quit. Don’t get discouraged. Just keep your head up.
Question: What's your favorite race to direct?
Answer: Blue Ducky 5K Waddle. This race holds a special spot in my heart as it is a benefit run for my late sister and Chris Klug Foundation (CKF). My sister, Stephany Nicolosi, passed away in 2022. In her passing, my father, brother and I made a decision to donate her organs. In doing this act of love, Stephany was able to save eight lives. I like to imagine she is saving more lives. From those eight lives another life could be saved. More lives to be created out of her passing. She was 33 years young at the time of her passing. She was my hero. My warrior. In a way to tell her story I found the Chris Klug Foundation, in which this amazing foundation brings awareness to organ, tissues, eyes and blood donations. Donors save lives. This race is fully committed to bringing awareness and telling Stephany’s story. All of our registration fees go to CKF. Year one we raised $500. This year, year two, we raised $800. In 2026, our goal is to raise $1,000. My company pays the rest of the race.
Question: What's your favorite race to run?
Answer: Hell Hole 212. My first race after my sister’s passing in 2022. It was about a week after her passing. I ran the perfect race. Everything was right. I would say it was because of my guardian angel in my sister. I might have ran an extra 20 miles getting off course but I picked up first place overall and, at the time, a PR in my 200-mile race. During the 72 hours and 232 miles, she talked to me every minute. We made sure I did not die. From this moment is where I started to find a foundation to tell her story. We use this race to tell her story every day. Amazing race experience outside my emotional connection.
Question: Tell me about a funny experience as an RD and what you learned from it.
Answer: Don’t try to cook a pizza on a black stone. It was an epic fail and I had to turn to just cooking burgers. Instead of pizza for my first post-race meal, it was burgers and hot dogs. I tried to be unique and it turned in to a disaster. Funny part was that none of the runners cared. They just wanted something to eat after the race.
Question: If a runner can only do one of your races ever, it would be ...
Answer: Only one race I would say is Geaux Wild Ultra in Doyline, La. It is a 50-miler and 50K. This is my best and favorite logo design. The course is so beautiful at Lake Bistineau State Park. It is in March in Louisiana — the best weather time.
Question: What exciting project do you have in the works?
Answer: Two new races, one for Nebraska and another for Louisiana. In May, I am bringing Conquer the Beast, a last person standing race, to Hubbard, Neb., at Danish Alps. Conquer the Beast Louisiana will be in December. I am also creating Fridge Beast Feast, a three-day race weekend in Springfield, La. Eight distances over the three days: 150-miler, 102-miler, 75-miler, 51-miler, 33-miler, 15-miler, 6-miler and a 3-miler on a 3-mile loop..
Question: Where can runners find out more about your races?
