Leaders

Dr. Pat Castle is the president & founder of the largest Pro-Life team in the world with over 10,300 members ages .1 to 101 in 50 states and 36 nations. Pat is an inspiring and unifying force for Pro-Life through faith, activism, courts, education. He encountered St. Padre Pio during the Pikes Peak Ascent which inspired him to form the LIFE Runners Team. He completed the Notre Dame Vita Institute and is a 4th degree Knight. Pat cofounded the Law of Life Summit and the A-Cross America Relay. He served as a pregnancy help center chairman and is an advisor for Sidewalk Advocates. Pat directed youth retreats, Engaged Encounter, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and RCIA. He grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from the Air Force Academy. Pat earned a PhD in nano-analytical chemistry from the U of IL at Urbana. He did ten military assignments, including the Weapons of Mass Destruction defense officer at the base closest to Osama bin Laden on Sep 11th. He briefed Generals and members of Congress. While an Air Force Academy chemistry professor, Pat developed the ethics curriculum and coached the marathon team. Since retiring as a medical squadron commander, he taught high school chemistry, served as an industry executive, and now speaks across America. Pat raced 21 marathons, bests are Marine Corps (2:53), Boston (2:59), Pikes Peak (17th), Great Wall of China (2nd). Pat, Angi, and daughters live in NE.  “All In Christ for Pro-Life!” FB. pat@liferunners.org

Paul Westendorf (2013): operations director. Paul works for a financial and technology services organization in Sioux Falls, SD. Paul’s pro-life foundation story is similar to many people in that it was developed by his surroundings. Paul’s hometown is the rural community of Wagner, SD.  He grew up in a strong Christian surrounding as a member of St. John’s Catholic Church there. Many First Friday Masses and religious education classes were attended at St John’s. Additional LIFE influences came from Paul’s mom as she was a nurse her whole career and another close relative who was a founding member of the South Dakota Right to Life back in 1973.  He was on the Alpha Center 5K committee in 2012 and helped add a running portion into their fund raising event. He assisted in organizing the Sioux Falls chapter runners to fill in relay legs for the South Dakota portion of the 1st Annual LIFE Runners “A-Cross the Country Relay for Pro-Life” event of which he ran over 30 miles.  He also assisted in coordinating the 4,000-mile Relay finish line events that took place on March 24, 2013 (Palm Sunday) at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. Paul’s family includes wife Jacquie, and two sons Ryan and Micah. Jer 1:5. paulw@liferunners.org

T.D. Dorrell (2015): events coordinator. T.D. and husband Michael have 6 children and 4 grandchildren. She is a stay-at-home mom after “retiring” from Hallmark Corp to raise a family. TD qualified for Boston in both of her marathons and has raced several half-marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks. Listening to Catholic radio while running country roads in rural Kansas in 2012, she heard an interview with Dr. Pat Castle, LIFE Runners president and co-founder. She instantly felt a newfound, God-driven purpose to her running. She sprinted home and immediately joined LIFE Runners and eventually started a chapter in Johnson County KS. Shortly after, she had 3 surgeries on her foot in a little over a year which brought her running to a screeching halt. But through it all she realized it wasn’t the running that was important—running was the avenue which led to her Pro-Life devotion. She participates in 40 Days for Life and regularly prays at Planned Parenthood for those mothers, fathers and families who feel they have no choice when faced with an unplanned pregnancy (Phil 4:13) and healing for those who have made the choice to terminate a pregnancy (Psalm 51). Since joining LIFE Runners, she has attended several national LR events and feels that being with her LIFE Runner teammates is like being with family. God first, Life always, teammates forever!! td@liferunners.org

Scott Casmer (2013): finance officer. Scott gained an interest in the Pro-Life movement while studying to become Catholic in 1998. As part of the men’s formation group that eventually led to the inception of the LIFE Runners, he has been involved since the beginning.  Scott grew up in Southern California, where he lived until he graduated from college and moved to Atlanta for graduate school. He earned multiple degrees in engineering and business before moving to Colorado Springs in 1997, where he currently works in national defense.  While in college, Scott met his wonderful future bride, Susan, and got married in 1997. They’ve been blessed with two daughters who bring joy to each day. The whole family enjoys running in the thin air of Colorado.  Scott has found that the half marathon is his ideal race for year-round training and competition. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, hiking, camping, dirtbiking, and fishing. James 1:12. scott@liferunners.org

Karen Patnaude (2015): communications officer. Karen loves being a stay at home wife and mother to spend time caring for their miracle daughter, Ella Mae. Her husband Ryan, gave his career as a pilot to God, and they have since been blessed with the opportunity to travel the world. God called Karen to the mission in 2012 when she saw LIFE Runners at the Run Crazy Horse half marathon. Karen led the Rapid City Chapter under her mentor, Dr. Patrick Castle. From there, God called her family to Fiji. Shortly after arriving, Karen had the privilege to introduce LIFE Runners to her church. The seed that was planted has grown into hundreds of teammates across the islands of Fiji as they have committed to being the voice for the Unborn and work to empower women and families in their local communities and churches. For Karen, LIFE Runners is the ministry that God has placed on her heart. Her deep desire is to see LIFE Runners in every country. Karen has raced many 5K’s, 10K’s and a few half-marathons but her passion is for the long run. She loves the way marathons challenge her to trust God on a deeper level and build endurance for the mission ahead. She believes that running is a gift from God and does not take it for granted. Since moving to Fiji she has had the privilege to speak at women’s conferences and in churches on the devastation of abortion.  On occasion she also leads purity sessions for the youth in local youth groups.  Along side her teammates and family, she is passionate about shining the light into the darkness of abortion and bringing the truth of the value of purity to the youth. Her family is committed to serve the Lord in everything they do. Heb 12:1. karen@liferunners.org

Jeff Grabosky (2013): relay director. Jeff grew up in New Jersey and earned Finance and Theology degrees at the University of Notre Dame. In 2011, he completed a solo and unsupported 3,700-mile run across America. During this journey, Jeff ran while praying for intentions people sent him from all over the world.  He became only the 23rd person to cross the country in this manner and is just the 43rd person to complete an ocean to ocean run, finishing with one of the longest routes in history while averaging more than 30 miles a day over the four-month journey. His book, Running with God Across America, was published in 2012 and details his prayerful journey. Jeff has also worked in the insurance and running specialty industries.  He currently lives in Florida with his wife, Mary, and three children. jeffg@liferunners.org

Grant Fenske (2015): healing ministry coordinator. In 2011 Grant started a LIFE Runners chapter in Lafayette, Louisiana. His goal in life is to spread the peace and love of our Lord through prayer and humility. Grant is in his second year of study to become a Third Order Dominican. He is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus who has a strong devotion to the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration. Grant has experienced numerous encounters with Christ in his international travels. He has lead retreats for Christ Renews His Parish. For eight years Grant hosted a program on Radio Maria called “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” that was broadcast throughout LA. Grant graduated from Saint John’s Prep High School in Condado, Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Southwest Louisiana in 1986 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Personnel Management. Grant worked for 3M Company for 25 years, and then started a company in Houma, LA where he resides. He helps organize races that support Pro-Life efforts. Grant is thankful to be running again after nearly dying of a rare bacteria that attacked his heart. Grant sees the National LIFE Runners Team as a family joined with the life-saving mission of sharing The Good News with love and compassion. grant@liferunners.org

Bishop (elect) Joe Coffey (2017): Spiritual Advisor. Fr. Joe is on active duty with the US Navy Chaplain Corps, currently serving at the Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. A native of Philly, PA Fr. Joe was in the seventh grade when the infamous Roe V. Wade decision was handed down by our Supreme Court. He clearly remembers his parents telling their 9 children at the dinner table that this was a terrible decision for our Country. For many years he attended the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., while in high school, college, and as a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia. Before entering the seminary in the late 1980’s Fr. Joe was a leader in the Philadelphia chapter of Operation Rescue. They prayed, sang, and rescued countless unborn children by peacefully blocking the doors of Planned Parenthood and other abortion facilities. He was arrested many times and spent time in jail for his Pro-Life convictions. Fr. Joe continues to pray the rosary at Planned Parenthood in San Diego while sidewalk counselors offer real help for women in crisis. He will continue to advocate for all human life, and is confident that Roe will one day be overturned and abortion will be, in the words of Fr. Frank Pavone, not only illegal but unthinkable.  frjoe@liferunners.org