Meet Our Experienced Team of Running Enthusiasts
Desiree Van Horn
Co-Owner
Desiree has always been active and enjoyed working out but did not start running until 2010 when a friend asked her to run a half marathon. She signed up for a 5k beforehand just to see what a road race felt like and decided if she could do that, she could run a half. Not only did she love it but has run 23 half marathons & a lot of obstacle course races, and the Pink Power Sprint Tri! Whenever asked why Desiree works at Lucky Road, she always answers “I married the owner!”. Desiree previously worked in real estate and loved assisting her clients with finding their dream homes, now her focus has shifted in helping people find their dream shoes. Her favorite part of helping people find the right shoe is knowing that she is helping them reach their goals. She loves the relationship building and when clients come back and tell us all about their success with races and achieving their personal goals!
Desiree Van Horn, Owner
MICHAEL GEORGE
Michael George started running when he was 35 and since then has completed 25-30 marathons and over 20 ultras. He has been on the Richmond Road Runners board of directors since 1990. You may see him at the finish line of many of the Richmond races as he is the race director of the Patrick Henry Half Marathon and the Turkey Trot and the Start/Finish Line timing coordinator for the Richmond Marathon, Monument Ave. 10k and numerous RRRC events. Michael retired in February of 2018 and immediately started working for Lucky Road providing his expertise and excellent taste in music.
Michael George, Fit Expert
SARAH GOLIGHTLY
Sarah started running seriously around 2017 to join her husband and calls herself a true “back-of-the-packer”. At first, she did not enjoy running, but it wasn’t until she was persuaded to join a couple of running groups to find her people and her stride. Sarah started working for Lucky Road in 2019 and joined the team because she was treated with the same care and respect as the “fast” runners and enjoys learning from customers every day.
Sarah Golightly, Fit Expert
Rachel King
Rachel King, Buyer, Primary location Fredericksburg
Rachel joined the Lucky Road family in August 2021. In my role at Lucky Road I'm able to help people with their health and wellness goals and serve our running and walking community. I'm not a salesperson. I'm someone who is happy to help make recommendations, learn, listen, and encourage others to find success on their fitness journey! After college I started running as a way to stay healthy and active. I've never been a fast runner but that hasn't stopped me from learning everything I can about running and sharing my passion for running with others. A year later, I found myself running my first marathon and quickly fell in love with the sport and the community! My goals are to grow old with running, have running adventures and to run a marathon in every state.
Rachel King, Buyer
Kleigh Koupal
When Gabby was 8 years old, she started running with her Dad on some of his training runs and completed her first 8K alongside him that year. She fell in love with running and hasn't stopped since. Gabby enjoys running for the mental clarity and endurance challenges it brings. Her goal is to complete a half-marathon in every state. She joined Lucky Road in May 2023 and love the personalized approach to fitness. Helping others on their unique fitness journeys is very rewarding!
Gabby Postma, Store Manager FXBG
Sara Pickett
Sara started running as a child on a club team and all through high school. After that it became an on and off again relationship depending on which half marathon had the best swag. Since moving to Richmond recently and making running friends, it's been full force on. They even peer pressured her into signing up for her first full marathon this year (2024).
To make running her entire identity, she was fortunate enough to be brought on to the Lucky Road team. The hope is to make any form of exercise you choose, part of your identity too!
Sara Pickett, Fit Expert
Caroline Campbell, Store Manager Fredericksburg
Caroline joined the Lucky Road team in May 2023. She started running in middle school just doing 5ks with her parents. In High School she ran cross country and track, being a varsity runner in both sports. Currently, Caroline is running for fun, working on getting my mileage where she wants it to be! She choose to work at Lucky Road because it allows her to help and encourage everyone on their running or walking journey. She loves working at Lucky Road where there is a sense of community how kind the oweners, co-workers & clients are!
Caroline Campbell, Store Manager FXBG
Kat Frame, Store Manager RVA
Kat has worked at Lucky Road since April 2024 but has been part of the Richmond running community since 2021. Her favorite aspect of working at Lucky Road is the inclusive atmosphere and the genuinely kind people she gets to work with and for. Her go-to daily trainer is the New Balance 880. A fun fact about Kat is that she didn’t start running until her thirties, and she had no idea how much it would shape the course of her life from that moment on! Kat is truly an expert at all things running!
Kat Frame, Store Manager RVA
Mark Tickner, Store Manager RVA
Mark has worked at Lucky Road for 4 years and has been able to succesfully manage Carytown, Willow Lawn & Midlothian. He loves working at Lucky Road Run Shop because it is family owned and operated and sees how the company strives to lead with kindness and have family values. Mark is an experienced cyclist and coaches in his free time. Mark often bikes or runs to work, sometimes completing a half marathon before his day even gets started! His favorite daily trainer is the Hoka Mach 6. Mark will try to sell you HOKA when you work with him and it is okay to ask him to bring you other brands to try. A fun fact about Mark is that he has completed over 50 parachute jumps!
Mark Tickner, Store Manager RVA
April Fletcher, Fit Expert FXBG
April got bit by the running bug during the Stars Wars Rival Run 10k in 2019. After conquering her 1st marathon at Disney in 2023, she's been working on running a Half Marathon in all 50 States. She loves participating in local races, especially with her 3 year old grand nugget! She’s been a customer since 2005 and decided to work for Lucky Road to support her "cheap running habit" & to help people find the perfect shoes for them!
