Meet The Staff

Tracy Dowell (Owner)

Tracy has been a cornerstone of SRC since 2010, bringing with her a deep well of experience and a lifelong passion for the sport. She has coached Cross-Country and Track at Chatham-Glenwood Middle School and Glenwood High School, and Run@theTrack youth program, shaping young runners both on and off the course.

Her love for running took root during her own middle school and high school years in Missouri and never let go. Since then, Tracy has completed numerous races, including half and full marathons- qualifying for the Boston Marathon with every marathon she finished.

She even tackled a Full Ironman once and will happily tell you she's never doing that again.

Fun Fact: Tracy was inducted into the Springfield Road Runners Hall of Fame in 2020

Zach Panek

Zach is a dedicated runner and footwear specialist with over six years of experience in the shoe industry. He began his journey in 2020 with New Balance and later brought his passion for running and helping others to Springfield Running Center while attending University of Illinois Springfield. A former collegiate runner at UIS for five years, Zach combines personal running experience with professional knowledge to help customers find solutions for their feet. His favorite part of the job is meeting new people and helping them move more comfortably and confidently.

Fun Fact: Zach took a typing test online one time and was clocked typing 120+ words per minute.

Greg Bennett

Greg is a retired pediatrician and lifelong runner who brings deep knowledge of training, health, and performance to Springfield Running Center. A former middle-distance runner in high school and college, he now enjoys racing at the marathon distance and staying active in the running community. Greg Bennett has coached with the Decatur Stayley Striders, the Run@the Track youth program, and Glenwood Middle School. He has also created numerous individualized training plans for adult runners, combining his medical background and coaching experience to help others train smart and stay healthy.

Fun Fact: Greg enjoys woodworking and upland game hunting with his dog.

Nathan DeMarb

Nathan is an experienced endurance athlete and run-specialty professional with over five years in the specialty running industry. He competed collegiately for two years at Heartland Community College and continued his career for two more years at University of Illinois Springfield. After years focused on competitive running, Nathan has transitioned from being a full-time runner to a full-time triathlete, channeling his endurance background into multisport training and racing. He holds a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in sports management, blending his athletic experience with professional knowledge of the sports industry.

Fun Fact: Nate has a Maine Coon cat named Chance, named after the famous rapper, Chance the Rapper

Machele Keen

Machele is a dedicated customer service professional and lifelong runner with decades of experience helping people. She retired from AT&T after 30 years in customer service, bringing that same people-first mindset into the running community. A runner for about 30 years herself, Machele has spent over 20 of those years working at Springfield Running Center. She enjoys interacting with customers and helping them find exactly what they need to run and walk comfortably. Her experience, warmth, and passion for helping others make her a valued part of the SRC team.

Fun Fact: Machele enjoys reading; mostly murder mysteries and Stephen King novels.

Scott Weller

Scott is a lifelong runner and coach from Chatham, Illinois. He earned his bachelors degree from the University of Illinois Springfield and his masters degree from Eastern Illinois University. Scott served as the head track and field coach at Williamsville High School for 12 years and spent 6 years as the cross-country coach at Williamsville Junior High School, helping develop athletes of all ages and abilities. His passion for the sport and commitment to mentorship continue to shape the local running community.

Jeff Bennett

Jeff joined Springfield Running Center in 2015 and is dedicated to taking great care of every customer who walks through the door. He discovered his love for running while competing in cross country and track at Rice University and has since rekindled that passion as a masters runner. In addition to many local and regional events, Jeff has competed in USATF National Championship races and major marathons, including Chicago, New York City, and the Boston Marathon. His experience as both an athlete and lifelong runner helps him connect with customers and guide them toward the best fit for their goals.

Fun Fact: Jeff grows delicious tomatoes every summer; by September his tomato plants are 10 feet tall.

Dylan Howell

Dylan is a passionate member of the running community with several years of experience in run specialty retail. He ran collegiately for one year at University of Illinois Springfield and is working toward getting back into competitive running, with goals of racing more half and full marathons. Dylan spent three years at Fleet Feet before joining Springfield Running Center, where he has been helping customers for a little over a year. He is currently in his final year at UIS pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, combining his passion for running with his interest in business and service.

Fun Fact: Dylan enjoys collecting football and basketball cards.

Kenzie Anderson

Kenzie joined the SRC team in January 2025 and has been running in the Springfield area since middle school. She has completed five marathons and counting, with a passion for challenging herself at new distances and goals. When shes not working or out on a run, Kenzie is a devoted volunteer with multiple organizations in the community, always looking for ways to give back and make a positive impact.