Doug Alred
Founder & Owner
Doug discovered his passion for running after completing the inaugural River Run 15,000 in 1978, an experience that inspired him to open 1st Place Sports later that year. A former CPA and accomplished runner with a marathon personal best of 2:29:29, Doug has dedicated nearly five decades to growing Jacksonville’s running community. He has served on the Jacksonville Track Club’s Board of Directors since its early years, has been Race Director of the Gate River Run since 1982, and today directs and oversees more than 80 running events each year. Under his leadership, 1st Place Sports has become a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s running community, helping generations of runners and walkers achieve their goals.
Jane Alred
Owner
Jane has been a passionate runner since the running boom of the 1970s, completing more than 40 marathons with a personal best of 3:10. As President of 1st Place Sports’ retail division, she oversees store operations, staffing, apparel purchasing, and many other aspects of the business. Jane also plays a major role in the company’s race management operations, including organizing the Gate River Run Expo. A longtime Jacksonville Track Club board member and Gate River Run Hall of Fame inductee, she has dedicated decades to supporting Jacksonville’s running community. Today, she continues to enjoy walking and bringing runners together through local events.
Ryann Alred-Lohman
Owner & Vice President
Ryann joined 1st Place Sports in 2012 after graduating from the University of Colorado. A former basketball player, she rediscovered her passion for running after the birth of her three boys and has become an active member of Jacksonville’s running community. As Vice President, Ryann plays an important role in the race office, helping plan and organize events throughout the year. She also leads the 1st Place Sports Running Club, bringing runners of all abilities together through training, group runs, and community activities. Whether working behind the scenes at a race or connecting with customers in the store, Ryann enjoys helping others discover the rewards of an active lifestyle.
Brian Doyle
Vice President & General Manager
Brian joined 1st Place Sports in 2005 and has become an important part of the company’s retail operations. Born and raised in Jacksonville, he attended Assumption, Bishop Kenny, and the University of North Florida. As Vice President and General Manager, Brian serves as the company’s primary footwear buyer while overseeing many aspects of daily store operations. His experience and product knowledge help ensure customers have access to the latest running and walking footwear. Brian’s wife, Carly, also works for 1st Place Sports, making the business a family affair. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with Carly and their two children, Kennedy and Clay, and playing golf.
Stuart Toomey
Race Timing
Stuart joined 1st Place Sports in 2005, beginning on the sales floor before discovering his passion for race management. His dedication and attention to detail quickly led him into race timing and event operations. Today, Stuart oversees timing, setup, and race-day operations for more than 80 events each year, helping ensure that every race runs smoothly from start to finish. He also serves as Assistant Race Director of the Gate River Run, playing an important role in one of Jacksonville’s largest running events. Despite his busy race schedule, Stuart still finds time to lace up his running shoes and enjoy regular runs of his own.
Kristin Ammon
Director of HR and Apparel Buyer
Kristin graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Merchandising and joined 1st Place Sports in 2023 as a Sales Associate. She quickly grew into a leadership role, combining her retail background with a passion for helping customers. She discovered her own love for running in 2021 through miles shared with her husband and their dog. Since then, she has developed a passion for marathons, with Big Sur holding a special place among her favorite races. Kristin also loves the Gate River Run and Jacksonville’s diverse running routes. When she’s not running or helping customers, she enjoys grabbing a smoothie and reading. Her favorite reminder to herself and others is simple: “You can do hard things!”
Callum
San Marco Store Manager
Originally from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Callum is a U.S. Navy veteran who rediscovered his passion for running after watching the 2022 Gate River Run. Since then, he has competed in distances ranging from one mile to 100 miles, completing the Daytona 100 in 2025 with support from friends he met through the San Marco Training Team. As San Marco Store Manager, Callum enjoys helping customers find their own connection to running and the local community. His favorite distance is the half marathon, and his favorite races include the Gate River Run and Chicago Marathon. Outside of running, he enjoys metalcore shows, pizza, and reading.
Scott Guthrie
Jacksonville Beach & 210 Store Manager
A corporate America dropout, Scott (re)discovered his passion for running in 2024 after deciding it was probably the cheapest midlife crisis he could find, and he’s been hooked ever since. While he has a few races under his belt, he mostly runs for the simple pleasure of getting outside and putting some miles behind him. He loves the meditative and therapeutic side of road and trail running, as well as the discipline and mental fortitude it builds. You can bet there’s some Grateful Dead playing during those long, slow miles.
When he’s not at the Beach or 210, Scott enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, yoga, reading, and meditating. And when all else fails, you’ll probably find him on the screened-in porch with a cup of coffee.
Kayla Thieken
Baymeadows Store Manager
Kayla brings more than a decade of collegiate athletics, coaching, and athlete development experience to 1st Place Sports. A Tampa native and former NCAA Division I rower, she captained UCF’s rowing team and helped lead the program to its first conference championship in 2015. She later coached at UCF and West Virginia University before joining Jacksonville University, where she became Associate Head Coach. Kayla holds degrees in Sport and Exercise Science and Physical Education with a concentration in Coaching. As Baymeadows Store Manager, she brings her passion for athletics, teamwork, and personal development to helping customers build confidence and achieve their fitness goals.