Gilbert Tuhabonye - Head Coach
A native of Burundi, National Champion runner at Abilene Christian University, and winner of multiple races, Gilbert is the founder and principal coach of Gilbert's Gazelles. Read Gilbert's bio.
Bernard Manirakiza - Assistant Coach
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Bernard won eight national titles while competing in both Track and Field and Cross Country. He added his name to the list of outstanding male middle-distance runners in ACU history when he was given the Paul Gold Award signifying his achievements as top male athlete during the 2003-04 school year.
In both 2003 and 2004 at the NCAA II Indoor Championships, Bernard finihed the mile race with only one shoe after someone stepped on his other shoe at the beginning of the race. He finihsed sixth in 2003 with a time of 4:05:44, but in 2004, he won the mile race with a time of 4:03.83 and, again, only one shoe!
- 2009 Oklahoma City Half-Marathon Champion
- 2006 Greater Austin Sports Association's Athlete of the Year
- 2006 Oklahoma City Half-Marathon Champion
- 2005 Austin Runners' Choice Awards Male Runner of the Year
- 2005 Statesman Capital 10,000 Champion
- 8-Time NCAA Division II Outdoor and Indoor National Champion (800m, 1500m, Mile)
- 4-Time NCAA Division II All-American in Cross Country
Michael Madison - Assistant Coach
Born in Dallas, Texas, Michael didn't start running until 8th grade. After a year of summer track with a local coach, he was hooked. In high school he ran the 800, 400, 200, and 100 – making the state meet in the 400 as a senior in 2003. From there he went off to college at the University of Missouri, competing from '04-'06 and once earning All-Big XII honors.
Michael joined Gilbert's Gazelles in May 2007, but then took off to College Station in August to receive his Master's in Sports Management. During the time he began to dabble in the world of marathons, running Chicago, Dallas, and New Orleans – where he picked up his first Boston Qualifier time. Returning to Gilbert's group in June '08, he began as an Assistant Coach in August '08.
During his off time Michael enjoys fishing, skiing, attending the Austin Stone Community Church, and traveling. In December '08 he traveled to Gilbert and Bernard's home country of Burundi and had the privilege to meet their family and foster relationships between the Gazelle Foundation and local non-profits. He plans to return with a team in the summer of 2010.
Personal Bests:- 200 - 21.87
- 400 - 49.18
- 1600 - 4:26
- 5k - 16:47
- 1/2 Marathon - 1:15
- Marathon - 2:52
Sonya Manson - Assistant Coach
Sonya's running background started out in high school, running cross country, track and the Capital 10k. However, she didn't catch the running bug until after teaching fitness classes while in college. Sonya started teaching various fitness classes at World Gym, Gold's and some corporate fitness programs in Austin while going to school. She ran for a change from the gym scene and decided she liked it better than the gym. She first coached a marathon group for Austin Fit in 1996 and ran her first marathon (Austin) and qualified for Boston. Since that first marathon, Sonya was hooked and has run 11 marathons, including Austin, Big Bend, and New York. She also loves 5k's, 1/2 marathons and triathlons.
Sonya loves to run, swim and bike whenever she can, but enjoys her time with her family the most, especially with her 11 year old daughter. Sonya is also blessed to be a cancer-survivor of 11 years.
Personal Bests:- 5k - 21:17
- 1/2 Marathon - 1:34
- Marathon - 3:35
