Meet Mike…

In 2015 I took up cycling and did pretty well with it. Quickly adapting to 100 mile rides/races. In October of 2016 I decided to try running for cross training since it was a rainy year. After about 3.5 months, I decided to run a marathon because I remember my dad doing it when I was a kid. I ran the Napa Marathon and was 9 minutes off a Boston Qualifier. Figured with little know how in 3.5 quick months of running and I could come that close… The first marathon led to my first 50k ultra which I won overall (it was small but still counts). The rest is kind of history from there.

My previous running experience includes the 2021 Boston Marathon, Cuyamaca 100k in 2019 which I completed in 15:00:06 which is a Western States Endurance Run qualifier. I also finished the Marin Ultra Challenge 50 miler in 10:13:52. In 2018 I completed and got my BQ at the Revel Big Bear Marathon with a finishing time of 3:16:32.66. I’ve also completed the following marathons: Long Beach, Surf City, California International Marathon (CIM), Santa Rosa Marathon (x2), Napa, and OC. I have also completed the following ultras: Rodeo Valley Trail run 50k (2017 & 2018) and Calera Park 50k. In addition to running, I also completed multiple cycling races like Levi’s Gran Fondo (2016 & 2017), Cheaha Challenge (2017) (qualified for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series), Primavera Century (2016), Sierra Century (2017), Terrible Two Hundred (2016 & 2017) and Bad Little Brother (2017). I’ve done numerous 5ks, 10ks and half marathons.

I first ran across the Blue Diamond displays as I searched for a quality display to hold the medals we train so hard to get. The quality is unmatched in all the ones I have come across. Very sturdy and well made. The medal displays make a statement just like the medals themselves.

Meet Andy…

“My name is Andy Querio and I live in Aurora, IL. I have been a very happy customer of Nell and Ken at Blue Diamond Athletic Displays since their beginning. But, more than that, I have been proud and good friends with both of them over these many years. I’ve watched them sprout from a small seed and continue to grow over the years to where they help runners across the country proudly display their many accomplishments. The product speaks for itself – solid, heavy duty, and unique to each runner’s tastes. They both understand and get runners, aware of what makes us tick, and work with each individual.

Nell and Ken worked with my idea and helped create a special medal display for my special year of 12 half-marathons in 2015. They also, made another unique design that they worked with me to make to support the team I run with – Team DetermiNation, an endurance fundraising part of the American Cancer Society where each athlete on the team participates in races and raises money to support the mission of ACS. I’ve run 13 marathons and many half-marathons as part of this team “making every mile more meaningful” over the last 20 years – with Nell and Ken being great supporters of me and this mission.

This next year, building on my 69.1 Half-Ironman Duathlon, to tackle marathon #14 and my first 70.3 Half-Ironman, I’m sure I will be ringing Nell’s phone to que up a new display. In summary, Nell and Ken and the Blue Diamond Athletic Display team are a terrific example of a family owned business doing great things and very happily, proudly, and passionately supporting the sport and the community they love.”

Meet Dave…

I’ve been running for some 37 years now, since I was a freshman in high school. I ran some OK times as a younger man including a 1:12:57 half marathon and 2:36:57 for the marathon. As a master I’ve run under 3 hours for the marathon a handful of times including a 2:59:43 at CIM in 2016 at age 49.

I’m planning on running the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships in Spokane On December 8th and then half marathon races in January and in early March. After that I plan to try to switch gears and run some shorter, faster races in the sing and summer and will probably look to run a ‘fast’ half marathon in the fall. No full marathons on my plate right now. I just plan to get healthy and hopefully run fast!

I am a fan of Blue Diamond because they make great products that are customized for runners around the world, but I’m an even bigger fan of the people behind the products.

Blue Diamond is a company founded by runners FOR runners. Ken and Nell and their family are all the most incredible hard working people. I love to hear them celebrating the accomplishments of the folks who buy their products, but I also love to hear the stories of how their company has grown over the years. They’ve become the official medal display suppliers for some very big races and that’s amazing to see. I know how hard they’ve all worked to get where they are today.

Meet Kathleen and Aiden…

“I bought my first Blue Diamond athletic display years ago when the company first started. (I wasn’t sure of the year). I met Nell at a local race and fell in love with the displays. When Aiden started accumulating medals Blue Diamond made him a custom display which he loves. I think I’ve bought a total of 5 displays. They are the best. The craftsmanship is beyond amazing and I love supporting a local small business.

Aiden and I are in the process of running a half marathon in every state. Aiden ran his first half marathon at age 6 and will finish his 50th in October 2019 at the age of 11, thus setting a world record to be the youngest to do so.

Next up is Rehoboth Beach half December 8; Louisiana half in January; Love chocolate half in Georgia in February and Myrtle Beach half in March.

Aiden has walked away with quite a few awards at various races. He set a new PR on thanksgiving at the Fox and the Turkey 4 miler with a time of 31:22. His mile time is 7:22.”