Gilbert Tuhabonye - Head Coach
ContactA 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
ContactA 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 finished 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!
Bernard is Gilbert's cousin and happily married to Verra Magerano. When not sharing his love of running with the Gazelles, Bernard spends his time as a shoe-fitting expert at RunTex in addition to serving as Head Coach for the St. Andrews Middle School Cross Country and Track programs.
- 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/Business Manager
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Michael didn't start running until 8th grade but it took just one summer of track with a local coach to get 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 earning All-Big XII honors in '05.
Michael joined Gilbert's Gazelles in May 2007, but then took off to College Station in August to achieve a Master's in Sports Management. His uncle signed him up for the Chicago Marathon that fall and later relayed the news. Despite the record heat and less than half of registrants finishing, Michael made it to the end and swore he'd never do one again. As of early 2012, he's crossed seven other marathon finish lines. Returning to Gilbert's group in June '08, Michael began as an Assistant Coach and Business Manager in August '08. Additionally, Michael works for the Gazelle Foundation and has traveled there three times. He is happily married to Tessa Madison!
Personal Bests:- 200 Meters - 21.87 | 400 Meters - 49.18 | 1600 Meters - 4:26 | 5000 Meters - 16:39
- Half Marathon - 1:14 | Marathon - 2:47
Sonya Manson - Assistant Coach
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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:- 5000 Meters - 21:17 | Half Marathon - 1:34 | Marathon - 3:35
