Hello, 

Thank you for taking the time to read about this growing risk.  My name is Brennan Straits; I am an athlete who runs, bikes, and hikes the trails in Central Virginia, a lover of the outdoors, and a first-year Master of Public Health Student at the University of Lynchburg. After hearing the stories of how Lyme and alpha-gal diseases have impacted the training and overall health of several of my running friends, I became interested in investigating the risk. I discovered the risk is real and growing. This project is a way to support the health and training goals of the endurance community, especially those who adventure in and around the Lynchburg area. 

What else do I do? I am the graduate assistant Cross-Country and Track and Field Coach for the University of Lynchburg, a part-time barista at Golf Park Coffee, and an explorer of the wooded single tracks and gravel roads around Central Virginia.  On an ideal Saturday, you can find me on a dirt road for a long run or relaxing at Golf Park while crunching track times. 

I hope this program helps athletes, like myself, respect the risk presented by ticks.  Sending miles of smiles!