About Us
Our History
A Running Passion was established in December 2016 to honor the life and legacy of Will Fulford, a beloved member of the Maine running community. Following his untimely passing, the support received from student-athletes, parents, and community members led to the creation of the Will Fulford Scholarship Fund. Ashley Potvin-Fulford, Will’s wife, spearheaded the initiative, and later expanded it to provide running shoes, sports equipment, and financial assistance to students in need. In March 2017, the non-profit organization A Running Passion was officially launched. It aims to enhance the lives of young people through sports, following Will’s coaching business and his dedication to guiding student-athletes and nurturing their passions and aspirations.
May you always remember that hard work and determination are the roads to the exceptional.
Will Fulford
Our Mission
A Running Passion carries on the legacy of coach Will Fulford by enhancing the lives of young people involved in the sports of cross country and track and field through education, guidance, coaching, programming, and removing financial barriers associated with participation in those sports.
We Believe
that sports cultivate confidence, independence, resilience, and academic achievement.
We Strive
to empower young people to have the will and strength to pursue their goals in sports, academics, and life with the belief that every young person’s journey towards growing and learning is an investment for our community and future.
We serve
student athletes and coaches in Southern Maine by providing opportunities to compete at the highest level in sport and in the classroom.
Executive Director
Ashley Potvin-fulford
Ashley Potvin has served in the Executive Director role since 2022 and served as the founding board president from 2017-2022. She is a 2011 graduate of Norwich University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Education while competing on the varsity ice hockey and rugby teams and participating in numerous clubs and organizations. After graduation, she made her way back to her hometown of Biddeford, ME and worked at a non-profit organization that continues to help revitalize the downtown, the Heart of Biddeford. In that same year she served as a volunteer coach for the Biddeford High School girl’s hockey team. Through her coaching position, she rediscovered her desire to work with young people and picked up several other coaching positions. In the fall of 2012, she held a job at Massabesic Middle School where she and Will Fulford eventually met. Their relationship flourished over common goals in coaching and teaching.
On July 9, 2016 Will and Ashley got married and were able to enjoy an all too short, but incredibly loving and supportive life together.In 2024, she received her MSW from the University of New England. She completed a Sport Social Work Certificate through the Alliance of Social Workers in Sport and Tulane University that same year and is also a graduate of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (2019) and the WCA 2.0 (2024). Ashley is also a certified World Rugby Level 2 Coach and a certified USATF official.
She is currently the head coach of the University of New England Rugby Women’s Rugby team. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, reading, traveling, and finding other opportunities to work with young people involved in athletics. She and her husband, Chris (ARP Board President) reside in Biddeford with their two dogs Pepito and Zelda.
Our Board
Chris Fretzen
Board President
Chris Frentzen has been a member of the A Running Passion Board since January of 2025. A long time volunteer of A Running Passion, Chris has been working tirelessly to streamline processes relating to our runDisney events as well as streamline our financial policies and procedures. The Cross Country Shoe Jamboree is his favorite ARP event because it’s the essence of the organization’s mission in action.
Chris has a B.S. in Business from Keene State College and through the Covid-19 Pandemic, completed a competitive internship in publishing where he gained many new skills in editing, publishing, and business. He’s worked for 15 years in industries focused on communication, process building, and data analysis. In his free time, Chris enjoys reading, gaming, working out, and spending time with his wife Ashley (ARP Executive Director) and two dogs Zelda and Pepito.
Maureen Fulford
Treasurer
Maureen is Will’s Mom. She taught Physical Education for 36 years and is now retired and regularly watches her granddaughter, Winny and grandson, Murray. Maureen has been a regular volunteer for A Running Passion since its creation by helping to organize various fundraisers and events. She most recently served a term as treasurer and helped oversee the hiring of a bookkeeper and tax preparer to assist in A Running Passion’s continued growth.
Maureen knows how passionate her son Will was about running and helping others to become successful in life. She wants to keep her son’s memory and legacy alive and is thrilled to be a part of A Running Passion by serving on the board. A quote she believes in and lives by is “Love never dies…love always wins.” Will’s love and passion for his students and athletes lives on. Maureen believes that by assisting Ashley and the other board members, she can keep Will’s love alive.
Originally from Seaford, NY, Maureen and her husband Bill raised their sons Will, Jon, and Patrick in Kennebunk, ME where they still reside. In her spare time, Maureen enjoys walking, birdwatching, gardening, and spending time with her dog, Buddy.
Caitlin Desaulniers
Secretary & Race Team Captain
Caitlin graduated from the University of New England in 2019 with a degree in Applied Exercise Science. At UNE she ran track for two semesters under coach Will and was a standout on the women’s rugby team. Caitlin joined ARPs race team in 2018, became the race team captain in 2021, and joined the board in 2022. She is currently the Director of Recruiting and Assistant Coach for the UNE Women’s Rugby team. She also assists to coach A Running Passion’s Youth Track & Field team. Caitlin enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and playing board games with her husband David and their two dogs.
PATrick Fulford
Patrick Fulford is an elementary school Physical Education teacher at Kennebunk Elementary School. A Kennebunk native and former high school baseball coach, Patrick has always been passionate about helping young people grow through sports and physical activity. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Maine.
Now living in Falmouth, ME with his girlfriend, Hallsey, and their dog, Lenny, Patrick enjoys spending his free time outdoors—hiking, exploring nature, and cheering on the Boston Red Sox. Together, Patrick and Hallsey love discovering new restaurants in Portland. They’re also excitedly preparing to welcome their first child, a baby boy, in March 2026.
Anthony Mariello
Anthony Mariello is a consulting professional with experience in risk management, internal controls, and business operations. He has worked with global firms including Ernst & Young, Dell Technologies, and BerryDunn, delivering strategies to strengthen financial, operational, and compliance performance. Beyond his consulting work, Anthony has held leadership roles in nonprofit and community initiatives, managing teams and coordinating volunteer programs that drive measurable social impact.
Anthony earned both his M.S. in Finance and B.S. in Economics and Finance from Bentley University, with minors in Computer Information Systems and International Affairs. His expertise spans financial analysis, data-driven decision-making, and project management. Currently, he serves on the boards of two nonprofits and on the Downtown Development Commission for the City of Biddeford, Maine. Passionate about advancing community development, Anthony is dedicated to leveraging his finance, technology, and leadership skills to support organizations that create lasting positive change.
Patty williams
Patty Williams is a 2004 graduate of the University of New Hampshire (BS) and a 2006 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (MS). She is a native of Saco, ME and returned to the area in 2009 to work at the University of New England where she is currently an Associate Director and SWA in the Athletics Department. Patty is a member of the A Running Passion race team and a long time regular at the pub runs as well as the annual Will to Run and Irish Eyes are Miling races. She also enjoys hiking and trail running and has completed multiple Ragnar relay races and Disney races. She resides in Saco with her family and has two children active in the middle and high school cross country and track programs.
Chris Rizzo
Christopher Rizzo, DAT, ATC, CSCS is a full Professor and the Coordinator of Clinical Education for the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program at the University of New England (UNE) in Biddeford, Maine. He began his career at UNE in 2002 as the Head Athletic Trainer, providing care to UNE’s Varsity Athletes. He transitioned to full-time faculty in 2005 and was promoted through the academic ranks, with a promotion to full professor in 2021. Chris earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. He continued his education at Indiana State University where he earned a Master of Science in Athletic Training. In the spring of 2022, he earned his Doctor of Athletic Training from AT Still University in Arizona. Chris also holds a credential as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In his free time, Chris enjoys running, reading nonfiction books and cooking (especially on the pellet grill) as well as spending family time with his wife and two children.
Laura Broderick
A Maine native, Laura graduated from Scripps College in southern California, where she ran Cross Country and Track & Field for Claremont Mudd Scripps, in 2018. Coach Will was her high school coach for two years at Kennebunk High School. After spending a few years in northern California working in tourism and economic development, Laura returned to New England to receive her Masters in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith College. She currently is an Assistant Cross Country/Track & Field Coach at Yale University. She is a graduate of the 54th class of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy. When she’s not at the track, she and her husband like to run, enjoy New Haven Pizza, travel to California and Maine, and spend time with their retired racing greyhound, Felix.
Riley Petit
Riley Petit, LMSW-cc is a local outpatient therapist at Island Institute for Trauma Recovery. Riley graduated with her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine in 2021 and 2024. Riley has experience in community organizing and advocacy work around issues of poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity in the state of Maine. Riley has provided case management services at a local behavioral health agency. Coach Will was her coach throughout high school in cross country and track and field. Coach Will’s mentorship and encouragement allowed Riley to reach her academic and athletic goals. In turn, Riley is passionate about supporting others in pursuing their goals and reducing barriers to get there. Riley is a devoted cat mom to Stevie and Ozzy. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, yoga, gardening, and running with her husband. Riley looks forward to helping carry on the legacy of Coach Will through A Running Passion.
Thank you to all of our former board members for their time and service to A Running Passion!
Forrest Tobie, Kendra Mathews, Nick Wheeler, Claton Conrad, Jon Fulford, Taxia Arabatzis, Sue Estabrook, Maripat Brady, Ryan Fecteau, Karen Reardon, Charles Melton, Kathy MacDonald, Kristin Dechene Campbell, Maeve McNell, Sam Mills, Nicole Potvin, Jordina Coleman, Chris Quint, and Ryan Dyer.