The People Behind The Spirits Run

The Heart of Spirits Run

At the heart of Spirits Run is someone very special — my daughter, whose life and light continue to guide every mile we cover. She passed away in 2021, but her joy, her strength, and her way of lifting people up are woven into everything we do.

Her picture lives here not as a memorial, but as a reminder of the spirit that moves us forward — to celebrate community, to find meaning in small moments, and to keep going with love.

She is our why. She is our spirit.

Barbara Barclay

Founder / Chief spirits wrangler

Morgan Pentecost

Marketing/Dememorgan of marketing

Mary Barclay

Coordinator/Senior Spirits Advisor

Meet Barbara

Hi! I’m Barbara — runner, storyteller, and the person behind the Spirits Run series. I’ve always loved exploring Illinois, especially the small towns with big personalities. Spirits Run grew out of that love: a way to bring people together, support local bars, and create something fun, weird, and unforgettable in every county.

If I’m not designing medals or scouting routes, you’ll probably find me chatting with locals, discovering a new favorite bar, or planning the next adventure. I’m so glad you’re here — let’s run, explore, and raise a glass together.

Meet Morgan

Morgan is the chaos‑tamer, vibe‑setter, and unofficial guardian spirit of the Spirits Run series. Around here, she’s known as the Dememorgan — a title earned through equal parts mischief, loyalty, and her uncanny ability to appear exactly when something needs fixing, fetching, or laughing about.

She brings humor, heart, and a little supernatural energy to every event. Whether she’s helping runners at check‑in, hyping the crowd, or making sure Barbara hasn’t wandered off into a cemetery again, Morgan keeps the adventure rolling.

Every county needs a story. Every story needs a character. Morgan is ours.

Meet Mary

Mary is the steady heartbeat of the Spirits Run adventure — the one who brings wisdom, warmth, and a touch of magic to every county we visit. As our Senior Spirits Advisor, she’s the person who sees the big picture, keeps us grounded, and reminds us why this journey matters: community, connection, and celebrating the stories tucked inside every Illinois town.

She has a gift for making people feel welcome the moment they arrive, whether she’s helping at check‑in, cheering on runners, or offering the kind of calm guidance that only Mary can. Her presence brings balance to the chaos, humor to the long days, and heart to the entire series.

Every run needs a spirit. Ours has Mary.