Real Stories
Going the Extra Mile: How Harbor Freight Teammates Turn Running into a Shared Passion
At Harbor Freight, collaboration is key—but for this incredible team, teamwork doesn’t stop when the workday ends. Meet our group of passionate runners who lace up their shoes and hit the pavement together, taking on everything from 5Ks to full marathons.
“The three of us met when we all worked in the Harbor Freight Art Department back in 2008. We started running races together in 2016 when we competed in the Rock ’N’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon. We even dressed as Forrest Gump characters—two Forrests and a Jenny,” says Shawn.
The team supports each other by running together two to three times a week.
“On race days, we usually start the race together. If it’s a tough race, like a marathon, we’ll stick together and break it up into running and walking—no shame in stopping,” Shawn adds.
Over the years, they’ve completed an impressive list of races, including:
Los Angeles Marathon, Rock ’N’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon, Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay, Mountains 2 Beach, Great Race of Agoura, Westlake Village Love Run, Aut2Run for Autism, and several SoCal Trail races.
Meet the Runners
Shawn – IT Business Analyst
Shawn has been with Harbor Freight for 18 years! His journey began as a Production Artist, transitioned to Production Manager/National Media in 2014, and in 2020, he moved into his current role as IT Business Analyst.
Favorite Race: The Los Angeles Marathon in 2019. “It meant a lot to me to run with Donny and Alyssa.”
On Work/Life Balance: “Harbor Freight supports work/life balance in many ways—our managers are understanding of personal schedules and adjustments we might need. We’re also reminded to use PTO to refresh and re-energize.”
Alyssa – Project Manager, Creative Operations
Alyssa has been with Harbor Freight for 17 years! She started as a Production Artist, became a Production Supervisor in 2017, and in 2022 transitioned to Creative Operations as a Project Manager for Marketing design projects.
Favorite Race: Her first full marathon in Los Angeles in 2019. “I had never run that distance before and felt very accomplished finishing. I’m not a fast runner, but my goal was to complete.”
On Work/Life Balance: “The company and my team support balance by aiming for 2018 realistic workloads and deadlines and encouraging time off without expectation of working through it.”
Donny – Manager, Creative Operations
Donny has also been with Harbor Freight for 17 years! He joined right after college as a Production Artist, became a lead after four years, then a supervisor, and eventually a manager. In 2021, his role shifted to Manager of Creative Operations, supporting the creative team through project management.
Running Story: “Even before COVID and work from home, I was the typical ‘weekend warrior’—a desk job during the week and trail, road, or obstacle races on weekends. That camaraderie in the company is something I really value. Harbor Freight has allowed me to fund my hobbies and gave me the mental strength to perform my job at my best.”
Looking Ahead
Currently the team is looking forward to participating in a half marathon in San Diego in May 2026.
“We have found that the races are easier if we break them into a series of “short goals.” Instead of looking at the marathon as one long run, we set goals like “make it to that stop sign and then walk” or “start running again at that pine tree.” Breaking the races into achievable, short goals makes things a bit more bearable. This approach is helpful in other parts of our lives, including our challenging Harbor Freight projects.”
Why It Matters
This team proves that shared passions outside of work can strengthen bonds inside the workplace. Running together has become more than a hobby—it’s a tradition that fosters resilience, wellness, and connection. We thank Shawn, Alyssa, and Donny for their continued contributions and we are proud to have them be part of our Championship Team!
Join Our Team
Looking to join our team? Click the button below to explore our latest opportunities and apply online today.
