Diane Golden - Founder

Golden Adventures began casually...hangin' out with my running buddies, trying to decide which marathon to do next. Top priority: it had to be a 'cool' place where we could run AND have fun.  We ended up in New York...and yours truly planned the trip!

Then it was on to the San Francisco, Chicago, San Diego, Chicago and Vermont marathons.  A couple of cycling trips to Europe followed...a ski trip or two...and I was in the trip planning business!

By the fall of 2000, it was time to launch Golden Adventures full time. I had dreamt of doing this for a living for many, many years.

Marathons still are my core business, and I am the official travel agent for the Dallas White Rock Marathon. But, since a lot of other people and myself enjoy more than running, Golden Adventures has become so much more than that. European cycling sojourns, dive trips to Belize and Costa Rica, and Big Bend hiking and rafting trips, to name a few. And new active adventures are born every year. Honestly, I plan my very best vacation and ask y'all to come with me.  I'm having the time of my life!

And when I'm not organizing or on the road, I like to socialize and meet people in person instead of via e-mail. That's how the Golden Adventures Happy Hours got started.  I invite everyone from the athletic community to get together for a little fun...and have been since 2001.

Please join me sometime!

Diane Golden
Founder, Golden Adventures

Doug Steele
Doug is an outdoor enthusiast whose love of Montana knows no bounds. With over 20 years of outdoor adventures under his belt, Doug is a backpacking, fly-fishing, hiking King. He gladly shares his love of all things off the couch and can't wait to see you on your next adventure.

Kate McKeon
Recently detained in Northern Cyprus by the Turkish Authorities, Kate frequently enjoys cross-cultural immersion opportunities, and is very thankful she knows diplomats and Marines. When she's not working or traveling she is probably running, flying or watching hockey. She is considering a career as a race car driver.

Nicole Hooper
When she's not consulting within the legal and leadership industries, Nicole is an avid traveler and athlete. Having majored in French and studied and lived in Aix-en-Provence, France as a student, she has made many a return journey to France, Europe, and various islands. She enjoys domestic and international marathon travel, having most recently completed both the Provence-Luberon, France marathon in Fall 2007 and the Paris Marathon in Spring 2008. She is an active outdoor enthusiast and traveler, and looks forward to exploring, learning, traveling, and partnering with you on your next journey!

Joey Boyd
Joey has spent much of the past 20 years traveling throughout the US and abroad. He's an experienced travel and meeting
planner in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, organizing award and business travel for the sales, marketing, and clinical teams he's managed. Joey has a passion for outdoor adventure activities. His experiences are in marathon running, sailing, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, camping, and golf.

Robin Merricks
Partner in a software company by trade, huge adventurer by heart! I live by the motto: Grass doesn't grow under my feet. Growing up with active parents, four brothers, living in nine cities within the U.S. and attending culinary school at the Cordon Bleu in Paris has helped develop an intense palette for travel, adventure and athletics. My activities include but are not exclusive to: hiking/backpacking, rafting, rock climbing, cycling, running, triathlons, skiing, and boating (both power and sail). And, of course, this is all done with a high level of FUN! As Diane says, Let's go somewhere!!!

Krista de la Harpe
Krista, a shoe designer and a serial entrepreneur, is also the owner of some very high mileage feet. Given her fast paced career and international adventures, she is loaded with fun tales. A native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, she has lived and worked in 6 countries and has traveled in 54 countries. Fluent in five languages, she is a real go getter. Krista is very passionate about nature and loves outdoor adventures: hiking, camping, skiing, kayaking, rafting, rowing and cycling. She is also a seasoned gourmet, fond of culinary adventures, and is a great supporter of all of the arts, music, theater and dance.

Kerre Cole
Born on the vast Texas prairie, yet I am equally at home in Salamanca, Spain.  I fearless explore the world, from the llamas of Machu Picchu to the Crown Jewels locked away in the Tower of London.  I have developed a taste for exotic places and people. Needless to say, I love to travel.  But what's more, I love to meet people and get their stories of adventure and excitement.  Tell me yours!

Marcie Adame
Marcie loves to run, camp, climb, and travel.  Her favorite trips include destination races. The best souvenirs are race shirts and bibs with the name of the city or state. No day is a repeat! Marcie lives in the moment appreciating what each destination has to offer. No stranger so solo travel, she makes friends at every stop!

Kirk Burgess
Kirk has an extensive library of stories from his numerable adventures. From a view of the center of a piazza to the breathtaking summit of a mountain to a waterfall nestled in the Napali coastline, Kirk will challenge you to experience those things other people only talk about. He has been a competitive racer for many years including 22 marathons, eco-challenges, Ironman, and is always looking for the next summit to conquer. His philosophy has been: Life brings you many challenges and opportunities; embrace them, taste them and enjoy the time of your life!