Team Members

Dmitri Kaganovich (Dima) Team Leader Dima has 20 years of vertical caving experience. He has completed multi-day caving expeditions at more than half a mile underground. He enjoys rock climbing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, orienteering, biking, running, and all other activities away from the lab and office. Dima thrives in cold weather and snow, or at least cold rain and mud, but can survive in any conditions.                    Dima, our fearless leader, is the team co-founder. He races as the captain, navigator, or bike mechanic. Dima is also the director and course designer of the annual Calleva Adventure Race. 2013 Goals: Have fun, finish every race the team starts and win as much as possible!

Tamir Klaff Tamir started adventure racing in 2008 wanted an additional physical challenge in his life and given his dislike of swimming, was not interested in the structure of a triathlon. Tamir is a valuable navigator and a great jokester during a race, keeping things interesting while encouraging team members to ponder the meanings of his favorite quotes, for example: "It takes a big man to walk a little dog." When not racing Tamir is with his family, usually spectating sports. 2014 Goals: Increased involvement with Calleva Race as a course designer and do at least one long race this summer.    Nick Josties Nick was talking into adventure racing in 2008 after mountain biking at Fountainhead with his neighbor, Tamir, and was hooked immediately. Nick is inspired by the combined challenge of pushing himself physically while navigating and racing with others, all while immersed in nature. When not adventure racing you will find Nick outside with his family, backpacking, mountain climbing, and traveling in general. Nick has joined forces with Tamir again to work on course design for this year's Calleva Race. 2014 Goals: Nick hopes to get his family more involved with racing and will compete in several adventure races throughout the year. Vladimir Bukalo (Vlad) Vlad joins Calleva with a history of fierce competition and experience. He is a former member of the Ukrainian triathlon junior national team completing in the European and World Cup competitions (1994-1997). Vladimir was a member of the running club Wedel-Pinneberg in Germany and was acknowledged as the best marathon runners of Schleswig-Holstein land (Germany) in 2000-2001, and took 5th place in the German Championship Marathon in 2004. Vladimir came back to triathlon in 2004, including being an Ironman finisher in 2004-2006. Vlad began adventure racing when he move to Maryland and racing with Team Calleva since 2007. His legs and lungs are a deadly weapon for Team Calleva!  Robin Watkins Robin began adventure racing with Team Calleva in 2012, at the REV3 Epic, after meeting Dima at the finish line of the Seneca Greenway 50k. Robin considers herself a trail runner first, but she loves to be in the woods with a sense of adventure and drive that helps push her teammates through the night, a perfect fit for AR! When not adventure racing Robin is scuba diving, training for triathlons and working as a midwife. 2014 Goals: Robin is currently training to finish her first 100 miler, the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100, in May. She would like to focus on adventure racing this season and helping Team Calleva win! Adam Watkins Adam got pushed into adventure racing by his wife, Robin. Last year Adam completed the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 350mi trek along the Iditarod Trail in February while pulling a sled. As an endurance athlete Adam has completed ultra triathlons, 100milers and bikes across the USA. When not training you can find Adam at a Washington Nationals game, sailing and working as a computer programmer. 2014 Goals: Adam is in recovery mode more a while but is eyeing the future for his next challenge! Noah Klemm Noah is a rookie this year and has done a few short races already. He is gearing up for his first 24 hour race in April. 2014 Goals: Complete at least one 24 hour race and do a few races with his family.

Jack Anderson

profile in progress

Valentin Chapa (Val)

Valentin completed his Bachelor’s of Science, Nursing degree in Colorado Springs, CO in 2006. He recently finished working for Johns Hopkins Hospital and has been living in the DC area since. Valentin works as an Emergency Room Nurse at Georgetown University Hospital and joined the Calleva Adventure Racing team in May 2008.

Major sport achievements and outdoor experience: 2006-present Competed in the Eco Motion in Brazil in 2008, but the team DNF after a teammate became injured, pulling out at the 200 miles mark.

Alexandra Klaff

Alexandra (left) was introduced to adventure racing in 2010. Prior to that she ran marathons, ultras and tri-Athlons and decided to try adventure racing one day. She likes the surprises and challenges adventure racing brings. Prior to any race you can find her questioning whether she has prepared enough because of the challenge in an adventure race: terrain, distance, weather, and navigation. Sometimes it’s the things that we can’t prepare for like the weather that can pretty much ruin a race but that’s what makes adventure racing for the strong minded.  
2014 goals: Focus on adventure racing only this year and become a more fierce competitor but never forgetting to have fun.

Stephanie Grace

profile in progress