About us

The Inaugural Valor Run

The founding Valor Run was in October 2014. It began in Chesapeake, VA on Oct. 12 and ended in Arlington, VA on Oct. 18. Nancy Lacore ran 25 miles each day, completing the final 10 miles a route from the Pentagon to the Women's Memorial at the foot of Arlington National Cemetery. 160 runners and walkers joined Nancy for the final 1/4 mile of the run. This event raised more than $33,000 for two nonprofit organizations, the Women's Memorial and the Combat Wounded Coalition (formerly Wounded Wear). Valor Run, Inc. developed out of this run.

*since that run, the number of women killed during combat operations in Iraq or Afghanistan was confirmed at 161

Inaugural Valor Run in Washington D.C.

The Team

 
Nancy  Lacore

Nancy Lacore

Founder

Ms. Lacore, originally from Albany, NY, has 30 years of service in the Navy. She was commissioned into the Navy from the NROTC program at the College of the Holy Cross and was designated a helicopter pilot.  She has commanded at many levels and mobilized to Afghanistan and Djibouti. Ms. Lacore has significant international experience in advancing the role of women in security and defense. She has been an avid runner since middle school and has coached middle school track. She founded Valor Run, Inc., after completing her own 160 mile run to honor the 160 women who died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Ms. Lacore is married and the mother of six.

 

Star Hardison

Treasurer, Board of Directors

Star graduated from Villanova University in 1990 and served in the United States Navy for 26 years, retiring in 2016 as a Captain. She served as a Human Resources Officer with a specialization in manpower and Sailor/Family resilience matters. She continues to support the Department of Defense as a consultant. Star has a passion for fitness and is a certified Yoga Teacher and Health and Wellness Coach. Star and her husband have five adult children.

 
 
Joe Waite

Joe Waite

Member, Board of Directors

Joe retired from the U.S. Navy as a Human Resources Officer and currently works as a federal employee for the Department of Defense.  He grew up outside Boston and while at The College of the Holy Cross was a Track and Field athlete.  Over the years he has been a USATF High School Official and long-time runner; he has also coached and played a variety of sports.  Along with Valor Run he is on the Board of Directors for another non-profit, Azalea Charities, ensuring he maintains awareness of, and gives back to, the military community. Joe is married and the father of two girls.

Missy Cotter Smasal

Missy Cotter Smasal

Executive Director

Missy served as a Naval Surface Warfare Officer and deployed to the Gulf during Operation Enduring Freedom.  Following active duty service, she earned a master's in Sports Management and then owned and operated a small business in Virginia Beach for over 10 years.  Missy is an avid runner and enjoys competing in triathlon.  She and her husband, Bryan, who served as an Army Officer, are the proud parents of two great kids who also love running.

 

Nancy Blacker

Member, Board of Directors

Nancy graduated from the University of Kentucky.  She served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years - from Private First Class to Colonel.  Nancy was originally branched Field Artillery, and transferred to the functional area of Army Strategist as a Major.  As a strategist, Nancy served at two Combatant Commands, served two tours in the Pentagon, and taught at the National Defense University.  Nancy and her husband Jay live in Starkville, Mississippi. 

 
Susan Seaman Boré

Susan Seaman Boré

Member, Board of Directors

Susan graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989 and served in the Marine Corps for 27 years, retiring in 2016 as a colonel.  She served with an artillery regiment during Desert Storm and as an assistant chief of staff for the 1st Marine Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  She also commanded two battalions, served as a military fellow in the U.S. Senate and was an aide for the Commandant of the Marine Corps.  She serves on numerous boards in her new hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Susan and her husband have four children.