Our Staff | newracelab

COACHING STAFF

racelab is a family-owned business that has been the leading coaching company in the Phoenix area since 2000. Our passion for endurance sports as a way to a healthier and happier lifestyle is based on the positive impact we've seen it have on the lives of our athletes. We strive to help every one of our athletes reach and surpass their goals.

Bettina Warnholtz
- Team USA Coach
- USA Olympic Coach - Rio 2016 - GOLD Paratriathlon
- USAT Level II - ITU
- USAT Level II - Endurance
- US Masters Swim Coach

With over 24 years of experience, Bettina is Arizona's premier Running and Triathlon Coach. As the heart and soul of Racelab, she takes immense pride in every athlete she coaches, celebrating their progress and achievements. Her expertise lies in developing customized training programs for athletes of all levels, tailoring coaching techniques to meet each individual's unique needs.

Driven by a passion for the sport and a commitment to promoting fitness at all levels, Bettina continually stays on the cutting edge of training methodologies. She actively learns from sports physiologists, physical therapists, elite athletes, and renowned coaches like Mark Allen and Rodolfo Gómez—and most importantly, from the athletes she coaches.

Born in Mexico City, Bettina moved to Germany in 1990 with her family and later relocated to Phoenix in 1994, where she began her coaching career. In May 2000, she and her husband, Gus, became the proud owners of Racelab. Around this time, Bettina also earned a second-degree Black Belt in traditional Japanese Karate.

Her multicultural background, disciplined mindset, and fluency in three languages allow her to connect with and inspire a diverse range of athletes. This open and sensitive communication style has become a cornerstone of her success as a coach.

Bettina has individually coached thousands of athletes, from first-timers to professionals and Olympians. She has personally completed numerous marathons and triathlons, including Ironman Arizona in 2006 and 2012.

As a certified USA Triathlon Coach, Bettina is one of the few coaches in the United States to hold both ITU Level II and Endurance Level II certifications, solidifying her place among the best in the field.

Patrick Warnholtz

Bachelors Degree in Sport Science (ASU)
Post Graduate Athletic Training Internship (NAU)
USAT Level 1 Coach

Having been introduced to endurance sports in his early teens Patrick went on to study Sports Science at Arizona State University while actively training and competing in triathlon, biking, and running races. Competing his first Ironman at age 20.

He has had the privilege of working with some of the top coaches in the world including USA Triathlon Team coach Bobby Magee.

Patrick has been coaching since 2009 and is passionate about helping athletes succeed in achieving their goals.

His holistic coaching approach drives his athletes’ physical, emotional and mental fitness. His trained and experienced eye for technique analysis in swimming, running and cycling allows him to provide valuable guidance for athletes not only to get more efficient and faster, but also to decrease the risk of injury.

Patrick lives in Phoenix with his wife Eva and their two kids Alec (born 2018) and Alena (born 2023). During is free time he likes to enjoy the outdoors with his family and you can frequently find him mountain biking on the South Mountain trails.

Ashley Robota

Bachelor's degree in Biology; Associates in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene.
USAT level 1 coach

Ashley is a beacon of enthusiasm and expertise in triathlon and endurance training. With a tenure spanning back to 2007, Ashley has been an integral part of our training organization, aligning with the philosophies set forth by our head coach, Bettina. Drawing from her extensive experience, Ashley's coaching mantra revolves around the core values of fun, hard work, and consistency. Her infectious energy, coupled with a friendly demeanor, creates an environment where athletes thrive and reach their fullest potential.

Ashley's competitive spirit knows no bounds, having competed in 7 World Championship events across various disciplines, including Ironman, Half-Ironman, and Xterra triathlons. Her adventurous spirit extends beyond conventional triathlon races, delving into off-road challenges such as 12 and 24-hour solo mountain bike events, trail running, and off-road triathlons. With several 1st place finishes in a variety of events, and 14 Ironman competitions under her belt, she knows what it takes to succeed in the most grueling of endurance events.

Outside of her coaching, racing, and training endeavors, Ashley finds joy in spending quality time with her husband and exploring the wonders of the world through travel. With Ashley Robota as your coach, you're not just embarking on a journey to athletic greatness—you're embracing a lifestyle of passion, dedication, and adventure.

Gustavo Warnholtz

Gus is an Aerospace Engineer and Coach with a deep passion for endurance sports performance. Married to Bettina, he has co-owned Racelab since 2000, combining their expertise to create a world-class training environment.

Gus has been coaching athletes since 1999, bringing an engineering and analytical perspective to the complexities of human athletic performance. His methodical approach has led to the development of innovative protocols, including a user-friendly heart rate-based training system that helps athletes optimize their training time and achieve peak performance.

Since 2000, Gus has leveraged data and insights gathered from thousands of Racelab athletes to continuously refine and enhance their training programs. His expertise in aerodynamics and fluid dynamics has been instrumental in improving swimming and biking performance evaluations. With a deep appreciation for the bicycle as a modern yet simple invention, Gus’s engineering background has made him an authority in cycling aerodynamics, mechanics, and efficiency.

An long-time athlete himself, Gus is a marathoner and triathlete who competed as a collegiate swimmer. In 2015, shortly after his 60th birthday, he completed his first Ironman distance triathlon in Cozumel, Mexico—a testament to his passion and commitment—and plans to conquer many more in the future.

Dave Marks

Dave joined Racelab as one of the nation's top adventure racers. He is a CAT1/Pro level Mountain Biker whose resume includes an impressive number of podium finishes in events ranging from just over two hours to just under two days. He was featured exclusively in the Outdoor Life Network's televised coverage of the Balance Bar Adventure Sprints Series and has worn the CalEco yellow leader's jersey as a member of the Epinephrine adventure racing team. When not racing, Dave works as a personal fitness trainer, adventure racing coach, mountain bike coach and freelance writer. In 1995, he spent five months running and biking through Eastern Africa.

In addition to more than 600 hours of personal, on-the-course race experience, Dave has spent years coaching both elite and amateur athletes to the podium. He is a fantastic coach who brings out the very best in his athletes.