Elena grew up in the Twin Cities and attended Bloomington Jefferson High School, where she was a two-time all-state honoree. She was a part of school record-setting teams in the 4x400m and 4x800m relays, and ran personal best times of 59.52 (400m), 2:16 (800m), 5:17 (1600m), and 11:40 for 3200m. She attended the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate, competing unattached as a freshman, and as a Gopher cross country athlete during her second year. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her collegiate career, and she ended up shifting to road running as she finished her degree.

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Elena had already done some impressive work on the roads before joining Minnesota Distance Elite in the fall of 2024. She finished 5th in her first marathon at the 2021 Twin Cities In Motion Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, 2nd in the 2022 Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon, and 16th at the 2023 Aramco Houston Half Marathon in a then two minute PR. She also qualified for the 2024 USA Olympic Trials Marathon with a 7th place 2:30:51 run at the 2023 Grandma's Marathon.

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While on the team Elena has set some impressive PRs across the full range of distances including in the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. In 2025 she was 4th at Save the 10,000m with Des and Kara, 5th in the 5K at the Bryan Clay Invitational, and 12th at the USA 20K Championships. Elena ran the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon finishing 12th on the day in her first pro race at a major marathon. While pursuing her goals as a runner, she is also working towards a graduate degree in Neuroscience.