President’s Letter

DAVE MAREK

Hello runners,

I hope this letter finds you well and running better than ever. We have another great issue of RunMinnesota for you and I hope you take the time to read it from cover to cover. I personally enjoyed Nathan Campeau’s article “Where Should I Spend My Running Dollar?” Very well written and researched. There is also a wonderful article about KwePack runners, some important safety reminders, a couple food articles and much more to round out this quarter’s magazine. Thank you to all our authors.

In the past I’ve often written about how running is a sport that can be enjoyed as an individual or with a group for people of all ages and paces. No matter if your goal is to just finish a race, win an age group award or use running to get in shape you will likely find others who share your goal. My personal experience has been mainly with adult runners as I picked up the running bug later in life myself. However, this spring I was privileged to get an up close look at some of the younger generation getting their first introduction to running and racing.

First, some background. My youngest daughter loves swimming and has been at it for years. I always thought she would be a good runner as she has run a few 5K’s with me but had never kept at it on a consistent basis and I never pushed her. She had on occasion told me she might try track once she got to high school (she just finished her freshman year) and lo and behold one night back in March she informed me that she was going to give it a try. Now, it didn’t hurt that five or six of her swimming buddies decided to go out for track as well but that’s another story.

It brought me a lot of happiness over the course of this spring to watch them run and compete. (And by “spring” I mean late winter and early summer as we didn’t really have spring but that’s another letter altogether). Now they weren’t the fastest runners out there but they gave it their all. They set goals, worked hard and were quite serious about improving. And improve they did with some of their best races at the big meets at the end of the season. Almost better than that, they thoroughly enjoyed the social aspect of training runs, pasta dinners before meets and cheering each other on in races. There were constant smiles and I believe they are hooked and will be back for more.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I was also struck by how the “older”, more experienced runners on the team welcomed and helped the new-to-the-sport younger runners. From practice to the how’s and why’s and what’s of track meets, there was tremendous leadership exhibited. It was clear to me that there are a lot of really good kids out there in this world.

Then one day it dawned on me that some of the things I was watching with these kids on this team were some of the same things I see in adult running groups like our marathon training classes and Saturday Polar Bear runs and at our MDRA races. The joy of running with a group of friends, the support that those groups offer one another, the pursuit of goals whether big or small and the non-running social components aren’t limited to the young or not so young. It is truly a testament to this wonderful sport that this is clearly a lifetime activity that we can all enjoy and appreciate. Whether you choose to run with a group or alone, keep it up and remember to have fun!

Now on to some MDRA business. The Board of Directors is very grateful to have a wonderful treasurer the past couple of years in Nathan Klema. Unfortunately, Nathan will be leaving us shortly and we are looking for someone to step up and fill his shoes. This is the one

Nick Ross of Minneapolis won the 2018 MDRA Lake Johanna 4-miler. He had a time of 21:17. Photo by Chad Richardson

position on the board that we would like some related experience whether in finance or accounting. If you or anyone you know may be interested please contact Sarah at mdrasarah@gmail.com.

The Board is also pleased to announce our second annual Community Giving Grant was awarded in May to the Twin Cities Track Club Foundation. They will use the $500 grant to help put on the TCTC Kids City Cross Country League this summer. A wonderful venture that will help foster and develop interest in running and it aligns perfectly with one of MDRA’s stated goals of promoting participation in running. Especially with our youth! Congratulations TCTC Foundation.

As always, I thank you for being a member of the MDRA. And if you are reading this and aren’t a member please check out our website at runmdra.org and get yourself signed up.

Dave Marek President, MDRA Board of Directors

TIM Christman is a chef by trade and an active runner, who has 15 completed marathons. He currently sells butter and dairy products for a small local creamery in central Minnesota, and caters on the side, specializing in weddings, funerals and other special events. “Feed you, marry you, and bury you” would be on the side of his bucket-list food truck.

TIM CHRISTMAN

Nate Leckband has been running off and on since his junior year of high school in 2000 and has been hooked ever since running the Twin Cities Marathon in 2009. He’s raced in distances from the mile to the 50K. He currently works as a teacher and coach and enjoys running with his wife and pushing his son in the jogging stroller. You can read his blog at tchuskerrunning.blogspot.com.

NATE LECKBAND

Nathan began running in 1997 as a way to explore his new surroundings in Washington, DC. He fell in love with running and ran the first of his 30+ marathons/ultras in 2000. In 2003 Nathan discovered the beauty of the Minneapolis trail system while running the Twin Cities Marathon. A few months later he moved to Minnesota and immediately joined MDRA. During his 12+ years with MDRA Nathan has coached several MDRA marathon training programs and currently serves on the Board. Nathan also leads the Polar Bear runs, where he met his wife, Kari, in 2015.

NATHAN CAMPEAU

Mark is the owner and founder of Performance Running Gym in St Louis Park. Mark is a certified personal trainer and a certified USATF Level 1 coach. Mark has run many road marathons and most recently several 100, 50 and 50K trail ultramarathons.

MARK JOHNSON

Sarah Barker runs and writes from her dining room in St. Paul. She really enjoys the Como Park Relays, and really doesn’t enjoy being photographed.

SARAH BARKER

Senior Editor:

Gloria Jansen

Art Director:

Chad Richardson

Advertising Coordinator/Sales:

Sarah Ahlers McInerney

Photographer:

Wayne Kryduba

Results:

Jack Moran

MDRA Officers:

Dave Marek, President Randy Fulton, Vice President Jenny Harrington, Secretary Nathan Klema, Treasurer

MDRA Board Members:

Rochelle Christensen, Kathy Larsen, Rick Recker, Sarah Stangl, Wendy Jones, Kelly May, Dennis Barker, David Daubert, Damon Rothstein

Contact RunMinnesota!

RunMinnesota P.O. Box 6419 Minneapolis, MN 55406-0419 runminnesota@gmail.com

RunMinnesota magazine is published four times a year and is produced by the Minnesota Distance Running Association. RunMinnesota is available through a member subscription or at select retail locations. To get RunMinnesota mailed to you, join online at runmdra.org.