Open Board

My name is Marty Otten and I have been an avid distance runner since 2005. I honestly had never really run before 2001 and tried a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. The overall feeling of an organized event and the cheering really excited me. That led to several years of going greater distances until I ran my first Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) in 2005. I initially ran the marathon distance as a bucket list item, but I realized as I crossed the finish line that there were many more to come. When I am not running, I am a technology leader for Optum / United Healthcare where my team delivers the back-end components for how we manage healthcare plans. Prior to that, I was in retail with experience at Target corporation for 15 years and a few other smaller retailers. When I am not running or working, I enjoy spending time, camping and traveling with my family. My wife and I have two children who are now college bound which allows me additional time to give back to the things I love.

I initially ran and trained solo for 10 years, until 2015, when I found the Lifetime Fitness group that ran out of Plymouth, MN. I formed quick connections with the group and ended up becoming a coach for Lifetime, that same year, as the group trained for the 2015 TCM. This helped me realized that I had been missing out on the community aspect and my ability to give back to the running community. I continued that role of being a part time run coach for Lifetime until the pandemic hit in early 2020. At that time, a total of five us (myself and four other friends) started a group called the Bohemian Runners. This started from one organized event and ended up being an informal group of passionate runners that trained together and put on several events to help keep our runners excited throughout the pandemic. We helped organize training runs, plans, and weekly emails to help a group of runners train for Grandma’s full / half as well as TCM and the 10 miler. That group continues to operate going forward.

With my background and passion for running, I feel like I could add value to Run Minnesota by understanding the importance of customer experience, technology, and I know what runners are looking for in their community. Although our events and group of runners is small and organic, I would say they are representative of the entire MN / Twin Cities running community and gives me insight to how best serve this group. The mission of Run Minnesota speaks to me, and I want to continue to give back to the broader running community. Specifically, around being an advocate for runners of all ages and abilities. I often encounter people who say, “I’m not a real runner”. If you run, you are a runner…. regardless of distance. That is something our group of Bohemian Runners truly believes and excited to be part of a broader group that believes the same. I am more than willing to help out where I can best serve the group and where the most help is needed.

Open Board

Hello! My name is Morgan Jappe. A Colorado native, this year marks 10 years in the Twin Cities! I grew up with an active family, and while I didn’t inherit the “fast” genes (both my dad and sister were collegiate track athletes) I have loved being a part of race and running events for as long as I can remember. I am co-founder of the Brewery Running Series. We organize fun run events that all start and end at local breweries, cideries, taprooms and tasting rooms. My fellow co-founder (Nate Herrington) and I started this idea in 2012, outside of our respective careers (me – producer for a local marketing agency, Nate – brand consulting / business growth & development) as a way to get more involved in, and give back to our community. Our event format took hold, and we now operate over 30 events per year in Minnesota, and support 20+ other states that do the same in their area. 2022 marks our 10 year anniversary season! Our motto: as long as there’s beer – we’re running for it. Cheers!

Open Board

After a lifetime of inactivity, at age 48 I became a runner in 2015 after completing a Couch to 5k program. Since then I have consistently run and completed 7 marathons and many other races. I started and manage an informal running club (BFM Run Club, 230 members). I’ve served beer as a volunteer at races. I’m an evangelist for running! Aside from being a runner, I am a husband (Elizabeth Lake), and father of two (Dutcher (14) and Olivia (12)). I’m an attorney by profession. I was a trial lawyer for 20 years, focusing on employment law. Now, I serve the State of Minnesota as an administrative law judge (Unemployment Appeals).

I founded the BFM Run Club, an informal running club (no dues paying, non-501c3) in 2017. This was an outgrowth of a group of people on Facebook who trained and ran their inaugural marathon in 2016. We now have over 230 members, mainly located in the Twin Cities and outstate Minnesota, and members in several states. I primarily manage the BFM group on Facebook: I schedule monthly group runs and other running events (e.g. Donut Run, meet-ups), including our own marathon we held in September 2020. Basically, I try to keep the wheels spinning. In my professional life, I was the President of the Hennepin County Bar Foundation (2000-01), the fundraising arm for the Hennepin County Bar Association. We fundraised and also met to allocate those funds to other nonprofits whose missions aligned with ours. I know something about maintaining membership interest in a running club, and how a nonprofit operates. My legal skills are also of value. If chosen as a Director I know I can add value to Run Minnesota.

I would come to Run Minnesota’s Board open to any committee assignment. My interest lies with governance, publications and foundation as those are the committees best aligned with my professional skills and experience.

Open Board

Hello! I started running on my own in 1975 before my high school had girls’ track or cross country. I’ve lived and run here in St. Paul since 1981. I’ve never run on a team, nor am I much of a racer, though I’ve participated in Run Minnesota’s Como Park Relays many years. Running for me is just a part of life. As a journalist who often writes about women’s running, I like the fact that Run Minnesota has a long history (well, a long history, period) of offering racing opportunities for men and women, even before such well known organizations as the BAA. My husband and two grown daughters run, many of my friends are runners, and for the last 8 years I’ve enjoyed coaching middle school cross country. I work part-time from home so have considerable flexibility in my schedule.

Through my own experience and by interviewing others and writing about the sport, I know something about running in all its permutations—road, track, cross country, trails, ultras, competitive and recreational—and at all levels, from beginner to elite, children to master’s. I read a lot, and keep up with issues in running, locally and nationally. Journalism skills that might be handy are research, interviewing, organization, writing, and editing. I’ve contributed to Run Minnesota magazine, and volunteered on the communications team of Twin Cities In Motion. I have experience developing a training plan for 5th – 8th graders.

My writing skills make me best suited for Promotions/Advocacy and Publications, but I’m also interested in the Run Minnesota Foundation, Programs and Governance.

Open Board

When lockdown hit in March of 2020, I started running and slowly fell in love with it. I used running as a stress reliever and loved to see progress being made with consistency. I joined Run Minnesota in the Spring of 2021 but signed for my first group training for the Fall Training 2021 and the City of Lakes Half Marathon. Every chance I get, I tell people about my experience with Run Minnesota. The people and the passion of the group is something that cannot be found anywhere else. I will never forget my pace group cheering me on as I completed my longest run, the encouragement and support of our coaches each week and the ease of running routes with water stops and group guidance. I am motivated to give back to the organization that gave so much to me. I have several years of experience in strategic event planning and digital marketing expertise to share with Run Minnesota. I’d love to bring my personal and professional passions together to help grow and develop Run Minnesota for years to come.

I am a goal-driven individual who focuses on leveraging the power of marketing to grow awareness and create memorable experiences. My passion for marketing and events is only matched by my creativity and dynamic communication, all aligned to meet larger goals.

As a board member, I’d love to devote my time to the Programs, Promotions/Advocacy and Publications committees. My extensive marketing and events background and expertise will bring fresh eyes and new ideas to the table.