Author: Sarah McInerney

Nathaniel Parlin

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

Open Board

I am an avid, life long runner, career professional in the IT area of the Financial Services Industry with 21 consecutive years of service at the same company, 10 years of military experience, have been married for 2o years, am a father of 3, and am seeking an opportunity to participate in the board of a non-profit organization that is focused on an inclusive, active life style that provides value to the communities it operates in. Running – I have completed 4 marathons, participated in 13 Ragnars, captaining 11 of those teams and seek to run a race monthly. I participate annually in the RBC Race for the Kids through my employer, and it represents the community focused nature of these running events I love.

I have a passion for running that centers on the ceremony of a group of like minded individuals getting together to celebrate by participating in recreational, year round running events/races. Giving a bit back to the community as part of your organization sounds like an awesome opportunity. 

I have an MBA in MIS and Operational Management Systems and a BS degree in Finance from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. I am a Director of IT at RBC Wealth Management, which has multiple annual events focused on Community Involvement or Give Back programs. I have worked at RBC for 21 years, 18 of those in leadership positions, 15 of those in Management. I spent 10 years in the US Army Reserves and National Guards, where I receiving an honorable discharge in 2004 at the conclusion of my second contract. I left that organization as a Sargent, leading a team of communication and telecom systems repair specialists.

I am a life long runner experiences ranging across an extremely diverse group of events, ranging track to cross country, road to trail, individual to relay and quarter mile to Superior Trail Marathon. I believe this range experiences would bring value to your board. As a first year member, and individual with limited board experience (I was the treasurer of our local cub scouts unit for 6 years), I am flexible in the area of focus asked of me, and am rather simply seeking an opportunity to serve on a board and provide value back to our communities.

Aligning with my experience and passions, I think I could provide value in the areas of Inclusion, Foundation and Promotions, and would welcome the opportunity to represent the organization on outside committees. As a new member, I am flexible but I am passionate about the inclusiveness of running.

Everyone can set and achieve their individual goals and feel a sense of accomplishment. This role specifically caught my eye because I enjoy the aspects of this organization I have been exposed to. I have only participated in the Run Minnesota 12k (Now the Ron Daws 12k), but was registered for the Lake Johanna 4 Miler before the pandemic set in. I love your publication that comes with registration to the Run Minnesota.

Group Runs resume on 2/20

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney


Register here for upcoming group runs

Join us on Saturdays at 8am for an informal group run hosted by Run Minnesota Team Leads. Distances typically range from 3 miles to 10+ and all paces are welcome. Bring your own hydration and enjoy a run with a friendly welcoming group. Routes will be loosely organized in the spirit of past Polar Bear Runs. 

In a typical year, run locations change from week to week. With Covid precautions we will be meeting at the Lake Calhoun Executive Center Parking Lot to provide ample space for social distancing.  Preregistration is required and opens every Thursday for the upcoming Saturday run. 

While we are excited to be taking this step towards a return to “normal” Run Minnesota Polar Bears group runs, we are still very much in the midst of a global pandemic and precautions must be taken to mitigate the risks of spreading the COVID-19 virus. To that end, please read and understand the following guidelines to be implemented at all Run Minnesota Polar Bear group runs. This is a changing and serious situation, and continuous communication is so important. Please know we’re here for your questions and the ever-present gray areas. Additionally, we understand that you may not personally agree with or find necessary all of the guidelines below. However, when you run with this group, you are representing Run Minnesota. Adhering to these guidelines is appreciated, and mandatory for participation. 

Guidelines for participating in Run Minnesota group runs:

  • Pre-Registration and Attendance – You are required to sign up for group runs in advance on the Run Minnesota Website. Participation will be limited to comply with current state guidelines and information needed for contact tracing will be collected. Run Minnesota volunteers will do a roll cal prior to the start of the group run. Anyone who is not preregistered will be instructed to run on their own. 
  • Health Survey – all runners are required to complete the online safety survey emailed to you within a 48 hour time period prior to attendance. 
  • Remain Socially Distanced –  Gather with at least six feet of distance. Do not hug, high-five or fist pump others as you would during a typical group run – big smiles and air-fives will have to do for now. Runners will be sent off in staggered starts.
  • Have a Face Mask – We will follow state guidelines and not require runners to wear a face mask while running. However, runners are required to wear a face mask when they are around others and not actively running – such as when gathering or departing a group run or taking group photos.
  • Do not attend a group run if you’ve had an elevated temperature (over 100 degrees) in the past three days.
  • Do not attend a group run if you have any of the symptoms related to COVID-19 per the CDC website that include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Do not attend a group run if you have any known exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days, or until you have a confirmed negative COVID-19 test that took place at least five days post-exposure.
  • Do notify Run Minnesota runminnesota@gmail.com immediately if you have attended a group run and within 14 days test positive for COVID-19.  

COVID Guidelines for Group Runs

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

Guidelines for participating in Run Minnesota group runs 

  • Pre-Registration and Attendance – You are required to sign up for group runs in advance on the Run Minnesota Website. Participation will be limited to comply with current state guidelines and information needed for contact tracing will be collected. Run Minnesota volunteers will do a roll call prior to the start of the group run. Anyone who is not preregistered will be instructed to run on their own. 
  • Health Survey – all runners are required to complete the online safety survey emailed to you within a 48 hour time period prior to attendance.
  • Remain Socially Distanced – Gather with at least six feet of distance. Do not hug, high-five or fist pump others as you would during a typical group run – big smiles and air-fives will have to do for now. Runners will be sent off in staggered starts.
  • Have a Face Mask – We will follow state guidelines and not require runners to wear a face mask while running. However, runners are required to wear a face mask when they are around others and not actively running – such as when gathering or departing a group run.
  • Do not attend a group run if you’ve had an elevated temperature (over 100 degrees) in the past three days.
  • Do not attend a group run if you have any of the symptoms related to COVID-19 per the CDC website that include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Do not attend a group run if you have any known exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days, or until you have a confirmed negative COVID-19 test that took place at least five days post-exposure.
  • Do notify Run Minnesota at runminnesota@gmail.com immediately if you have attended a group run and within 14 days test positive for COVID-19.  

Heidi Miler

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

Race Director

Heidi grew up in St. Cloud, MN a swimmer at age 6 and runner soon after. 

She ran track, played basketball and swam at St. Cloud Tech High School having great coaches and teammates to inspire her passions and learn to love competing. After HS, Heidi attended Hamline University competing in swimming as an All-American distance swimmer and running cross country and track.

After College Heidi was a professional triathlete for 4 years before starting a family with Tom Miler. After the triathlete “career” Heidi worked at Marathon Sports where she met many amazing legends of our Running Community. She was encouraged into becoming the Volunteer Coordinator for the Minnesota Distance Running Association (now Run Minnesota) from a co-worker at Marathon Sports and the rest is history (as they say).  A few years into the volunteer coordinator role the Office Manager Position opened up and Heidi took that job for MDRA from 1991 to 2016. A few years later Heidi came back to the organization in the Race Director position and has been in that role for 3 years.  She enjoys working with Sarah and the race committee to help Run Minnesota host quality races.  Heidi enjoys visiting with the old time members and also loves seeing a new runner complete their first Trail Classic or City of Lakes Half Marathon. 

Heidi is also the Head Swim Coach for the WEST Express Swim Team. A USA Swim team in the Chaska/Chanhassen area that has 200+ youth swimmers. 

Find a Group

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney4 Comments

Whether you’re training for a marathon or looking for accountability, connecting with other runners can provide encouragement and camaraderie. Some run groups have regularly scheduled runs while others offer a Facebook page for runners to connect on their own.

Find a Club or Group Near you

Central 

Northland

Northwest

Southern

SouthWest

West Central

Twin Cities

Exciting News!

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

The Minnesota Distance Running Association is now Run Minnesota.

2021 marks our 60th anniversary! The Minnesota Distance Running Association was the first running organization in the state and the eighth in the country. It is the foundation on which Minnesota’s robust running community has been built.

A lot has changed in the last 60 years, and we, like many organizations, find ourselves at a crossroads. To honor MDRA’s pioneering legacy and to position us to be around for another 60 years, we’re changing our name to Run Minnesota! 

Learn more about our new name and rebrand below and be on the lookout for exciting new things to come from Run Minnesota. 

Here for the long run.

A letter to our members

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

A Letter to our Members

2021 marks our 60th anniversary! The Minnesota Distance Running Association was the first running organization in the state and the eighth in the country. It is the foundation on which Minnesota’s robust running community has been built. That’s all thanks to you, our members. 

The Times They are a Changin’: MDRA is Now Run Minnesota!

A lot has changed in the last 60 years, and we, like many organizations, find ourselves at a crossroads. To honor MDRA’s pioneering legacy and to position us to be around for another 60 years, we’re changing our name to Run Minnesota! 

The History of Run Minnesota 

Sometimes finding the way forward requires taking a look back at where we’ve been and why the organization started in the first place. MDRA started in 1961 as the Minnesota Road Runners Club (MRRC). Back then, outside of collegiate sports and the Olympics, it was not common for everyday people to run. 

MRRC planted the sport of running in Minnesota by holding races, standardizing distances, and publishing race results. They established the idea that anyone can run, including women and POC of any age and skill level, and provided the resources for runners to get started. 

The name was changed from MRRC to Minnesota Distance Running Association in 1972 in order to include all kinds of races—road, track, trail, cross country, relays—and to include all Minnesota runners. 

Inclusivity has been at the heart of our organization from the very beginning. 

There’s a Runner in All of Us

It’s the next level of inclusivity that’s driving the change to Run Minnesota. Distance running can sound intimidating and does not translate to a recreational runner. Run Minnesota is more descriptive, inclusive, and welcoming—our new brand name will help us provide valuable resources to a broader, more diverse group of runners moving forward. The new name also aligns with our Run Minnesota Magazine which will relaunch as a digital publication mid-2021. 

Thank you and be on the lookout for exciting new things to come from Run Minnesota.

Here for the long run.

Run Minnesota FAQs

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

Q: What is Run Minnesota?

A: Run Minnesota is the new brand for the organization known as the Minnesota Distance Running Association.

Q: Why is the name changing to Run Minnesota?

A: Our organization is for all runners, no matter your distance or pace.  To many, “distance running” is intimidating and does not feel inclusive to the recreational runner. First impressions matter. Run Minnesota is welcoming, simpler and more descriptive of who we are and what we do. The name will position us for another 60 years of providing valuable resources to a broader, more diverse group of runners.

Q: How was the new name chosen?

A:  A sub-committee of the board collaborated with local branding expert, Jeff Bull, to facilitate this exciting change in our club.  The group met with Jeff and his team over the course of 7 months to consider who we currently “are” and our dreams for the future of the club. 

Q: Is the Minnesota Distance Running Association Foundation name also changing?

A: No, to clarify the separation of our 501c3 philanthropic arm of the club from the day to day operations, we’ve decided to keep the Foundation name the Minnesota Distance Running Association Foundation. You can make a tax deductible donation here.

Q: Will MDRA race names also change?

A: Any race with MDRA in the title will become Run Minnesota. For example, the MDRA 15K will become the Run Minnesota 15K.  We will use Run Minnesota to help improve the connection of the membership organization with our races.  For example, the Jeff Winter City of Lakes, presented by Run Minnesota.

Q: Has the name changed before?

A:  Yes!  The organization was originally called the Minnesota Road Runners Club.  In 1972 the name was changed to Minnesota Distance Running Association to better reflect the organization’s mission.  They wanted to be taken seriously (running was still a fringe sport) when applying for the non profit status with the IRS.

Q: When does this change take place?

A: Our new name is effective per our press release announcement on Feb 10, 2021! 

Q: How can I stay connected to Run Minnesota? (website, social media channels/handles, etc).

Our new URL is run-minnesota.org, however those who search our old name or website, will be redirected to the new site.

Run Minnesota is on Instagram,  Facebook, and Twitter

Q: Where can I buy new Run Minnesota gear?

A: Run Minnesota gear can be purchased on our new website: run-minnesota.org. Members receive discounts on new Run Minnesota gear.

Q: How can I join or renew a Run Minnesota membership?

A:  Membership information can be found on our website at: run-minnesota.org

Q: Can I make a donation to Run Minnesota?

A: Yes, you can make a donation to support Run Minnesota operations or programs here.

Donations to Run Minnesota are NOT tax deductible.

Q: What about the business / coaching service RunMN?

A: We reached out to Kelly Mortenson of RunMN and received his “blessing” when we were considering the Run Minnesota name.

Q. Will there be a vote on the name?

A. The Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of the name change to Run Minnesota and the organization will be adding it as a DBA (doing business as).

Q. What grants the Board of Directors this power?

A. Under the bylaws – Section 4.5. Powers of Directors 10.To have and exercise such powers as are necessary or convenient to effect the purposes stated in Section 2.1 (the Mission of the Organization.)

Q: Will the bylaws be affected by the name change?

A:  The bylaws will not need to change unless the organization decides to fully adopt Run Minnesota. Currently the organization is the Minnesota Distance Running Association DBA (doing business as) Run Minnesota 

Q: Where can I send any follow up questions?

A: For any additional questions related to the renaming, please contact us at 

hello@run-minnesota.com

COVID UPDATE

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

COVID-19 has altered our traditional group training and race schedule for 2021. Our schedule is dependent on Minnesota and Local Government guidelines on Organized Sports and Gathering Requirements. Registration will not open until we know with (some) certainty the regulations and guidelines to safely conduct our programs.

 

Sign up for email updates below. 

Our Polar Bear “All Are Welcome” group runs will tentatively begin February 20th with limited pod sizes and online sign up required.


Subscribe to group Run updates

Our Spring Marathon and Half Marathon Group Training Programs will tentatively kick off with the first group run on March 13th.  We will have 20 guaranteed entries to the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon for class registrants.


Subscribe to training updates

Our 2021 Race Schedule tentatively kicks off on April 17, 2021.  We will determine whether to open each race for registration no later than one month prior to race day. 


Subscribe to Race updates

Robyn Cousin

Posted onAuthorSarah McInerney

Open Board

I discovered my joy of running in 2003 when I ran my first 10K. I participated in several 5K and 10K’s recreationally over the next few years. In 2017 I ran my first marathon, Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth. I also ran the Twin Cities Marathon that October but then suffered some knee injuries and had to scale back. I completed a few 5K and 10K’s, Grandma’s Marathon and the TC10 mile in 2018 and the Rock and Roll half marathon in DC in 2019 but recurring knee issues have sidelined me for a while. I’m also doing the virtual TC 10K this fall, although it will be more fast walking than running. I’m slowly getting healthy again and my goal is to build up to running 5Ks and 10Ks this year.

I bring a multitude of experiences serving on several boards, primarily with nonprofits at both the local and national level. This includes ‘working’ as well as ‘strategic’ boards, focusing on governance, policy and monitoring. I have had the privilege of serving in multiple leadership positions during my career, including president, vice-president, chair, vice-chair and treasurer. Currently I serve on the board of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Program board.

My special talents are strategic planning, organizational development, training and development and work in the field of volunteerism, community involvement, equity and inclusion and racial justice.

Initially I would like to focus on advocacy and how creating a more diverse and inclusive membership could strengthen the organization. Unfortunately running is perceived by many I know as an elitist activity and cliquish. My interest is in creating a space for running to be embraced by more of our disenfranchised communities.