Category: News 2
2020 Award Announcement
MDRA Recognizes two individuals for their impact on the MN Running Community
Minneapolis, Minn. – The Minnesota Distance Running Association annually recognizes achievements for the Pat Lanin Distinguished Service Award and MDRA Volunteer of the Year.
Dennis Barker, Minnesota Coach and Author, is the 2020 recipient of the Pat Lanin Distinguished Service Award. The Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA) has presented this award annually since 1982 to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the running community in Minnesota. Dennis is author of The River Road, coach of 24 U.S. National Champions & 73 top-3 finishers and is currently coach of the Nova Classical Academy Cross Country Team.
Molly McLain, MDRA Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair and Promotions Committee Member, is the 2020 recipient of the MDRA Volunteer of the Year. Since 1984, MDRA has presented this award annually to recognize a volunteer or group for their commitment of time and energy to supporting the MDRA mission. Molly volunteers to help with social media, promotions and strategy, and was instrumental in the formation of MDRA’s Diversity Committee and the drafting of the Diversity Statement.
The award winners will be recognized at the MDRA Annual Meeting which is tentatively rescheduled for summer of 2021.
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Pat Lanin is the founder of the MDRA and pioneer of the Minnesota running scene.
The Minnesota Distance Running Association is a membership supported group whose goal is to connect the Minnesota running community and support runners of all ages and abilities through education, programs, and advocacy. The group organizes a number of races and training programs during the year in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Community Giving through the MDRA Foundation
MDRA Foundation Community Giving Grants in 2020
By Tim Pratt
For most runners getting your first pair of running shoes was a life changing moment. A rite of passage. A confirmation that we were making a commitment to our love of running.
As we know running is a committed community. And MDRA members are serving as matchmakers if you will thanks to Community Giving Grants from the MDRA Foundation. Three organizations received grants this year and those organizations are using the grants on shoes, supplies and support for people who are learning to love running as much as we do.
Trinity First Cross Country Team
Trinity First is a Pre-K through eighth grade school in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. Access to outdoor spaces for physical activity is limited. The school started a cross country team as an easy entry way to get students to engage in physical activity. About 30 to 35 students from different cultural backgrounds and ability levels participate.
This year teacher Anna Schield set up a virtual fitness challenge where students can earn a new pair of running shoes. “This will be amazing for our program, because many of our students are from low income families and they come to practice in skateboard shoes, basketball shoes and general, worn out tennis shoes,” said Schield. “Having a pair of new running shoes will make a big difference in terms of their self-confidence, running form and mechanics, and all around physical movement!”
And that physical movement is helping the students more than physically. “It’s been really great to see each runner grow in their self-confidence… as they notice in practices that they are able to complete ‘more laps around the park’ at the end of the season than they could at the beginning of the season,” said Schield.
Patrick Henry Cross Country Team
Similarly, the cross country team at Patrick Henry High School in the Webber-Camden neighborhood of Minneapolis is using the grant to provide running shoes for their athletes and covering registration fees. In the past coach Emily Noel has used her personal money to cover costs.
“Quality running shoes give kids the confidence and is the first step in seeing themselves as a part of the distance running community,” said Noel. A community she notes is dominated by white culture.
Just like any good team, Noel says, “The athletes have developed a culture of acceptance balanced with a commitment to personal improvement.” Students explore running, get to be part of a community and reach personal goals. “They are committed because they run a little farther, run a little faster, hold that plank a little longer or stretch a little deeper every day to reach their goals of self-improvement. They are caring because they value and respect their teammates.”
Mile in My Shoes
Mile in My Shoes (MiMS) is based in homeless shelters and re-entry centers for people exiting incarceration. Every new Resident Member is outfitted with a new pair of running shoes and a full set of new running gear. Additionally, Members receive incentives like a GPS running watch as they achieve milestones. The MDRA grant will help cover these costs along with additional equipment such as safety gear and hydration belts.
Just like the schools, MiMS sees their participants grow physically and mentally. “MiMS is a catalyst for community building, boosting health and wellness, building leadership and self-efficacy and spurring personal and social action,” according to Executive Director Mishka Vertin.
“We have had dozens of our runners over the years complete the Twin Cities Marathon and City of Lakes Half Marathon while living at a shelter or halfway house. For those of you who have completed a distance like this – recall what it was like to train for that first long distance race. Now imagine doing that while sleeping in a room with hundreds of other people each night, having to carry around everything you owned all day and having little control over your nutrition. Those are our runners!”
Your role could go beyond the grant. Members are matched with Run Mentors. You can sign up to be a Mentor on the MiMS website www.mileinmyshoes.mn
All the grantees have a message for MDRA members, “Thank you!” “I just so appreciate MDRA for joining the running community in supporting each other and for having such a large role in that support. Thank you for all the work you do in so many areas, including helping younger runners develop an appreciation for not only running, but healthy habits of physical fitness and wellness in general,” said Trinity First’s Anna Schield.
The MDRA Foundation is set to participate in the 12th annual Give to the Max Day, set to take place Thursday, Nov. 19. 100% of #GTMD20 donations will be used to fund grants.
Tim Pratt ran track and cross country in high school, and then took a hiatus until he turned 40. He first trained with MDRA after winning a free entry into the Twin Cities Marathon. So far, he has completed seven marathons, eight half marathons, ten triathlons and numerous other races. He’s a proud MDRA member and loves the supportive atmosphere of the training classes and races.
News Release: The MDRA Foundation to participate in Give to the Max Day on November 19
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Sarah Ahlers McInerney
Minnesota Distance Running Association
The MDRA Foundation to participate in Give to the Max Day on November 19
The MDRA Foundation is set to participate in the 12th annual Give to the Max Day, set to take place Thursday, Nov. 19. Give to the Max is a giving event that raises millions each year for nearly 6,000 causes across Minnesota and beyond.
The MDRA Foundation is a 501c3 that was established in 2017. As Minnesota Distance Running Association’s philanthropic arm, its mission is to promote youth participation; provide training and education to runners; and to support the running community.
“In 2020, we were able to increase our total grants awarded to $3000 in response to recent health crises related to Covid-19 and to encourage running in diverse or marginalized communities.” says Sarah Ahlers McInerney – MDRA Operations Manager. ” Our goal is to raise $1,500 this year through Give to the Max so we can continue to support this COVID safe sport for all runners in Minnesota.”
Donate to the MDRA Foundation’s 2020 Fundraising Campaign and help support the sport we all love.
100% of your #GTMD20 donation will be used to fund grants.
About MDRA – Minnesota Distance Running Association
The Minnesota Distance Running Association was established in 1961 and is a membership supported group whose goal is to connect the Minnesota running community and support runners of all ages and abilities through education, programs, and advocacy.
About the Minnesota Distance Running Association Foundation
The Minnesota Distance Running Association Foundation 501c3 was established in 2017. As MDRA’s philanthropic arm, its mission is to promote youth participation; provide training and education to runners; and to support the running community.
About GiveMN
GiveMN is an independent nonprofit organization working to ignite generosity and grow giving through GiveMN is an independent nonprofit organization working to ignite generosity and grow giving through GiveMN.org, Minnesota’s giving marketplace, and RaiseMN, a fundraising coaching and training program.
Nominations open for Pat Lanin Distinguished Service Award
Since 1982, the MDRA has presented the Pat Lanin Distinguished Service Award annually to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the running community in Minnesota. Pat Lanin founded MDRA in 1961.
Who is eligible to be nominated?
• Any individual who has made a significant contribution to the running community in Minnesota.
• Someone who has not received this award in the past.
• Current MDRA Board of Directors are eligible to receive this award.
Who can submit nominations?
Current MDRA members, MDRA Board of Directors, MDRA staff.
Who chooses the recipient of the Pat Lanin Distinguished Service Award? MDRA Board of Directors.
Timeline:
Nominations must be received by October 31.
Award is presented at the MDRA Annual Party.
Pat Lanin Distinguished Service Award nomination form includes the following:
Nominee’s Name and contact information
Nominator’s name and contact information
Explain why this person should be awarded the Pat Lanin Distinguished Service Award. Provide specific details how this person has made significant contributions to the running community in Minnesota. Examples of information that would be helpful to include in your nomination:
- Numbers of runners impacted by individual
- Organizations that have been strengthened by individual’s contributions
- The community need they helped address
- Breadth of their impact
Past Recipients
4th Annual Community Giving Grants Awarded
Minneapolis, Minn. – MDRA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Minnesota Distance Running Association is pleased to announce the 2020 Community Giving Grant Awardees. Mile in My Shoes, the Patrick Henry High School Cross Country Team and the Trinity First School Cross Country team have each been awarded a $1,000 grant. These applicants were chosen because they further the Foundation’s mission to promote youth participation; provide training and education to runners; and/or support the running community.
Mile in My Shoes is a Minneapolis running program based out of re-entry centers for people exiting incarceration and homeless shelters. They transform lives of Resident Members and Run Mentors by running to build community, increase wellness, building leadership, and spurring personal and social action. They plan to use the funds to purchase gear for participants and adapting their programming in the era of COVID-19.
The Patrick Henry High School cross country team is in north Minneapolis within a low-income community. Their team will use the funds to help pay for shoes and registration fees for youth who otherwise would be unable to participate. Coach Emily Noel said, “…I have first-hand witnessed the joy and healing these students experience when working out.”
Similarly, Trinity First School, located in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis will use the funds to provide running store gift cards to cross country team members who meet running goals. Their team consists of approximately 35 members from diverse backgrounds whose physical activity has been limited due to park closures and safety in their neighborhoods.
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The Minnesota Distance Running Association was established in 1961 and is a membership supported group whose goal is to connect the Minnesota running community and support runners of all ages and abilities through education, programs, and advocacy.
In 2017, the MDRA Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) entity. The mission of the MDRA Foundation is: To promote youth participation; provide training and education to runners; and support the running community.
Diversity & Inclusion Plan
The Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA) mission is to support and connect the Minnesota running community. A blanket invitation to all does not equate to people from all racial backgrounds feeling welcome, heard, included, or safe within the running community. MDRA is committed to intentional actions towards ensuring that all people have access to running; can see themselves represented in the running community; and feel involved, heard, and supported. We pledge to become a community that demonstrates this better in the future than it does today.
To support this pledge, we are making changes within our organization, beginning with the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion committee. The primary focus of this committee will be to educate, promote, and support initiatives surrounding this topic, and to establish accountability towards diversity and inclusion goals.
Action Plan Details:
EDUCATE
- Create Diversity and Inclusion Committee within MDRA
- Educate* MDRA Board on the impact of systemic racism within the running community *Materials may include articles, podcasts, or other media written by BIPOC runners on their experiences. Education will be on-going.
- Commit to educating and creating awareness on issues of Diversity and Inclusion within running to our greater community by committing to sharing and promoting these resources to our network
PROMOTE
- Increase diversity in representation of runners showcased by MDRA in all media formats
- Create/continue programming that directly supports BIPOC runners
SUPPORT
- Continue and expand support to organizations who support BIPOC runners and create access to the running community
We commit to the journey of creating a more diverse running community which better represents the runners of Minnesota and beyond. We look forward to this process and encourage each of you to join us and contribute to this change in your own unique and meaningful way. We are one running community. We are one Minnesota. We are one MDRA.
MDRA Community Giving Grant
The 4th Annual Community Giving grant cycle opens June 22, 2020.
During this uncertain, unsettled time, the MDRA Foundation is looking to support entities that: have a need based on recent health crises related to Covid-19 and/or societal unrest following the killing of George Floyd; or encourage running in diverse or marginalized communities, or foster health, healing and coming together through running.
The MDRA Foundation will be awarding multiple grants in 2020 in amounts between $500 – $1,000.
2020 Timeline and Submission Information
- Grant opens for applications June 22, 2020
- Applications are due August 1, 2020.
- Notification of grant awards will be made by August 21, 2020.
- Submit your grant proposal online.
Funding Criteria
Eligible organizations can include nonprofits, schools, small running businesses, and running related organizations.
The following criteria will be considered when reviewing proposals:
- Demonstrates a need based on impact from damage related to recent unrest or impact from the pandemic.
- Running group/organization that meets our strategic goal to encourage running for marginalized or diverse populations.
- A fledgling group that furthers our mission, and needs a “kick start”.
- Fosters health, healing, and coming together through running.
Click here to apply
Read about past recipients of the Community Giving Grant!
Give to the Max for MDRA!
You could turn $10 into $10,000 for the MDRA Foundation!
Schedule your Give to the Max donation today! Your donation provides grants to the community to support running programs for kids and adults, and scholarships for MDRA running programs so people who might not have the means to do so can participate in our classes. And your donation will be eligible for random prize drawings, meaning an extra $500, $1,000, or $10,000 could be granted to the MDRA Foundation!
MEADP Solicits Applicants for 2020 Grants
The Minnesota Elite Athlete Development Program (MEADP) is accepting applications for its 2020 grants. MEADP provides grants to promising Minnesota elite distance runners who have completed their academic running careers to assist them in reaching their full athletic potential. MEADP is funded by a collaboration of Grandma’s Marathon and the Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA).
In 2020, MEADP will provide grants in amounts up to $2,000 per recipient. The grants will be awarded equally to men and women. In selecting grant recipients, the MEADP committee focuses on the following criteria:
- The athlete’s current state of athletic accomplishment
- The athlete’s potential for further athletic accomplishment
- The athlete’s contributions to the Minnesota distance running community
- The extent to which a grant will assist the athlete in reaching his or her full athletic potential.
Applications are available by contacting Neil Franz via email at: frandid@albanytel.comor cell phone
320-333-8472. Completed applications are due on or before November 30, 2019.