RUNNING BRIEFS
News and Notes from the Roads, Trails and Track
MDRA Community Giving Grant
MDRA Como Park Cross Country Relays Since 1974, this weekly event is one of the best values in running and a fun and challenging workout! All levels of runner are encouraged to compete and have fun. If you don’t have a partner, just show up early and we will find you one. The event is held at the intersection of Lexington Parkway and Horton Avenue, near Como Park in St. Paul, every Wednesday in August 2017. Kids races start at 6:30 p.m. The two-person relay starts at 6:45 p.m. The cost is $.50 for the kids race age 14 and under, $2 per runner for the relay race, age 17 and under, $5 per runner for the relay race, age 18 and over.
MDRA 15K
The Washington technology magnet’s track and field and cross country teams will receive a $500 MDRA grant this year. Submitted photo
The 36th Annual MDRA 15K (9.3 miles) will be run on Sunday, August 6, 2017, 8:00 a.m. and is one of Minnesota’s few distance certified 15K courses. Run a new distance and set a PR! The MDRA 15K also serves as the USATF Minnesota 15K Championship. This race is at Crosby Farm Park, St. Paul, Minnesota, along one of the more scenic courses in the Twin Cities metro area. $30 Preregistered USATF and MDRA Members receive a $5.00 discount. For more race information and to register online visit mdra15k.com
MDRA is pleased to announce the first recipient of the Community Giving Grant. The Washington Technology Magnet - Track & Field and Cross Country team will receive $500 to be used for team gear, providing a quality experience and building a community of runners. Their vision is in line with one of our stated goals: to promote participation in running. We are very happy to be part of supporting their effort. The grant will help them to bridge the time gap between cross country and track and field seasons. Over the winter months their athletes are unable to run when the winter weather arrives because they lack the basic exercise gear most students in the state have access to. They plan to use the grant to purchase a combination of team issued jackets, hats, gloves and pants so that their athletes can train together on their own over the winter months. Washington Technology Magnet (WTM) is a public school in the St. Paul Public School District. It is located in the North End neighborhood of St. Paul and the vast majority of students come from Frogtown, the North End and the East Side, three of the poorest neighborhoods in St. Paul with some of least accessible roads for running and lack of safe trails. Over 90 percent of students are on free and reduced lunch and almost every athlete on their cross country and track and field team is a first generation runner.
34th Annual MDRA Victory Labor Day Races
Track Thursdays with the MDRA – Free!
New Trail Running Class August 2 - September 20, 2017 Interested in trail running but don’t know where to start? Featuring weekly guest trail leaders and speakers. This class is targeting the In Yan Teopa 10 Mile Trail Run in Frontenac State Park on September 23 but is suitable for any fall trail race. No experience necessary for participants to join the class. Come learn about Trail Running – shoes, gear, races and trail locations. Group runs on Wednesdays 3-7 miles. First group run at Lebanon Hills – Lake Jensen Trail Head.
Why should you join us for Track Thursday? Miler to marathoner – interval training is the key to becoming faster at every distance! Workouts are led by certified coach Laurie Goudreault. All paces welcome! We’ll meet at the St. Paul Academy Track, Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. through August 24. The weekly workouts will be posted by Tuesday night for the upcoming Thursday night run on runmdra.org.
Polar Bear group runs year round It’s an all comers, all paces, year-round, weekly group fun run! All paces are welcome. Distances typically range from about three miles to 10 plus. We meet every Saturday at 8 a.m. Check our website for weekly run locations!
8
JULY/AUGUST 2017
PR on Minnesota’s fastest 10K course! There is a distance for everyone at this fun, family event! Can’t decide which distance? Run the Double Header! Monday, September 4, 2017, at Webber Park, North Minneapolis. The MDRA 10K begins at 8:00 a.m., Steve Williams Memorial 5K at 9:30 a.m. and the Victory Lap Kids half mile fun run is at 10:20 a.m. Register at Victoryraces.com.
Jeff Winter City of Lakes Half Marathon! The 36th edition of the Jeff Winter City of Lakes half marathon will be held Sunday, September 10, 2017, 8:00 a.m. at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis. The race is filling fast and the field is limited to 1500 entrants! Run the scenic parkways around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun as part of your fall marathon tune up or make it your fall goal race! Secure your spot in this classic Minnesota half marathon! $55 registration between June 1 and July 31. Register at cityoflakeshalfmarathon.com
Upcoming MDRA Programs
