Aubree was kind enough to message and tell us her running story! Aubree ran her first half in 2010 and said it was a disaster. “I was in pain and tears by mile 7” but she finished! Shortly after that she found out she pregnant and did not run again until 2013. In 2013, Aubree signed up for Twin Cities half marathon on a whim a few months before the race. That year Aubree made a goal to run 100 half marathons in her lifetime! Running the Rapids will be half marathon number 94!!! Way to go with reaching a goal Aubree, congrats on making it so far!

Meet Anna. Anna ran the half marathon last year with her dad, Mike Johnson. One thing that made this race special for them is that they ran it together on his birthday. Something that Anna enjoys most about running is the runners high, “The feeling is one of a kind and when you’re in that runners high it makes the run even more enjoyable.” Anna grew a love for running at a young age; she ran a lot with her dad so by nature she ran track in high school. In preparation for the half marathon Anna would run 3-4 miles on her personal training days. On Saturdays her and Mike would run 9-10 miles, almost as if it was like good old days running together. Mike and Anna ran the half marathon together, on Mike’s birthday. When asked how it felt to run with her dad throughout the race on that special day Anna said “It was an incredible accomplishment and I feel so lucky that I get to run a half marathon with my dad.” Anna has ran several half marathons through her life, as well as Mike. Anna may not run the 5k for Running The Rapids but she advocates that running a 5k is a great way to get into running. “I love the community aspect of running a 5k, it is a great way to get into running.”

Meet, Chris! Chris started running 16 years ago when she had the desire to get back in shape after having 4 kids! Being that Chris lives in a rural area, options were limited for working out so she started running!! “Every time I cross a finish line feels It like an accomplishment…possibly because I don’t always train the best!” Chris decided to run Running The Rapids when she convinced a couple of high school friends to run the 5K last year, being it coincided with their class reunion. She would describe running the race as a great time and she is excited to run the half this year “The course goes right by my friend’s parent’s house and I expect a big cheering section at their driveway!” Running The Rapids Committee hopes there is a big cheering section for you and the runners this year!!!

Meet Courtney. Courtney had never really ran before 2018. But with a new focus of improving her health, Courtney set a personal goal to run a 5K. She chose Running the Rapids 5K as it would give her all summer to train and it was right in her community. Courtney surprised herself as she began to train and learned that running could actually be fun and she enjoyed it! Putting her music on loud and running outside was something she started to look forward to. Courtney and her dear friend Katy ran the 5K together. “We both set the expectation that we just wanted to finish. And we did, with smiles.” They enjoyed their experiences so much that both agreed to do a second 5K that fall, of which they did. “I have never been a “fit” person so signing up for a race was intimidating. I wasn’t sure if I would belong. Running the Rapids proved that I am a runner, I belong, and anyone can do it.” Courtney encourages anyone who wants to get active at any level to give Running the Rapids a shot. Courtney said the race committee members and those in the crowd during the race were so supportive and encouraging. Courtney already has this year’s Running the Rapids on her calendar and looking forward to getting outdoors with her music on loud and running. #RunNorth

Meet Dan. Dan ran Running the Rapids Half Marathon last year, with his wife. Dan has ran half marathons such as the Disney half, Garry Bjorklund [which is associated with Grandma’s] and of course Running the Rapids. When asked what made Dan want to run Running the Rapids he replied “The fact it is a local race, partly because it was the first one for Running the Rapids and I enjoy running.” Dan is planning on running the half marathon again this year and is already signed up!!

Meet Heike. Heike reached out to us after seeing our post about sharing a running story. She was inspired to start running in 2012, after a friend of her dropped dead at 79 years of age while trying on a pair of running shoes. Heike then registered for and completed what would have been his 30th Walker, MN 10k (he was a founder of the race). “After that first race I was hooked”, Heike went back to the race in Walker the following year to do the half marathon. A month later she did her first full marathon in Bemidji. Heike has done 24 hour races with a personal record of 53 miles!! She has also done four marathons and a dozen half marathons. But she would say her favorite is running hills and roads compared to running trails. Heike is hoping to run a marathon relay with her children one day while her husband runs along side them in a full.

Meet the Lost Dog Pacers crew! This crew is a generous volunteer group that helps with race pacing for runners! The Lost Dog pacing crew has been involved with many races such as Get in Gear, Maple Grove, Waddle Like a Duck, From the Heart Run, Red White and Boom, Grandma’s Marathon, Wild Hog Marathon, and Twin Cities Marathon. The Lost Dog crew doesn’t simply pick a race by random, they look for characteristics such as races that are committed to helping their runners succeed. They also try to find races that are easy to get to, since pacers are all unpaid volunteers, they need to take travel costs into consideration. Finally, they like to pace in a community that is welcoming of the visitors and runners. “We look forward to returning to Running the Rapids, there is wonderful community support, the course is scenic, and the runners are amazing”.

Meet, Kyle. Kyle is last years winner of the Running The Rapids half marathon! Kyle heard about Running the Rapids online and chose to participate in the half marathon because he was born in Grand Rapids, it was on one of his days off and he used to do the 10k at Tall Timber Days “I thought Running The Rapids would be a nice opportunity to get back up there.” When asking Kyle how it felt to cross the finish line and win the race he replied “Honestly, being I have won a few races I no longer am worried about winning. I run more for the time; to try to get my best time.” Kyle is signed up for Running the Rapids again this year. “I am looking forward to running the half marathon again to try to beat my time.”