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IN THIS ISSUE
Run Wild Missoula Executive Director: Time Passes And The Fun Continues
Missoula All Women's Diva Day 5K: October 8
21st Annual Pumpkin Run: October 15
Back of the Pack Run/Social: October 22
Annual Member Meeting: October 26
Member Awards Nomination Link!
Missoula Marathon Registration Is Open
Montana Cup
Member Spotlight: Shanel Curtis
Member Spotlight: Nomination Form
Around Town
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Every Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. at Dornblaser.







Mount Jumbo Elk Ramble, November 5, 10:00 a.m.,
Hellgate Soccer Fields, Lincoln Hills

Turkey Day 8K and 3K Family Fun Run, November 24, 9:30 a.m., McCormick Park

Last Wednesday Beer Run, November 30, 6:00 p.m., Double Front Chicken


RUN WILD MISSOULA INFORMATION


RESULTS & PHOTOS

October 2016
Run Wild Missoula Executive Director: Time Passes And The Fun Continues
by Tony Banovich, Executive Director
 
731 days, almost 3 dozen races, 2 Missoula Marathons, over 20,000 race participants, approxi mately 1,000 class participants and one million tons of fun. Those are some of the milestones that have comprised my first two years as Run Wild Missoula's Executive Director. A lot of effort goes into producing all of the races, classes and events that RWM hosts during the year. But, it's rewarding, inspirational and (most of all) fun. A few observations from the past two years.

As an organization, Run Wild Missoula is led by a volunteer board of directors who are fully engaged and completely committed to the success of the club.
 
Since all of the RWM staff are runners themselves, they "get" what it takes to put on top quality events.  They are committed to operating this club as a professional organization and being a responsible member of Missoula's nonprofit community. 
 
I'm always humbled by the willingness to serve that is demonstrated by our amazing volunteers - over and over and over again. RWM would not exist in our current form if it wasn't for th is outstanding corps of volunteers.
 
It's so easy to be inspired by the efforts of our club members. Like Trisha Drobeck participating in the Olympic Trials Marathon. Or the first timers in the Marathon Training Class. Or Myrtle Miller walking the half marathon at age 83. And Bob Hayes still going strong at 90. And watching the release of emotions as someone finishes their first race.
 
I love to take part in our classes and social activities. Hanging out with club members during and after beer runs is a blast. Meeting new people while out on a training run is special. And it' s always a good day when I get to tag along during Saturday morning breakfast runs.
 
I'm proud of how open and inclusive club members are to the full array of runners and walkers. Young and old. Large and small. Fast and slow. They all get welcomed into this big, active family.

In the big picture, our sport is really just about getting outside to play. But, to me, it's important play. By promoting running and walking for people of all ages and abilities, we're encouraging the community to become fitter, healthier and more active. In our own way, we help people to improve their quality of life, self-confidence and sense of well-being. Those are all good things. And I'm proud to be part of a club that is having such a positive impact in our community. It's been a great two years; and, I'm excited to see what the future brings.

As always, s ee you on the roads, tracks and trails
 
Tony   
Missoula All Women's Diva Day 5K: October 8
Celebrate women in Missoula, and throughout Western Montana, at the Missoula All Women's Diva Day 5K Run/Walk event!  Join our community of mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, friends and family and make the most of this awesome morning filled with physical activity, camaraderie and laughter.  

Be part of an event that raises awareness about women's breast health - and help us celebrate survivorship, as we recognize race day participants who have survived cancer. 

Want to volunteer?  Email  rwmdivas@gmail.com 
  
Get a group together, form a team and dress in Diva-inspired costumes, or just show up in your sporty best, ready to have a great time! 
Fun - Celebration - Support - Survival - What a great way to spend your morning!!!

Race Date & Time:  Saturday, October 8, 2016, 9:30 a.m. start time.
Race Distance:  5K (3.1 Miles) -  Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome.
Location:  Start and Finish on campus of  Community Medical Center 
Click HERE to register. 
21st Annual Pumpkin Run: October 15

The 21st annual Pumpkin Run will be Saturday, October 15th at Silver Park near the Osprey Baseball Stadium.  Race day registration will start at 8:45 am, the 400 meter kids 12 and under run will start at 9:45 am, and the 5K will start around 10:09 am.  Race day registration cost is $17 for the 5K and $4 for the kids 400 meter run.  For more race details and to save a few dollars please pre-register by clicking HERE.  
 
Proceeds from the Pumpkin Run will help fund a solar panel project at Council Groves Apartments off 3rd Street.  Council Grove Apartments are low-income housing governed by a Board of Directors whose members come from sponsoring groups such as the Knights of Columbus and the Secular Franciscans.  The project will help reduce the energy cost so that money can be freed up for other tenant benefits and the project will be used as an educational opportunity about energy consumption.
 
A new sponsor for this year's event is the Missoula Federal Credit Union.  Thanks also to the sponsors who have supported this event year after year; Montana Ace Hardware, The Runners Edge, The Good Food Store and The Book Exchange.  On behalf of the Pumpkin Run, please frequent these businesses and feel free to thank them for their support.
 
Now to the most important part of the race: who is the overall winner?  Since last year's overall winner place did not have the integer 7 in it, the overall winner for 2016 will be 147th.  Not a whole lot of logic in this choice, but there is a bit of chaos theory in there somehow. We have added new age categories this year, so more prizes to go around.
 
Hope to see you in October!  If you wish to volunteer at packet pick-up Saturday morning or be a course sweeper, please contact Ben Schmidt by clicking HERE.  
 
Benjamin Schmidt, Race Director  
Back of the Pack Run/Social: October 22
BOP
Saturday October 22, 3:00 pm
Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville.

Meet at the trailhead parking lot on Wildfowl Drive  (NOT the Refuge Visitor Center) for 2-4 mile walk and/or run
 

Convene afterward at Blacksmith Brewing Company in downtown Stevensville. Bring potluck snacks to share and purchase beverages
from the brewery.  Non-alcoholic options available.
For questions, or more information, please contact Pam Gardiner, wellbuddies@gmail.com 
Annual Member Meeting: October 26

Remember to RSVP for the Annual Member Meeting on October 26
th . In addition to acting as our annual meeting, it's also the 10 th birthday of Run Wild Missoula. That's right, RWM's articles of incorporation were accepted by the State of Montana on October 26, 2006. We'll have a short group run at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner and meeting at 6:30 PM. We're moving the even t to the Northern Rockies Heritage Center at Fort Missoula this year. Just click HERE
to get more information and to RSVP/Register for the evening. 
Nominate Members for Awards!
Who amazes you?
It's time to nominate your fellow RWM members for recognition.  There are 9 categories (Runners of the Year, BOPer or Walker of the Year, Inspirational Runner, etc.).  Nominations are due by October 14th and the can be done by clicking HERE.  
We have some amazing runners and walkers as members of Run Wild Missoula - let's make sure that they get the recognition they deserve!!

 
Missoula Marathon Registration Is Open
Trust me - I know that it seems l ike just last week that the 2016 Missoula Marathon wrapped up. But, we've been already been working on planning for the 2017 event; and, by the time you get this newsletter, our first big milestone will have been achieved.

Registration for the 2017 Missoula Marathon opened on October 1 st ! We couldn't be more ex cited as we now start the build-up towards the 11 th edition of this amazing community event. Go to www.missoulamarathon.org to register. (Be sure to login as a RWM member to receive your registration discount.) Or, click HERE.

Why sign up now? Receive the lowest registration rate possible. And, custom names on race bibs will only be available to those who register by January 31 st . Make the commitment now - this gives you plenty of time to coordinate your training so that you can have your best ever Missoula Marathon!
Montana Cup
Did you participate in cross country in high school and miss the fun team atmosphere? Or, have you never tried cross country and wondering what all the fuss is about? Well, come the end of October, you'll have your chance to take part and to represent as part of Team Missoula. The annual Montana Cup cross country meet will be held on Saturday, October 29 th in Bozeman, MT.
 
From the Montana Cup website: "The Montana Cup cross-country meet offers an exploration of Montana's magnificent open spaces. It is not a road race, nor is it an ultra-endurance trail run; it's a team event, which brings together runners from all of Montana's cities for competition, racing across country, for the glory of claiming a "traveling trophy" - the Montana Cup. The Montana Cup's underlying mission is to unite the state's widespread runners & running communities, to foster continued training & racing among Montana runners of all ages, and to leave each participant thinking ... " that course was excellent, exciting & beautiful! "
 
All ages and abilities are welcome. This is running and racing far removed from the flat, road 5K's that seem to dominate the local race calendar. Get out and try something new - you'll be challenged; but, you'll have a blast at the same time.  Click HERE for more information and to register. 
Member Spotlight: Shanel Curtis
Staying Healthy & Making a Positive Difference.
Two sentiments we could all live by, and ones Shanel Curtis demonstrates on a daily basis. Mother of two, running and exercise enthusiast, graduate of Missoula College ' s Culinary Arts Program , Navy veteran, and future school teacher , Shanel lives what she believes. " If I ' m expecting people to adopt what I ' m teaching, I better be living it!

 Please click here to read more about Shanel Curtis
Member Spotlight: Nomination Form
Do you know someone from our Run Wild Missoula community that we should get to know better? With 1,600-plus members, we have a wealth of talent, passion, expertise, inspiration, and enthusiasm for running and walking among us.

Maybe it's someone who's been inspirational to you, achieved an insurmountable goal, demonstrated a courage to start (or re-start!), or clearly exemplifies the club's  core values. Perhaps there's another reason? 

If so, we'd like to hear from you!  Simply complete the form on the RWM website, which can be found HERE, and click submit.
Around Town
Night of the Griz 5K Glow Run, October 7, Missoula, MT, 8:30 p.m. at Caras Park, http://www.nightofthegriz.com 
 
Whitefish Trail Run and Half Marathon, October 9, Whitefish, MT, 10:00 a.m. at Beaver Lakes on the Whitefish Trail. http://www.whitefishlegacy.org/
Run Wild,

 

Chris Everett, Running Wild Newsletter Editor

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