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Michigan Runner Girl

The Michigan Runner Girl podcast is where you'll find a passion for running, hiking, paddling, and cycling crosses paths with a love of nature and outdoor exploration in the beautiful state of Michigan — and beyond. A mother, writer, gigantic Great Lakes fan, and book lover Heather Durocher, creator of the running and travel site MichiganRunnerGirl.com, hosts the show. Expect to hear informative, engaging, and inspiring conversations with others also on their own health and wellness journey. The Michigan Runner Girl podcast is about finding our way, through movement. Season One of 2022 now underway, with a theme of Reconnection.
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Now displaying: September, 2016
Sep 30, 2016
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Farmland 5K Run and Free For All Bike event held each December on the east side of Traverse City. Lisa Taylor, high school cross country coach, frequent podcast guest/co-host  and founder of this race, joins Heather in the studio to talk about Farmland, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 3. Together, they talk through the top 5 reasons for signing up for this race. These touch on the time of year it takes place (no matter the weather -- lots of snow or extremely cold -- it still goes on), the cool swag and post-race party runners and cyclists get to experience, the unique cross country terrain and cycling-run combo components, and lots more. Come north this early-winter (lodging rates in the Traverse City area this time of year are lower) and join Heather and Lisa at this super-fun December race. (Heather might even be giving the run-bike combo a try...just maybe.)

 

Link: FarmlandTC.com 
Sep 22, 2016
Kona Running Co. is known for its numerous races held throughout the year in Michigan, and two upcoming events are featured on this week's show. Marathoner and longtime runner Alan Whitehead, owner of Kona Running Company, joins Heather on the show to talk about the Wicked Halloween Run 10K, 5K & Monster Mile on Sunday, Oct. 30 in Plymouth -- billed as the "largest Halloween run in the state" -- and the Kona Chocolate Run 10K, 5K & Cocoa Mile on November 20 in Plymouth, an event now in its fourth year and known as "Michigan's largest chocolate party." Heather and Alan also talk about Kona Running Co.'s two running speciality stores, in Canton and West Bloomfield; Alan operates these in partnership with Road Runner Sports. Thousands of runners come out for both of these fall racing events -- some 3,800 at the Wicked Halloween Run, many in costumes, an about 5,500 runners at the Chocolate Run. Alan shares what runners can expect to experience at both of these races (sweet swag and delicious post-race food are things Kona Running Co. races are known for).
 
Links:
Kona Running Company: http://konarunningcompany.com
Kona Chocolate Run: http://www.konachocolaterun.com
Wicked Halloween Run: http://www.wickedhalloweenrun.com
Sep 8, 2016
You've likely visited northern Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, either as a kid or with your own family, but have you run this area known nationally (and beyond) for its scenic beauty? The Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, held each October, is an opportunity to explore the Lakeshore on foot. Endurance Evolution is behind this race, which for the first time sold out this year. (But don't fear--there's still a chance for you to run this race! Keep reading for details...) Joel Gaff, race director and founder of Endurance Evolution, joins Heather in the studio to talk about this year's event, which starts in Empire, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The marathon and half marathon courses take runners along the incredibly beautiful Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, while the 5K course is in the quaint village of Empire. All races finish at the same spot at a Lake Michigan beach. Celebrate your race with fellow runners (and Short's beer), then wander over to the nearby Empire Hops Festival. Heather announces a special giveaway -- two free race entries -- during the show, so if you haven't been able to sign up, or you're on the waiting list, be sure to enter the Facebook giveaway.
 
Link: endurance evolution.com

 

Sep 1, 2016
Registration gets underway this week -- Sept. 1! -- for the 2017 Gazelle Girl Half Marathon in Grand Rapids. This annual race tradition, set for Sunday, April 23, 2017, has added a 10K option to its roster of events. Now, runners can choose to take on the 5K, 10K or half marathon. Thousands of female runners take part in Gazelle Girl each spring, with the event raising tens of thousands of dollars for area charities. Runner Holly Visser is the event's new race director and she joins Heather to talk about the 2017 event organized by Gazelle Sports. Holly is a longtime runner who has been involved with the Gazelle Girl event since its beginning in 2013. More than 3,500 runners ran at Gazelle Girl this past spring -- 700 of them were running their very first race ever. Holly talks about why this race is so important to so many women from all around the state and the significance of involving local non-profits. She also shares what this sport means to her personally, her goals as race director, and what she's looking forward to running-wise this fall.
 
Links: 
gazellegirlhalfmarathon.com 
gazellesports.com
 
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